El Paso Students Discover They Are God’s Masterpieces

El Paso, Texas: El Paso’s 8^th Annual Music and Arts Conservatory concluded joyfully on Sunday, July 12, with a graduation concert held at the El Paso Citadel Corps. This local conservatory was established in response to the unique challenges posed by the distance to Camp Hoblitzelle in Dallas, making advanced music training more accessible to El Paso youth.

The four-week program welcomed 35 students, ages 9–14, for training in brass, choir, guitar, drama and creative arts. This year’s theme, “Masterpiece,” was inspired by Ephesians 2:10, reminding students that they are God’s masterpiece, created with purpose and given unique gifts to share with others.

Performances are a central part of that journey. Throughout the program, students participated in two Sunday worship services where they led in music, scripture and drama — helping transition students from classroom practice to meaningful public ministry. 

As part of the graduation concert, students performed in brass bands, guitar ensembles, choirs, skits and dramatic readings, showcasing the progress they made in just four weeks.

Standout moments included “Masterpiece” by the mass choir; a piccolo trumpet solo of “Concerto in D Major” by instructor Diego Enriquez; and a heartfelt performance of “Hallelujah” by the guitar ensemble, led by instructor Dominick Rojas. Drama students also took the stage with a playful skit, “The Unforgiving Cook,” directed by corps sergeant-major Leslie Martinez. Creative arts students performed “Climb, Climb Up Sunshine Mountain” on timbrels under the instruction of young people sergeant-major Jessica Sawyer.

The program has grown significantly since it began as a small corps-based effort. Today, it primarily serves the wider El Paso community. Staff and volunteers noted that the growing geographic reach of the conservatory reflects its impact beyond the walls of the corps and its ability to connect with families throughout the El Paso area.

The graduation concert was not just a final performance but a celebration of transformation. Students who arrived unsure of their abilities left as confident performers and growing leaders.

Each student was recognized with a certificate and medal for their hard work, and five top students received trophies for outstanding achievement.

“The conservatory is about so much more than learning music,” said Jessica Sawyer. “We get to see students grow in confidence and participate in ministry. Being part of that journey is pretty special.”

By Joanna Estrada | Photo by Joanna Estrada

Conductor, Composer and Music Instructor: Jim Curnow’s Musical Ministry

Most Salvation Army musicians will know the name James Curnow. Jim is the embodiment of Army music, dedicating his life to vocal and instrumental instruction of young people and to further the mission through more than 800 scores and compositions.

Jim’s influence extends beyond the Salvation Army world. A few of his commissions include the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, the United States Army Band (Pershing’s Own), the Atlanta Committee for the (1996) Olympic Games. His many awards include the ASBDA/Volkwein Composition Award (1977 and 1979); the American Bandmasters Association/Oswald Award (twice); and the International Coup de Vents Composition Competition of Le Havre, France.

“When I decided to begin a music career I really wanted to make my living as a composer, but several people said that I would never be able to make a living by only writing music,” Jim muses. “So, I became a music education student and took many extra composition courses at the same time.” As a graduate of Wayne State University, Jim went on to earn his master’s degree in music and composition at Michigan State University. This approach set him up for a lifetime dedicated to music instruction and composition, both sacred and secular.

Jim’s introduction to music came as an eight-year-old at the Port Huron, MI corps, where he benefitted from an outstanding beginner band program. “I started playing the cornet, very unsuccessfully. Someone, in their infinite wisdom and with great kindness, saw that I would never make it as a cornet player, so they switched me to euphonium in the junior band and I quickly found my home as a player.”

When the Curnow family moved to Royal Oak, MI, another excellent music program took over. “Many people and many organizations gave me the privilege of being involved in music everyday of every week,” such as school and church groups, Jim says. “Great teachers, both at the Royal Oak corps (Bandmaster Max Wood) and in public school and university (Russell Peters and Dr. Harry Begian) encouraged me to continue.” Jim’s primary inspiration came from Bandmaster Wood, who encouraged his students to write and experiment with new concepts and ideas. “If we wrote a piece for the band, we would also be required to conduct the piece while he wrote critiques of both our writing and conducting. An unbelievable free education!”

His loving and supportive wife, Marge, has been alongside him for over 60 years of ministry. From her home corps in Pontiac, MI, Marge was 11 and Jim was 13 when they met at an divisional music camp. It was there that Jim gave his heart to the Lord. “But it wasn’t until I met some Salvationists from Asbury University at a divisional music rally and saw the depth of their Christian commitment, that I decided to attend [that] university. While at Asbury on one of the Salvation Army Student Fellowship Band’s ministry trips to Atlanta, GA, I gave my life — and my music — to Christ.”

Marge has since followed her husband to serve in a string of small to medium corps, depending on the college where Jim was working (Mott Community College; University of Wisconsin; University of Illinois; Asbury University; Georgia State University).

Jim served as interim editor of music publications for the Eastern Territory, and later as editor of all music publications for 31 years for the Southern Territory (alongside another Army music giant, Dr. Richard Holz). Along the way, the Curnows ministered as Sunday school teachers, children’s choir leaders, corps cadet instructors, and as bandsmen and songsters. Jim also became corps sergeant-major at Atlanta Temple and was later tapped as the first territorial sergeant-major for the Southern Territory.

While working as music editor, “Dr. Holz and I began the American Instrumental Ensemble Series in 1986, preparing the format, layout, instrumentation and music,” Jim explains. “Later we began the Sing Praise Series (three-part choral), and Children’s Praise (one part, with an optional second part) for young voices with simple piano accompaniment.”

Jim Curnow continues to believe that as a worldwide organization, The Salvation Army has an incredible opportunity to reach out to our communities and bring people to Christ. “For me, giving my life to the Lord through the ministry of The Salvation Army, I have always wanted to help others do the same,” Jim says. “The music aspect of the Army was such a vital part of what drew me to musical ministry … my desire has been to draw people to Christ through this type of ministry and all the other Army programs available!”

By Major Frank Duracher | Photo courtesy of Major Frank Duracher

National Seminars Offer Two Tracks at One Event

Midlothian, Texas: “I had a dream…” With those words, Commissioner Dawn Heatwole, National Secretary for Program, described her vision from the National Seminar on Holiness (NSH) in 2025 — a vision of Salvationists from throughout the Americas and Caribbean Zone gathering together, being blessed and enriched by resources not always readily available in their home territories.

That dream became reality August 15–21, 2026, at The Salvation Army’s Camp Hoblitzelle near Dallas, TX, as more than 200 officers and soldiers gathered for the first combined NSH and National Seminar on Evangelism (NSE).

More than 20 delegates came from outside the United States, representing the territories of Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America North, Brazil, South America East and South America West. Spanish translation was provided for delegates on both seminar tracks, further strengthening the gathering’s international character.

The NSH theme, “Divine Current: Moving with the Heart of the Father,” invited delegates to consider what it means to live in the transforming presence of God. Envoy (Dr.) Bill Ury and Envoy Diane Ury served as the primary speakers, bringing teaching and encouragement centered on the life of holiness for every believer.

Delegates gained insights from workshops including “Conversations to Holiness,” “Practical Holiness,” “Theater That Is Set Apart,” “Discipleship and Holiness,” “Emotionally Sanctified Ministry” and “Music in Worship.” Small groups provided another avenue for spiritual formation, drawing on John Wesley’s understanding of small groups as places where believers can encourage one another, grow in faith and pursue holiness together.

Near the close of NSH, delegates participated in a covenant service. Officers and delegates were invited to sign a personal covenant between themselves and God. The service offered a solemn and deeply personal opportunity to affirm a renewed commitment to a life surrendered wholly to God.

The NSE theme, “Amplify: Your Story. His Power. Their Hope,” focused on equipping Salvationists to share the gospel in ways that reflect how God has uniquely gifted them. “So many people are afraid of evangelism because of all the stereotypes,” said Major Sheri Jones, Assistant National Secretary for Program, “when it really comes down to being the person God created you to be.” Drawing on Mark Mittleberg’s Contagious Faith: Discover Your Natural Style for Sharing Jesus with Others, delegates identified their natural evangelism styles: friendship building, selfless serving, story sharing, reason giving and truth telling.

The NSE experience moved from teaching to practice. Delegates participated in ministry team meetings designed to help them apply what they were learning, culminating in NSE’s first-ever Evangelism Practicum. The practicum gave participants an opportunity to put evangelistic principles into action and consider how their individual gifts can be used to make Christ known and to bring people to saving faith.

Both seminar tracks were also enriched by the ministry of the Eastern Territory’s two-person musical, Skeleton Army. Set on the poverty-stricken streets of Whitechapel in London, the musical portrays two armies preparing for battle: the Skeletons, fighting for the comforts of the present, and Salvationists, fighting for the hope of tomorrow. At the center is Charles Jeffries, a charismatic young leader of the Skeleton Army, who eventually comes to salvation, joins The Salvation Army and becomes an officer himself.

The week was, in many ways, a fulfillment of Commissioner Heatwole’s dream: Salvationists from across the zone gathered, learned, worshiped, encouraged one another and returned to their fields of service equipped for deeper holiness and more effective evangelism.

All Salvationists should prayerfully consider attending the next combined NSE and NSH, scheduled for March 2028. Come expecting God to deepen your walk, strengthen your witness and use your story to amplify His love and power and bring hope to others.

Army Archives: EDS Teddy Bear from the 1993 Mississippi River Flood

Atlanta, Georgia: This small bear, outfitted with a life preserver, was given to children displaced during the 1993 Mississippi River flood, offering a tangible reminder of The Salvation Army’s compassionate response to those affected by disaster.

Photo courtesy of The Salvation Army Central Territory Museum