A native of Atlanta and a Doctorate graduate of the University of Michigan, Carlos Simon describes his music as influenced by jazz, gospel and neo-romanticism. He was named one of the three recipients of the 2021 Sphinx Medal of Excellence. He is currently on the music faculty of Georgetown University, and also Composer-in-Residence for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Simon's music ranges from concert music for large and small ensembles to film scores.

Originally composed for symphony band in 2017 and arranged for symphony orchestra in 2019, Amen! pays "...homage to my family's four generational affiliation with the Pentecostal church. My intent is to re-create the musical experience of an African American Pentecostal church service that I enjoyed being a part of while growing up in this denomination,... are known for their exuberant outward expressions of worship. The worship services in these churches will often have joyous dancing, spontaneous shouting, and soulful singing. The music in these worship services is a vital vehicle in fostering a genuine spiritual experience for the congregation."

The three parts are played without a break. The first depicts the sound of an exuberant choir and congregation singing harmoniously together in a call and response fashion, the second quotes a gospel song, "I'll Take Jesus For Mine” that I frequently heard in many services. The cadence of Amen is the focal point of the climax in the final movement.