The GIA Composer's Collection seeks to bring together into one place the master works by some of the most respected Wind Symphony composers of all time. Stunningly performed by the North Texas Wind Symphony under the direction of Eugene Corporon, this series also includes extensive liner notes about the composers and their contributions to the Wind Band. Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) is perhaps the first American-born composer to achieve worldwide fame and recognition, but as Ned Rorem pointed out: "His books and lectures have re-shaped the way America listens, and his mastery of keyboard and podium has defined the notion of American performance." This stellar recording of Bernstein's great works features Eugene Migliaro Corporon directing the North Texas Wind Symphony, giving exceptional life to this wonderful music, including Overture to Candide and JFK Fanfare. This recording is spectacular on every level-a showcase of great music recorded by one of the great wind symphonies of our time.

Chris de Silva’s welcoming composition style has a contemporary feel that is easy to grasp and facilitates the full and active participation of the congregation. Many of the songs in this collection are part of GIA’s growing LeavenSong series, which contains quality music with a contemporary sound for today’s choirs and ensembles. Many of de Silva’s songs are also included in the Cross Generation songbook, a compilation of the very best songs currently in use in contemporary worship settings. The recording is exciting to listen to and can help ensembles learn the music for their own presentations. “This Is the Day” and “Love beyond All Telling” both express our delight in knowing God. “Come to Me and Rest” is a beautiful song of comfort and consolation. “Make Us Your Own” is a carefree declaration of faithfulness. The poignant words of Christ, “Eli lema sabachthani,” echo throughout the text of “My Savior, My Friend.”

This release by Carol Browning intertwines songs heralding the coming of Christ with songs celebrating our own return to the Lord. Her rich arrangements give depth to her inspiring texts. The selections on this recording are filled with an emotion of longing. Many songs on this recording are perfect for use at funerals and memorial services. Your fall remembrance services will have an air of added tenderness with “We Remember—Reading of Names.” As the pastoral musician in a culturally diverse parish, Carol also brings to this project her experience with not only bilingual but trilingual liturgical music.

In his new collection, Paul Melley courageously examines what the love of God truly means to each of us. The poignant lament “Other Side of Prayer” profoundly expresses Paul’s own struggle with the complexity and paradox of our faith. In “Awoken,” Paul offers an enlightening glimpse at the miracle and sacredness of life. “Fill Us with Your Love” illustrates our joyful response to encountering God’s affection while the thoughtful hope of “New Creation” praises the Maker’s ability to fashion us as lovely, despite our shortcomings. With exquisite grace, “Set Me As a Seal” tenderly extols the beauty found in the sacrament of marriage. Song after song, this music powerfully illustrates the unconditional nature of God’s love, our endeavor to love God in return, and our challenge to love one another as God loves us. The messages contained in God Is Love offer comfort and invite us to enter into a deeper relationship with God, to be filled with the love of Christ Jesus, and to accept God’s call to pour out our love like a libation to the world.

David Haas and friends invite you to celebrate Christmas in a fresh way with the release of his new collection, Star Child. A combination of recent orginal compositions and special arrangements of traditional favorites, this musical celebration will stir joy and reflection. New, evocative texts by Brian Wren, Ruth Duck, Jaroslav Vajda, Timothy Dudley-Smith, Shirley Erena Murray, and others are featured in this collection, and the vocal and instrumental arrangements will challenge many parish and liturgical ensembles. All selections will be available in octavo format, perfect for Christmas celebrations; and with a fresh sound for the season, this innovative recording makes a wonderful gift for any music lover.

A collection of contemporary music.

There's a new voice and a fresh sound in liturgical music coming from a 21-year-old composer named Michael Mahler! This music is ideal for today's contemporary ensemble. With strong, singable refrains, the assembly is the primary voice, while the solo and ensemble parts, vocal and instrumental, are fresh and inspired! "Give the Lord Your Heart" is a wonderful example of Mike's ability to engage the congregation with a great refrain. "Starshine is a hauntingly beautiful Christmas tune with an intriguing original text. "My Love Will Enfold You" makes a wonderful guitar-based wedding solo or duet where the assembly could be welcomed in on the final stanzas. Finally, a newly recorded version of Mike's top-selling "Give Us Your Peace" rounds out this outstanding new collection. Definitely not to be missed!

With this recording, Gerald Custer firmly establishes himself as a major talent in choral composition. Gloriously performed by the voices of Anam Cara, conducted by James Jordan, this CD is simply breathtaking. As beautiful as this music is, most is readily accessible to high school and college choirs, and is published as part of GIA’s Evoking Sound Choral Series. This project is a culmination of a remarkable friendship and true synergy between Custer and Anam Cara. Writes Jordan: “I hope this recording will serve to introduce you to this honest, fresh, and gifted compositional voice. Gerald Custer is an amazing combination of composer, poet, and scholar, which produces choral music of not only great beauty but also profound message…As choral musicians, we all know that great choral music takes us on such profound inner journeys.” This recording certainly achieves its ambitious goals.

From composer and pianist Chris de Silva comes this stunning collection of exquisite music for solo piano. Fresh arrangements of beloved tunes evoke unexpected moments of beauty and grace. Original compositions reveal a depth of faith and a mastery of the keyboard in ways that give voice to all the colors of life. Let the recording lead you into deep personal prayer and meditation. Let the carefully crafted printed music be an invitation to share this music in your church as preludes and meditations throughout the liturgical year. This recording will pull you in from the first notes and carry you to the last.

Reunited for a fourth time, the talents of John L. Bell and the voices of Chicago's Cathedral Singers combine to produce a truly remarkable recording of top-notch choral music with Take This Moment! Like much of John Bell's work, Take This Moment sends us soaring around the globe, featuring such pieces as "Te Ensalzarÿ, SeËor," a lively, bilingual setting of Psalm 30 commissioned by the Diocese of Austin, Texas. The lovely Easter text of "While Earth Remains" is set to an exquisite Korean tune, while "I Bow My Head in Prayer" takes us back to John Bell's homeland with an ancient Scottish-Celtic text set to an even older Celtic melody. Also featured on this recording, making his debut with the Cathedral Singers, is GIA composer and guitarist Stephen Petrunak! The rich, full music in this collection is intended for parish choirs with options of three- or four-part harmony. Take This Moment is simply a glorious collection of choral works that is as enjoyable for the music-loving listener to hear as it is for the musician to perform!

Relive the glory of classic Catholic favorites... all in Latin! The Cathedral Singers of Chicago along with conductor Richard Proulx beautifully interpret 22 beloved songs, including Schubert's "Ave Maria," Franck's "Panis Angelicus," and Webbe's "Tantum Ergo." Accompanied by organist Aaron Miller with an ensemble of strings and harp, this recording is a "must-have" for any music collection. It is a sonically stunning recording of simply brilliant performances as only Richard Proulx can provide. The songs contained in the volumes of the Catholic Classics series have stood the test of time. These are definitive Catholic songs-the one's that are always popular, that everyone sings, knows by heart, and wants to hear over and over again. Perhaps best of all, Catholic Classics is not "for Catholics only." Catholics are joined by Christians across the other denominations in singing these wonderful and beloved hymns.

The first new collection from John L. Bell featuring the Cathedral Singers and the Iona Community since 2001. Beautifully recorded by the Cathedral Singers under the direction of Bill Chin, this new collection features a perfect mix of new world music and choral favorites. The Splendour of the House of God is a collection of texts that “speak of God to God’s people or for God’s people to God.” These songs for worship have existed in the Iona repertoire for some time and have proven their worth. Today, the Iona Community shares these brilliant texts with the world. All of the texts in this collection speak, in one way or another, to what is involved in public worship—from physical buildings to living our faith in the world. The Splendour of the House of God was premiered at the 2011 NPM National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.

With Great Love is a moving collection of songs that speak of God's love at work in us. These songs are fashioned for use throughout the liturgical year, enriching everything from the most intimate of prayer services to the most majestic of Christmas liturgies. The title track, “With Great Love,” is a beautiful message based on the writings of Blessed Teresa. It is a gentle call to action that is easily learned, enabling quick and active participation. Many of the tracks combine Latin with English lyrics. Moved by the simplicity and pure beauty of plainchant, de Silva weaves both languages seamlessly in a fusion of ageless text and contemporary melody, effectively preserving our traditions while presenting them in a modern, singable setting. Another notable inclusion, “God Will Lead Us Home,” contains a beautiful choral interlude on in paradisum that suspends the passing of time. There is a place in your library, your liturgies, and your hearts for every song in this collection.

This second release in the GIA ChoralWorks series is a captivating choral recording that simply makes great listening. The selections on Musicks Empire speak for themselves, an engaging mixture of contemporary writing as well as timeless classics. The North Texas Chamber Choir, a project choir based in Denton, Texas, comprises members of the renowned University of North Texas A Cappella Choir and the Texas Choral Artists, a professional chamber choir based in Dallas. Founded in 1938, the University of North Texas A Cappella Choir has enjoyed a rich performance history, including a U.S. State Department sponsored tour of Europe, featured performances for numerous prestigious professional conventions, and participation in numerous world premiers of significant works for chorus.

Long a singing talent on the recordings of David Haas, Marty Haugen, and others, Lori True now emerges as a bright new composer with a voice of her own in A Place at the Table. This impressive debut by a major new liturgical voice is a well-rounded collection of music you'll use again and again. The title song, with an evocative text by Shirley Erena Murray, was introduced to an enthusiastic crowd at the 2001 National NPM Convention. Texts by established hymn writers Ruth Duck, Brian Wren, and Sylvia Dunstan, as well as original texts by the composer, are also paired with Lori's truly singable melodies. Plus, this is simply a great-sounding recording.