The Gregorian Institute of America (GIA) announced today that World Library Publications (WLP) will become a division of GIA Publications, Inc., effective January 2, 2020.
GIA expressed itself honored to be the steward of such a respected catalog of publications, subscription services, and other sacred resources, and thrilled to announce this new development.
Omer Westendorf founded World Library Publications in 1950 in Cincinnati, Ohio, as World Library of Sacred Music. In 1971, the J.S. Paluch Company acquired WLP. Currently, the company produces choral music, music collections and songbooks, recordings, books, resources for the RCIA, and artwork. WLP also provides clinicians for workshops and choral reading sessions.
Mary Lou Rafferty, owner of World Library Publications, said, “I am so grateful and proud of the quality and richness World Library Publications has shared with the Catholic Church for almost 50 years as the music and liturgy division of J.S. Paluch. The legacy of WLP will continue to enhance the singing and praying Catholic Church as part of GIA. We have provided wonderful pastoral resources to parishes and homes worldwide since 1971 and I am indebted to the World Library of Sacred Music founder Omer Westendorf, as well as to J.S. Paluch’s foreparents, founder John S. Paluch and former owners Chester J. and Margaret ‘Mickey’ A. Paluch.”
Alec Harris, President of GIA, said, “We are humbled by the opportunity to build on the legacy of World Library Publications. We are committed to being dedicated stewards of this truly great liturgical music catalog, as well as of the wonderful composers that WLP represents. We look forward to a future of continued innovation and growth.”
GIA continues to be a leader in church music and liturgical music publishing, and is a recognized publisher of cutting-edge music education resources, including a growing catalog of music for school and community choirs.
“Acquiring the catalog of World Library Publications will significantly enhance our ability to serve the singing church across this nation and abroad,” Harris said.
“With a continued commitment to build upon the strong foundation of sung prayer, GIA is excited to collaborate with some of the most prominent names in the Catholic music publishing industry,” said GIA Senior Managing Editor Kate Williams. “The subscription services provided by WLP will continue without pause and the WLP and GIA editorial teams will combine forces to preserve a lasting legacy of sacred music, while developing high-quality musical resources for the various worship styles and modes of today’s church.”
Founded in 1941, GIA Publications, Inc. is a family-owned company with more than 10,000 choral and instrumental editions in print, as well as hymnals, recordings, and a wide variety of music education resources.
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