David Haas

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David Haas, (born in 1958 in Bridgeport, Michigan), is an American author and composer of liturgical music, primarily for Roman Catholic congregations. He is among the most widely-sung living liturgical composers today.

Haas lives in Eagan, Minnesota where he is the Director of the Emmaus Center for Music, Prayer and Ministry. He is also Campus Minister and Artist in Residence at Benilde-St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where he teaches in the music and theology departments.

Haas has produced over forty original collections and recordings of liturgical music. His music is sung throughout the world and appears in many hymnals of various denominations and languages. His best-known works include sacred songs and hymns, including "Blest Are They", "We Have Been Told", "You Are Mine", "Song of the Body of Christ" and "We Will Rise Again", as well as several Masses, collections of ritual music, and collections of psalm settings and paraphrases.

[edit] Controversial aspects of his music

Main article: Contemporary Catholic liturgical music

David Haas' music, along with that of several other musicians who compose music in the same or similar styles, is commonly used in the Mass and other Catholic liturgies today throughout the English-speaking world. The style of this music, along with its widespread use, engenders strong feelings both for and against this music. For many years there has been a lot of controversy regarding the quality of this music and regarding its suitability for Catholic liturgies.