Marty Haugen

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Marty Haugen, (born December 28, 1950 in Wanamingo, Minnesota), is an American composer of liturgical music for both Roman Catholic and Protestant congregations. He is probably the most widely-sung living liturgical composer today.

Though the recipient of a psychology degree from Luther College, after graduating Haugen pursued a career as a musician. His best-known works are the large-scale Holden Evening Prayer and Mass of Creation. He has also produced many sacred songs and hymns, including "Gather Us In", "Canticle of the Sun", "We Are Many Parts", "We Remember" and "Shepherd Me, O God", as well as several psalm settings and paraphrases.

[edit] Controversial aspects of his music

Main article: Contemporary Catholic liturgical music

Marty Haugen's 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.