David Haas

For the hockey player, see David Haas (ice hockey).

David R Haas, (born in 1957 in Bridgeport, Michigan), is an American author and composer of contemporary Catholic liturgical music. His best known songs include "Blest Are They," "You Are Mine," "We Are Called," "We Have Been Told," "Now We Remain," "The Name of God," "Song of the Body of Christ", and "Glory to God."

Career

Haas studied vocal music performance and conducting at Central Michigan University, and has his degree in theology and music from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.

In addition to serving in parish liturgical ministry in Michigan, Iowa and Minnesota over the years, he also served as composer-in-residence at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity in St. Paul, Minnesota; and was also campus minister and artist-in-residence at Benilde-St. Margaret's in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where he taught in the music and theology departments. In 1999, Haas began the program MUSIC MINISTRY ALIVE!, a five-day liturgical program for youth and adult leaders that takes place on the campus of St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota.[1]

He has produced over forty five original collections and recordings of liturgical music. His printed and recorded collections of music are published with GIA Publications in Chicago, with the exception of a handful of pieces that are published by OCP Publications. He is also the author of over 20 books on the topics of liturgy, music ministry, spirituality, religious education and youth ministry, published with Franciscan Media, Liturgy Training Publications, Crossroad Publishing Company, GIA Publications, and St. Mary's Press). His music is sung throughout the world and appears in hymnals of various Christian denominations, and has been translated into Spanish and French. Years ago, Haas was a leading voice in the liturgical and musical aspects of the implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), active as a team member for the North American Forum on the Catechumenate, and as a composer creating ritual music for the RCIA rites.

Haas is also known for his early collaborations with Michael Joncas and Marty Haugen, and for many years the three of them were an important influence on liturgical music in the English-speaking world, and together they traveled throughout the United States and beyond for many years, presenting concerts and workshops. They remain friends to this day. Haas presently continues traveling as a speaker, workshop leader, and concert performer alone, and often with his friend and colleague, Lori True (whose music is also published by GIA). He formerly wrote a monthly column for Ministry and Liturgy magazine entitled, "Sung Prayer".

Haas lives in Eagan, Minnesota, where he is the director of the Emmaus Center for Music, Prayer and Ministry. In the fall of 2011, Haas began work at Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is a member of the Campus Ministry team there and is leader of the liturgical choir that sings at prayer gatherings throughout the school year. Haas is active as a cantor at St. Cecilia's Parish in St. Paul.

Awards and regognition

Works in contemporary Catholic culture

Haas composes contemporary Catholic liturgical music. Following the movement that began with the St. Louis Jesuits in the 1970s and 1980s, Haas, like Marty Haugen, Michael Joncas and Dan Schutte became one of the most prolific composers of the genre during the period of rapid change following Vatican II. Their hymns, songs, and liturgies are published by GIA Publications in their Gather hymnals,[2] and are also found in other hymnals used by the Catholic Church in the United States and several Protestant denominations. For example, his "You Are Mine," "We Are Called," "Now We Remain," and "Blest Are They" are in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW) hymnal used by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Personal life

Haas married fellow composer Jeanne Cotter in October 1988. He later filed for divorce in March 1995.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Haas, David. "From the Director". MUSIC MINISTRY ALIVE!. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
  2. ↑ http://www.giamusic.com/sacred_music//
  3. ↑ "MINNESOTA MARRIAGE RECORDS". Retrieved June 3, 2014.

External links