Alec Harris

GIA Publications, Inc. is committed to providing high-quality sacred music resources plus a wealth of music education resources with the most advanced research and pedagogy in the field today. GIA was originally founded in 1941 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the Gregorian Institute of America. Under the leadership of Clifford Bennett, the company was the source of a highly respected correspondence course for choir directors interested in learning Gregorian Chant. In 1967, the Harris family, along with editor Bob Batastini took over the business and moved it to Chicago, Illinois. After the Second Vatican Council, when numerous forms of song were introduced in the liturgy, the institute dropped the chant courses and continued to develop as one of the most respected publishers of liturgical music in the country, expanding its catalog to include music for virtually all Christian denominations and a growing line of music education products. The name GIA Publications, Inc. was adopted and the rest is history. All of this adds up to more than 50 years of striving for excellence and innovation, and we are not finished yet! GIA not only developed its sacred roots, but also those involving music education. The music education division continues to expand, attracting top-notch authors, composers, and musicians. GIA acquired the acclaimed choral music catalog, Walton Music, in 2014. In 2020, GIA acquired WLP Publications and Meredith Music publications, adding amazing additional music education texts and music publications serving the Catholic church. GIA is also co-owner of ONE LICENSE, a service that helps churches do more with music, including podcast and stream services containing copyrighted music. Of course GIA not forgotten its roots. GIA still offers more Gregorian chant resources than anyone in the industry, including the highly respected Solesmes editions.