Copyright permission for St. Gregory hymnal?
  • rogue63
    Posts: 410
    My pastor wants to use a hymn from the St. Gregory hymnal for Holy Family this year and print it in a program. To whom or to what would I address my questions for copyright? Who holds the copyright on the St. Gregory hymnal?
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    Last time I ordered the "revised" paperback version 20 years ago, 'twas GIA selling them.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    Does the book itself contain information about the piece in question? The individual contents may or may not be under copyright, and may be owned by people other than the ones who published the hymnal.
  • noel jones, aagonoel jones, aago
    Posts: 6,605
    A search on hymnary.org for a hymn often provides useful copyright information.
  • rogue63
    Posts: 410
    I just called GIA---they're processing my request. Thanks for the speedy info, guys!
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,160
    I have a reprint edition from 2000 by Neumann Press; it seems to be based on a 1941 edition (with supplement). There is no entry in Stanford's copyright renewal database for the book, so I expect that the SATB edition is in the public domain.
    Thanked by 3marymezzo PaxMelodious Don9of11
  • Jeffrey Quick
    Posts: 2,046
    If your selection is found here and hasn't been added in a later edition, and you're in the US, it's public domain.
    Thanked by 1Don9of11
  • gloryrobin
    Posts: 1
    We sang for a Lenten Program using music from the St Gregory Hymnal - 1920 edition last year and we were hoping to sell our recording. It was recorded during the performance. Am told that since the St Gregory Hymnal is older than 75 years and composers may be passed on, that we could use. Understanding the copyrighted laws this seems to fall into a different category, as most composers are now passed on or it is an ancient piece of music.
  • bhcordovabhcordova
    Posts: 1,152
    In the U.S. it would be in the public domain.
  • Joseph Michael
    Posts: 254
    I never knew that the "A" in Nicola A. Montani was Aloysius.
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