Printing permissions for Mass setting from 2010?
  • michael_in_MI
    Posts: 12
    Does anyone know where to get printing permissions for James McGregor's "Missa Verbum Caro" after Hans Hassler's motet? I've found it in two resources - the Kyrie and Sanctus in The Hymnal 1982 (Episcopal USA) and a slightly different full version in the St. Michael's Hymnal. I went through the Jakob Hassler Missa Verbum Caro and found not much overlap. I used McGregor's setting in the past just utilizing the free downloads from St. Michael's, but this time I want to engrave it myself and include the parts directly in a seasonal liturgy book.
  • RoborgelmeisterRoborgelmeister
    Posts: 177
    Try inquiring the Director of Music at Grace Church Newark, Wolff Roos​, music@gracechurchinnewark.org
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,912
    Why not just message the St. Michæl Hymnal editors? They clearly obtained copyright. Moreover, there would be a copyright notice on their version which is probably informative.
    Thanked by 1irishtenor
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,912
    As expected (since curiosity got the better of me) the copyright notice in the StMH is:James McGregor
    Music © 2010, James McGregor

    So, James McGregor's estate is who you need to approach for copyright. Pretty straightforward in the technical sense, although where you'd track them down might be less-so. So once again, I'd reach out to StMH editors. They would have a contact.
  • RoborgelmeisterRoborgelmeister
    Posts: 177
    Grace Church would be the first place to ask. They still have many of his plainsong chants on their website, and still use some portions of Mass ordinaries he composed.
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,220
    A downloadable version is on the SMH website at:
    https://www.stmichaelhymnal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Missa-Verbum-Caro-FULL-SCORE.pdf
    https://www.stmichaelhymnal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Missa-Verbum-Caro-ASSEMBLY-CARD.pdf
    and the website describes it as "free music":
    https://www.stmichaelhymnal.com/download-hymns/free-music/

    so people at least have permission to download it :-)
    Thanked by 1irishtenor
  • michael_in_MI
    Posts: 12
    Thanks for all the replies! I heard back from St. Michael's:

    "We were given permission by James McGregor before he died to post the Mass setting on our website for free download. However, the copyright is still in his name, and so we are not able to give permission for any changes.

    "In our experience with Mr. McGregor, we always found him to be genuinely humble and easy to work with. I do not believe that he would mind a couple of small textual changes, but we do not have the authority to grant such permission."

    So I may be in the clear to do what I have planned (re-engrave Sanctus exactly as written on the downloadable pew card, and the Agnus with changes "sin" instead of "sins" and "grant us _your_ peace"), but they can't guarantee it.

    I e-mailed Mr. Roos also, but have yet to hear back from him.
    Thanked by 1Roborgelmeister
  • michael_in_MI
    Posts: 12
    I heard back earlier today from Mr. Roos, who very kindly sent me his file that includes the two scans from the 1982 accompaniment edition as well as an Agnus according to 1928 Anglican use (music very different from the 2010 Agnus in St Michael's), and also a Gloria I hadn't been aware of (tune somewhat like Jakob Hassler's Kyrie). I had wondered where to find the rest of McGregor's 1976 Episcopal Mass!
    Thanked by 1Roborgelmeister
Add a Comment