ABOUT | Musicapacis

HISTORY

"We are urged to sing a new song to the Lord, as new men who have learned a new song.

A song is a thing of joy; more profoundly, it is a thing of love.

Anyone, therefore, who has learned to love the new life has learned to sing a new song,

and the new song reminds us of our new life."

- St. Augustine

Musica Pacis was established in 1987, when Fr. Willard Jabusch and Fr. Alec Wolff embarked on a project called, "Willard's Other Adventures in Music." Prior to that date, Fr. Jabusch received his doctorate in performance studies from Northwestern University. His works are well-known in parishes across the country: Whatsoever You Do, The King of Glory, and many others.

Shortly after the establishment of Musica Pacis, Fr. Jabusch and Fr. Wolff were present to watch their operetta "Francesco," about the life of St. Francis of Assisi, staged at Orchestra Hall by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with Sir Georg Solti conducting.

Thereafter, Musica Pacis came to include the composer Robert Kreutz, best known for "Gift of Finest Wheat," created for the International Eucharistic Congress of 1976, and which became a staple of Anglophone liturgical music. Kreutz went on to compose "Missa Immaculata" for the 150th anniversary of Immaculate Conception Parish in Highland Park, Illionis. It was the last work he wrote before his death.

Today, Musica Pacis is under the leadership of Fr. Scott Haynes, an accomplished conductor and organist, and, most importantly, a composer of sacred music in memory of those who have gone before him. Fr. Wolff continues on the board of directors, and Musica Pacis involves laity, seminarians, and any who believe that the worship of God is aided through the beautiful gift of music.

MISSION

Musica Pacis seeks to spread peace through the beauty of sacred music. While fostering and promoting the rich tradition of music, which is the patrimony of the Catholic Church, Musica Pacis also supports the creation of new sacred music to add to this inestimable treasury.

To support its mission, Musica Pacis educates Catholics in music, art, liturgy, catechetics, spirituality, theology, and other religious subjects, through musical productions, concerts, lectures, recordings, publications, and other artistic endeavors.

Musica Pacis will hold the copyrights, trademarks, publications, licenses, and other intellectual property of musical composers and authors, with emphasis on promoting the sacred, religious, and liturgical musical tradition of the Catholic Church.

In order to support its mission, Musica Pacis will operate an outlet to publish, create, and distribute musical publications, books, audiovisual and other media, and religious goods.

PRESIDENT

Rev. Scott A. Haynes has a career in sacred music spanning three decades. He has made numerous recordings for the Sony Masterworks label.

As an organ and choral scholar at Washington’s National Cathedral from 1994-98, Fr. Haynes studied under the tutelage of Dr. Douglas Major, Organist and Choirmaster.

Fr. Haynes completed choral conducting studies at the University of Alabama under Dr. Sandra Willets, complimented by post-graduate studies with Dr. James Jordan at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey.

Having studied composition under Dr. Frederic Goosen, he won the American Society of Composers and Arrangers’ Raymond Hubbell Award for orchestral composition in 1992.

Ordained in 2007 for the Archdiocese of Chicago, he served as Prefect of Liturgy and Music at St. John Cantius Church in Chicago from 2006-2019, directing the parish choirs and orchestra.

As composer, arranger and editor, Fr. Haynes's work has written a wide range of liturgical music, which is available through Ignatius Press, St. Benedict Press, and Musica Pacis.

Community Outreach

We at Musica Pacis believe strongly in giving back to the community through our gift of music. Through concerts, educational seminars, publications, and personal contact, we spread the spirit of peace through the gift of music.