This episode of Ministry Monday is brought to you by CLEF – Catholic Liturgical Ensemble Formation.

 CLEF offers in-person and online resources for ensemble musicians, including 2025 CLEF Ensemble Workshops in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in August and St. Louis, Missouri, in September. All vocalists and instrumentalists are welcome at these two-day workshops. Visit clef.life for details about the workshops and other resources.

The musical world (both in music education, technology, and music ministry) has been adjusting to the reality of a world without Finale. It’s been a guiding post in music notation software for many musicians. It’s the software I learned on in music school. But sadly, after announcing last year that MakeMusic (Finale’s parent company) would no longer support new software updates, it was time to begin shopping for another option.

Today’s episode of Ministry Monday features the prelude to a 4-part series on music notation software that NPM offered in the spring of 2024. While we invite you to watch all sessions if you’re an NPM member (as it is a membership benefit), we offer a segment of the first episode which featured a discussion on copyright licensing within the paradigm of music notation software. To put it bluntly, we ask: are we allowed to re-engrave on music notation software, for the sake of a unified worship aid? If so, how do we report? And many more questions.

For more information on Dorico, a music notation software which has become the frontrunner for Finale’s replacement, check out the article written by Tony Ward in the July edition of Pastoral Music magazine. It’s a resource that’s yet another benefit of an NPM membership. (Have I sold you on renewing your membership yet?)

This episode of Ministry Monday is sponsored by Allen Organ Company. GENISYS Organs with APEX Technology offer superior sound, technology, and sustainability.

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This week's episode of Ministry Monday features composer and NPM member Luke Rosen. In this replay episode from October 2023, Luke shares his reflections on the many things a pastoral musician can consider as they compose music, whether it's for a parish music ministry or just for personal enjoyment.

This episode of Ministry Monday is brought to you by CLEF – Catholic Liturgical Ensemble Formation.

CLEF offers in-person and online resources for ensemble musicians, including 2025 CLEF Ensemble Workshops in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in August and St. Louis, Missouri, in September. All vocalists and instrumentalists are welcome at these two-day workshops. Visit clef.life for details about the workshops and other resources.

Today on Ministry Monday we speak with Kathleen Pluth, hymn text author and translator whose work frequently appears in the prayer guide Magnificat, GIA Publications, and CanticaNova. Her hymn text, "Let the Earth Acclaim Christ Jesus," was chosen as the official hymn for the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress. She also wrote a hymn titled, "Hymn for the Soul of a Pope", which she offered for free during the month of May as many parishes honored the life of Pope Francis. Today Kathleen and I talk about all things hymnody: What is "hymnody"? Are there guiding documents that help us to discern the considerations of hymnody? And more.