Jubilate Music Group: 10 Years Young / 150+ Years Strong
A Legacy of Vision, Heritage, and Song
Introduction: A Unified Vision
Jubilate Music Group was born from a remarkable convergence of vision, mission, and providence. Founded in 2015 with its official first day of business January 1, 2016, JMG brings together three influential publishing legacies: Alfred Sacred, Jubilate Music, and H.W. Gray - each with deep roots in the church, educational, and classical music worlds. Taken together, the catalogs that comprise Jubilate Music Group represent more than 150 years of cumulative publishing heritage...the inspiration behind our 10th anniversary theme: 10 Years Young: 150+Years Strong.
As these catalogs joined under one banner, a uniquely diverse family of sacred and secular music emerged: choral, vocal, handbell, piano, organ, hymnody, instrumental, and resource offerings for musicians of every age.
“A song of joy and triumph.”
This is both the meaning of our name and the story of how Jubilate came to be.
Our Combined Heritage
Founded 1989
Born during a time of rapid expansion in church music publishing, Alfred Sacred quickly became a leader in accessible, graded sacred choral and handbell music. Visionaries Morton Manus and Jean Anne Shafferman, with important early contributions from Sally K. Albrecht, Jay Althouse, Anna Laura Page and other renowned writers shaped a catalog that served the full church music ministry…from children’s choirs to senior adults. Many of its early publications remain vibrant parts of the catalog today.
Founded 2009
Created by Mark Cabaniss during his leadership at Word Music, Jubilate Music sought to serve the traditional, mainline church with fresh, thoughtful sacred music. The 2010 debut release, featuring works by Allen Pote, Mary McDonald, Joel Raney, Joseph Martin, Hal Hopson, and others was met with immediate enthusiasm.
In 2013, Cabaniss acquired the Jubilate catalog and brought it to Alfred Music, where it joined and strengthened the Alfred Sacred division.
Founded 1906
The oldest strand in the Jubilate tapestry, H.W. Gray began in New York City as the American distributor for Novello & Company before establishing its own renowned publishing line of choral and organ music.
Over more than a century, H.W. Gray published works by:
Leo Sowerby (Pulitzer Prize, 1946)
Arnold Schoenberg
Virgil Thomson
Jane Marshall
Healey Willan
Eleanor Daley
…and many others whose works shaped 20th-century sacred and classical repertoire.
Its catalog includes treasures such as Messa di Gloria, Stabat Mater, The First Song of Isaiah, and Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether.
Expansion Through Historic Catalogs
Through key acquisitions and mergers, Jubilate Music Group is the home to sacred (and select secular) works from these storied music publishing catalogs:
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Warner Bros. Publications / Belwin-Mills (sacred titles)
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Gordon V. Thompson (sacred and selected secular titles)
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J. Fischer & Bro.
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Paul A. Schmitt Music
Together, these collections represent a breathtaking 150+ years of musical heritage, preserved and carried forward to today’s church, classroom, and concert hall.
The Birth of Jubilate Music Group (2016)
In 2016, preceding Alfred Music’s official acquisition by Peaksware Holdings and with the blessing of Alfred’s leadership team, Mark Cabaniss acquired the sacred music division of Alfred Music, uniting:
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Alfred Sacred
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Alfred Handbell
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Jubilate Music
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H.W. Gray
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Good Life Publications
…and associated sacred/educational copyrights from catalogs listed earlier in this history.
On January 1, 2016, Jubilate Music Group, LLC officially opened its doors in Brentwood, Tennessee.
JMG’s staff of editors, producers, musicians, and publishing professionals continue to steward this extraordinary group of publishing catalogs with care, creativity, and dedication.
New Imprints & Milestones
Brodt Music acquisition (2019)
Further strengthened JMG’s choral and instrumental offerings.
Hymns Now imprint (2023)
A new voice for fresh hymnody in today’s church.
Jubilate Records launch (2025)
Specializing in elegant, inspirational recordings.
Carnegie Hall Performances (2022 & 2025)
In conjunction with True North Presents, JMG had the invitation and honor of presenting major sacred concerts at Carnegie Hall featuring:
Ken Medema
Mark Blankenship
Mark Hayes
Lloyd Larson
These unforgettable evenings showcased world premieres with mass choir, orchestra, and soloists.
One of the Nation’s Largest Sacred/Educational Music Publishers
With thousands of copyrights, a worldwide digital reach, and international sub-publishing partnerships, Jubilate Music Group is today one of America’s largest sacred/educational print and digital music publishing houses.
Our music and resources are experienced in churches, schools, concert halls, homes, and community groups around the globe.
Our Mission (Then and Now)
We honor the legacy we’ve inherited by publishing our very best sacred and educational music: past, present, and future.
“To create and provide innovative, diverse, and quality music resources;
to meet the needs of our customers through thoughtful, caring, and efficient service;
to champion the creative efforts of our contributors;
and to faithfully continue our tradition of excellence.”
Milestones in the Jubilate Journey
A Legacy Timeline: 150+ Years in the Making
Late 1800s – Early 1900s
H.W. Gray is founded in New York, becoming one of America’s earliest and most respected sacred music publishers. J. Fischer & Bro. and Gordon V. Thompson begin publishing important choral and organ literature in the U.S. and Canada.
1930s – 1950s
Belwin-Mills emerges as a major force in music education and choral publishing. Paul A. Schmitt Music and Brodt Music establish strong reputations for quality church music. Belwin-Mills acquires J. Fischer & Bro and Schmitt Music.
1960s–1980s
Good Life Publications, founded by John W. Peterson, publishes beloved church musicals and cantatas. H.W. Gray and Good Life are then acquired by Belwin-Mills. Belwin-Mills and Gordon V. Thompson eventually join Warner Bros. Publications, expanding its sacred and educational reach.
2005
Alfred Music acquires Warner Bros. Publications, bringing these historic catalogs - including Belwin-Mills, H.W. Gray, J. Fischer & Bro., Gordon V. Thompson, and Paul A. Schmitt Music - under its care.
2009
Jubilate Music is established as a publishing imprint which is eventually acquired by Alfred Music for its sacred music division.
2016
Jubilate Music Group is established as a new company by acquiring Alfred’s sacred music division which includes Alfred Sacred, Jubilate Music, H.W. Gray, Good Life Publications and the other aforementioned catalogs, uniting generations of sacred and secular publishing under one banner.
2019
Brodt Music is acquired by Jubilate Music Group.
2020s
Jubilate Music Group expands digitally, including launching the Hymns Now imprint and website plus Jubilate Records while continuing to grow its catalog of choral, keyboard, handbell, vocal, and instrumental music for a global audience.
2026
Jubilate Music Group celebrates its 10th Anniversary, honoring 150+ years of combined publishing heritage, and looking ahead to a future as bright as its song.
10th Anniversary Events
Joy in the Journey: The Jubilate Music Group Story
Joy in the Journey: The Jubilate Music Group Story is a brief anniversary video celebrating the vision, people, and providential moments that have shaped Jubilate Music Group. From founding to its growth into a worldwide music publisher and home for multiple historic catalogs, the 3-minute video traces a story of stewardship, artistry, and gratitude.
Through video clips, images, music, and narration, Joy in the Journey reflects on ten years of Jubilate Music Group and more than 150 years of musical heritage, honoring the past while looking ahead with gratitude, purpose, and hope for the future.
Premiered Online (JMG YouTube Channel)
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. Central Time
Click HERE to view the video.
Songs Everlasting: A Jubilate Anniversary Virtual Concert
Songs Everlasting: A Jubilate Anniversary Virtual Concert is a special online celebration marking ten years of Jubilate Music Group and more than 150 years of combined publishing legacy. This virtual concert will feature video presentations of selected bestsellers from Jubilate Music Group catalogs, plus an interview with composer/arranger Anna Laura Page telling "the story behind the song" of her enduring anthem Creation Will Be at Peace.
Premiered Online (JMG YouTube Channel)
Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time
Click HERE to view the video.
Craft, Calling & Community: The Jubilate Writer’s Workshop
On Saturday, May 16, 2026, in celebration of Jubilate Music Group’s 10th anniversary, Craft, Calling & Community: The Jubilate Writer’s Workshop brought together composers, arrangers, lyricists, and songwriters for an inspiring and information-filled online event exploring the art and vocation of writing music for the church. Hosted by acclaimed composer and editor Lloyd Larson, the workshop featured practical discussion on creative craft, professional growth, tips on getting published, music engraving software updates, and more.
In addition to Lloyd Larson, presenters included Jubilate Music Group President & CEO Mark Cabaniss; veteran composer/lyricist Tina English; and Dorico engraving software specialist David Roby. The complete two-hour video webinar is now available as a video digital download offering candid discussion, practical wisdom, and encouragement for writers at every stage of their creative journey.
Click HERE to learn more and/or to purchase the video.
