Jan. 20, 2006

NEW YORK CITY — The AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS (AGO) and the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PASTORAL MUSICIANS (NPM) have been notified by GIA PUBLICATIONS of Chicago, Ill., that revenue generated by Mercy, Mercy!, a CD benefiting church musicians affected by natural disasters, will be donated to the AGO and NPM hurricane relief funds. GIA is selling the recording for $20. Each organization will receive 50% of the CD sales revenue.

"The CD features music by an eclectic mix of composers, arrangers, and performers who, for the most part, share a common thread," stated GIA Executive Producer Michael Cymbala. "Many of the selections were composed or performed by those who suffered loss during the disaster in the Gulf Coast region. Other pieces have a special musical connection to that area of the country. The composers represented on this recording have donated their royalties; GIA Publications, Inc., has donated all production costs; KRT Select has donated the cover art for the CD; Open Door Productions has donated the master recording; and CRT Custom Products has donated the manufacturing expenses." One hundred percent of the sales revenue will be donated to the AGO and NPM in support of each organization’s hurricane relief efforts.

The AGO Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund was established to provide assistance to AGO members directly affected by the storm, especially those members of the New Orleans and South Mississippi AGO chapters. More than $10,000 in charitable contributions have been recorded to date. "The forthcoming contributions from GIA Publications as a result of Mercy, Mercy! CD sales will allow us to augment our efforts in assisting AGO members who lost homes, jobs, instruments, and music collections during and following the horrific storm," declared AGO President Frederick Swann. "The AGO is profoundly grateful for GIA’s generosity in helping us help others."

The overwhelming basic needs of hurricane survivors are often compounded by their spiritual needs, which require the continuing ministry of musicians and the religious institutions they serve. The National Association of Pastoral Musicians established the NPM Hurricane Assistance Fund in response to the need for pastoral musicians to rebuild music programs to serve the worship needs of communities in the process of rebuilding their lives. "The response to the NPM Hurricane Assistance Fund has been extremely gratifying," declared NPM President J. Michael McMahon. "We are especially grateful to GIA Publications for undertaking the recording project, Mercy, Mercy!, for underwriting the entire cost of production, and for donating all proceeds to the NPM and AGO funds. We are also thankful for the fine performers who donated their services to produce a collection that speaks both of suffering and of hope in the face of disaster."

For further information, or to purchase the Mercy, Mercy! CD, please contact GIA Publications at 800-GIA-1358, 708-496-3800, or online at www.giamusic.com. For further information about the AGO’s Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, please visit www.agohq.org. For further information about the NPM’s Hurricane Assistance Fund, please visit www.npm.org.

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