New music projects and book by Roger Holland

Roger Holland has released four new musical projects through GIA Publications, Inc. as well as a new book. 

"Voice of My People" is a ground-breaking Mass setting composed by Holland which explores the various ways in which musical genres within the African diaspora articulate the cultural expressions of Blackness. Holland unified the various parts of the Mass not with a melodic motif, but with the understanding that Black people are not monolithic in their understanding of self or cultural expression. Each Mass movement highlights a different musical style reflecting the African diaspora: gospel, jazz, chant, reggaetón, Afro Cuban music, and R&B. The Sanctus (Mtakatifu) is set in Kiswahili to represent African language and culture.

Holland co-arranged "Mass of the Next Generation" by Jeffrey Corry, a Mass setting that features several musical genres including rhythm and blues, jazz, and gospel. 

"My Joy Will Be Full," edited by Holland, is a new collection of pieces by various composers in GIA's In Spirit and Truth Series. 

The final musical project is a collection entitled "We R the Church." It includes Holland's song "All of Me (Ode to Sr. Thea)" which won Song of the Year from the Association of Catholic Publishers.

Holland co-edited the book The Fire This Time with Kim Harris and Kate Williams. It is intended for liturgists, musicians, parish committees, students, scholars, interested family and friends, as well as fellow travelers of different faith communities, and allies who continue to journey and struggle alongside members of the Black Catholic community.

M. Roger Holland, II is a Teaching Associate Professor in Music and Religion and Director of The Spirituals Project at the Lamont School of Music. A graduate of Union Theological Seminary in New York City where he received the Master of Divinity degree, Roger also served as Artist-in-Residence and director of the Union Gospel Choir for over 13 years. Roger is the newly appointed editor of the In Spirit and Truth series published by GIA Publications, Inc., which reflects the aesthetic of Black Catholic worship. In addition, he serves as Liturgical Music Consultant for the Archdiocese of New York Office of Black Ministry and Music Director for their special masses at St. Patrick's Cathedral.