Joseph Martin Signs Long-Term Contract with Shawnee Press, Inc.

NASHVILLE, TN – Mark Cabaniss, president of Shawnee Press, Inc., has announced that composer/arranger Joseph M. Martin has recently signed a long-term renewal of his exclusive agreement with Shawnee Press.

 Since his first choral publication in 1987, Joseph Martin has written and published over 1000 pieces. His choral anthems, cantatas, piano solo albums, and pedagogical materials have sold over 10 million copies worldwide making him one of the most published and performed composers of church music ever. Martin began his association with Shawnee Press in 1990 as a writer and now serves as Director of Sacred Music Publications and Mark Foster Music. His composition, “The Awakening,” has become standard repertoire for high school and college choirs having sold over 500,000 copies since its initial release. The composer of over 25 choral cantatas, Martin's writing has been embraced by churches the world-over. His composition “Pieta” was recently awarded a prize for excellence by the John Ness Beck Foundation.

“No other company has the diversity of styles or the scope of publications than does Shawnee Press” says Martin. “I am grateful for the years of encouragement they have given my creative efforts and I am delighted to continue my partnership with them as a writer, editor and producer,” Martin added.

Cabaniss says “I am pleased to renew our relationship with Joe Martin. He’s a vibrant, creative force in church music today, and we’re fortunate to have him on the Shawnee Press team.”

Martin graduated from Furman University and the University of Texas, with degrees in piano performance. His four solo piano albums have been best-sellers in the sacred and secular marketplace. Martin travels extensively as a performer and clinician performing and conducting sacred concerts and leading workshops for music directors coast to coast.

Shawnee Press, Inc. is one of the leading publishers of choral and instrumental music in the world. Since 1939, the company has led the way in providing music of the highest quality to choruses, bands, and orchestras. Shawnee Press, Inc. was founded by legendary band and choral master Fred Waring as a response to the demands by school choral and church choir directors for copies of the unique arrangements performed by Mr. Waring and his famous Pennsylvanians. 

In 1989, Shawnee Press was acquired by Music Sales Corporation, a global music publishing and print company. Under Music Sales, Shawnee Press has continued to be a publisher of a universal catalog of sacred and secular music, ranging from delightful children’s songs and musicals to serious symphonic works. Shawnee Press and its related catalogs cover the spectrum of educational and sacred choral and instrumental music for all ages, grades, and abilities. 

Joseph Martin lives in Austin, Texas with his wife Sue and two children, Jonathan and Aubrey.