Shawnee Press School

Consistently providing quality choral literature for your classroom since 1939.

Shawnee Press is one of the leading publishers of choral and
instrumental music in the world. 2009 began a new chapter in the
history of Shawnee Press as we joined forces with Hal Leonard, the
worldwide leader in print music.

For over 70 years, Shawnee Press has led the way in providing
music of the highest quality to choruses, bands and orchestras.
From a small shipping room in New York City to a worldwide
network of dealers, the company has grown with one goal in mind: a
commitment to quality music.

It all began with the legendary band and choralmaster, Fred Waring.
In the late 1930s, Mr. Waring and some of his friends in the music
industry formed a music publishing company called Words and
Music. As he and his famous Pennsylvanians grew in stature
and popularity, school choral and church choir directors began
requesting copies of his unique arrangements.

In 1939, the first choral arrangement became available. Later,
Mr. Waring changed the name of the company to Shawnee Press and
moved the headquarters to Pennsylvania—an obvious site and name
since his home was located in nearby Shawnee-on-Delaware.

The Harold Flammer catalog was added in 1970 to establish the
church music division and in 1976 Lew Kirby formed a second sacred
publishing division, GlorySound, with a focus on contemporary
Christian music.

In December 1983, just a few months prior to his death in July,
1984, President Ronald Reagan honored Mr. Waring with the
Congressional Medal for “teaching America how to sing.”

In 1989, Shawnee Press was acquired by Music Sales Corporation
from Mr. Waring’s wife, Virginia.

In 2005, Shawnee Press relocated to Nashville, Tennessee. And in July
2009, Shawnee Press was purchased by Hal Leonard Corporation.

Today, Shawnee Press continues its legacy as the publisher of a universal
catalog of quality sacred and secular music, ranging from delightful
children’s songs and musicals to serious concert repertoire.