About Us

The National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) announced on July 16, 2010 that Mass of Renewal by William Gokelman and David Kauffman of San Antonio, Texas, was voted the winner of a new Mass setting competition sponsored by NPM. Over the last 18 months, more than 160 entries were submitted from which a panel of five independent judges selected four finalists. The final four compositions were sung by and then voted on by all 2,000+ NPM members (choir directors & music ministers) who attended the national convention this summer in Detroit, MI.

“Our hope was to write a musical setting of the mass that wouldn’t get in the way of the prayer experience,” said Bill Gokelman, co-writer of Mass of Renewal and Chairman of the Music department at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX.

Gokelman and Kauffman’s composition may be sung with various combinations of instruments, including guitar, piano, organ, brass, and even full orchestra. This setting is quite adaptable and can be used by the congregation alone, with the participation of an SATB choir or in a contemporary Youth Mass setting. Spanish versions and Contemp>orary/Youth Editions for Life Teen Mass are available.

Good For The Soul Music connects the sacred to the ordinary, gives voice to the feelings of the heart, and awakens the soul, leading to a closer relationship with God and people important in our lives. 

Good For The Soul Music is a friend, confidant and companion on the journey.

Good For The Soul Music artists use their inspired and anointed gifts to create music which touches hearts, feeds souls and influences lives.

• The creative spirit of our artists
• A workplace filled with passion, dedication, innovation & fun!
• Promoting the spiritual wellness & wholeness of others
• Serving a ministerial role first… changing the world in our own small way
• Creating an organization of value that endures for generations

Gokelman, a self-described “military brat” who lived in many places in the United States and abroad before coming to San Antonio, began his musical journey at age 10 when his parents “babysat” a fellow military friend’s piano and he began sounding out songs on his own. Realizing their son had real talent, they started his piano lessons the following year. From that moment on, Gokelman knew he would pursue a career in music. Gokelman earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Incarnate Word College (now the University of the Incarnate Word), where he won the Amy Freeman Lee Award for the Arts and Humanities. He also holds a Master of Music degree in vocal coaching and accompanying from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, where he was awarded the Alfred E. Merron Award for Accompanying.  more >

Growing up a devout Catholic in St. Louis and always drawn to liturgical music, Kauffman has spent more than two decades on what he calls a “faith journey” that has grown from a personal pursuit to a full-blown mission to create music that touches hearts, feeds souls and influences lives.

But it wasn’t always this way. Even though he was active in church and contributed his musical ability to the liturgy throughout his youth, he began his adult life as many others do: attending college, earning a “practical” degree, getting married and entering the business world.  more >