Suggestions for Wedding Music

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mcmitton

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I find myself to be playing for a wedding on the afternoon before Pentecost. I am comfortable in helping/selecting the music within the Mass, but I need suggestions for the Processional and Recessional music before I meet with the bride-to-be and her family.

My skill is at the Medium level [occasionally a little more difficult] and the instrument is a Clavinova 860.

Thanks.

Mary Carolyn

:harp:
 
mcmitton said:
I find myself to be playing for a wedding on the afternoon before Pentecost. I am comfortable in helping/selecting the music within the Mass, but I need suggestions for the Processional and Recessional music before I meet with the bride-to-be and her family.

My skill is at the Medium level [occasionally a little more difficult] and the instrument is a Clavinova 860.

Thanks.

Mary Carolyn

:harp:
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How about Veni Creator Spiritus as the processional? If the wedding procession is long, it should be enough to cover it and it would be a wonderful piece. The recessional would then either be the Regina Caeli (since we are still in the Easter Season) or Sing with all the Saints in Glory.
 
mcmitton said:
I find myself to be playing for a wedding on the afternoon before Pentecost. I am comfortable in helping/selecting the music within the Mass, but I need suggestions for the Processional and Recessional music before I meet with the bride-to-be and her family.

My skill is at the Medium level [occasionally a little more difficult] and the instrument is a Clavinova 860.

Thanks.

Mary Carolyn

:harp:
Click to expand...
At my wedding my husband chose Beethoven’s Symphony in D. It was beautiful.
 
I have my heart set on Alleluia, Sing to Jesus for my recessional song (should I ever happen to get married.)

Are there any restrictions (ie, processional can only be one song, etc.)?
 
Love_Divine said:
I have my heart set on Alleluia, Sing to Jesus for my recessional song (should I ever happen to get married.)

Are there any restrictions (ie, processional can only be one song, etc.)?
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The only restriction is that the music not be a secular piece. All music must be Sacred in nature and fit for the Mass.

Given the fact that Alleluia, Sing to Jesus is more a Eucharistic hymn, why not have that for Communion? Having heard it as a recessional, I find that it just does not fit. It’s more for Communion.
 
Thus far, I’ve dragged out “Ave verum corpus”, “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”, Pachebel’s “Canon in D Major”, and “Panis Angelicus”. I do know that a soloist is to sing “Ave Maria”, but which composer? I don’t know yet. I hope some of these will suit the bride and family.

As far as hymns go, I’m okay with any of the usual found in OCP, GIA, etc.

I’ve asked the mother to get to me just after Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. Details to follow. I’m having trouble fitting anything else in the calendar until then.

Thank you for following me on my journey. I’ve only played for one wedding in my life, and as I am approaching 72 years, I can’t remember when. My husband, tho’ is an accomplished bagpiper, having studied in Glasgow for some time. He usually plays funerals and outdoor non-Catholic weddings.

Blessings to you all, and my thanks.

Mary Carolyn
 
benedictgal said:
The only restriction is that the music not be a secular piece. All music must be Sacred in nature and fit for the Mass.

Given the fact that Alleluia, Sing to Jesus is more a Eucharistic hymn, why not have that for Communion? Having heard it as a recessional, I find that it just does not fit. It’s more for Communion.
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I’ve never heard it done as a song during communion, just the recessional on an organ with several stops pulled out. It sounded very full and, how can I best put it, “recessionally.” It didn’t sound like a communion hymn.

I just downloaded some other versions of it, and those just sound too wimpy. Obviously the song can go both ways depending on the organist and his/her abilities.

On a side note, Canon in D has been done way too many times at weddings that I wouldn’t even bring it up. If the couple wants it, I’m sure they’ll bring it up.
 
Our daughter and her husband chose what I think is the most amazing recessional I have ever heard, Widor’s Toccata from the Fifth Organ Symphony in F. It about shook down the walls of the Cathedral! Magnificent.
 
dixieagle said:
Our daughter and her husband chose what I think is the most amazing recessional I have ever heard, Widor’s Toccata from the Fifth Organ Symphony in F. It about shook down the walls of the Cathedral! Magnificent.
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That’s a fabulous piece, but far beyond “medium level.”

For the OP, the usual Ave Maria is by Schubert.
 
baltobetsy said:
That’s a fabulous piece, but far beyond “medium level.”

For the OP, the usual Ave Maria is by Schubert.
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Yes, I know it’s way advanced…our Cathedral organist learned it specifically for their wedding, but I LOVE it! 🙂

I prefer that Ave Maria, as well; it was sung as each of our girls’ weddings.
 
dixieagle said:
Our daughter and her husband chose what I think is the most amazing recessional I have ever heard, Widor’s Toccata from the Fifth Organ Symphony in F. It about shook down the walls of the Cathedral! Magnificent.
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SWEET!!! Our organist, who is a very advanced player sometimes plays this after easter vigil and/or easter morning Mass. A friend of mine has tried to lean it each hand separately, and is having trouble! Definitely not medium level.
 
Love_Divine said:
I’ve never heard it done as a song during communion, just the recessional on an organ with several stops pulled out. It sounded very full and, how can I best put it, “recessionally.” It didn’t sound like a communion hymn.

I just downloaded some other versions of it, and those just sound too wimpy. Obviously the song can go both ways depending on the organist and his/her abilities.

On a side note, Canon in D has been done way too many times at weddings that I wouldn’t even bring it up. If the couple wants it, I’m sure they’ll bring it up.
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It actually is a Communion hymn. Unfortunately, OCP took out all of the Eucharistic verses from the hymn. If you look at the Worship III from GIA, you will find it listed as a Communion Hymn. The part that they took out is “Alleluia, Bread of Angels, here on our earth, our food, our stay…” It was not until I got to my parish that I heard them use it as recessional.
 
It is possible that the hymn tune Hyferdol is used as a recessional. There is more than one song that can be sung to that melody, e.g. “Love Divine, All Love’s Excelling.”

Everybody can be right on this one!**
 
Also, are you looking for something with words (a hymn) or some fancy, regal, pompous piece of instrumental music? There’s a lot of stuff out there to choose from for sure.

Canon in D is nice, but as someone said, way overused. I have to play that one at the next wedding. I was really, really hoping the couple would not pick it. They did. Go figure.
 
The_Curt_Jester said:
Canon in D is nice, but as someone said, way overused. I have to play that one at the next wedding. I was really, really hoping the couple would not pick it. They did. Go figure.
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I think Canon in D falls under the category of secular music, and therefore should not be permitted in Catholic weddings. 😃
 
Love_Divine said:
I think Canon in D falls under the category of secular music, and therefore should not be permitted in Catholic weddings. 😃
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It’s permissible. I wouldn’t use it if it weren’t.

You’ll find that many, many churches use music from the baroque and classical era during Mass, whether it’s the Novus Ordo or the Tridentine. Unless, of course, your specific church has a policy of absolutely NOTHING besides hymns, chants, and such.
 
The_Curt_Jester said:
It’s permissible. I wouldn’t use it if it weren’t.

You’ll find that many, many churches use music from the baroque and classical era during Mass, whether it’s the Novus Ordo or the Tridentine. Unless, of course, your specific church has a policy of absolutely NOTHING besides hymns, chants, and such.
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I was joking, but I do think it should not be suggested just because it has been over-used, most likely because those who choose it don’t know too many other classical/wedding music aside from “the one that goes Duh duh duhduh duh duh duhduh” and “that other one that goes duhduhduhduh duuuuuuh duh duh duhduh duh duh duh-dooodly-duh duh duhduuh”. (Yes, I know what they’re called, but it seems other people only know them that way.)
 
Love_Divine said:
I was joking, but I do think it should not be suggested just because it has been over-used, most likely because those who choose it don’t know too many other classical/wedding music aside from “the one that goes Duh duh duhduh duh duh duhduh” and “that other one that goes duhduhduhduh duuuuuuh duh duh duhduh duh duh duh-dooodly-duh duh duhduuh”. (Yes, I know what they’re called, but it seems other people only know them that way.)
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Ah, okay.

Yeah, I think I’ll pull the Canon in D from the list of suggested pieces now. Since most people do not know that much music, I’m willing to spend a short time just playing samples of the suggestions to help them choose, so it’s not like they have to know the piece beforehand to pick it.
 
Well, the wedding day is this Saturday. The bride has selected all of the music. A member of her family will be doing ALL the singing/cantoring, and there will be no worship aid. The two hymnals that this particular church has are: Worship II, 1975 and Gather, the slim one from 1987, and none of the hymns/songs are within.

Not my favs, but I’m not the bride. Rehearsal is Friday, and Fr., of course, has the Veto.
Preludes: As needed, but to include:
“Sunrise, Sunset” from “Fiddler on the Roof” [sung]
“Ave Maria”, Schubert [sung, transpose to the key of B flat]

Processional: “Canon in D Major”, Pachelbel

Gloria and the rest of the service music: Mass of Creation

Psalm: “This is The Day”, Michael Joncas

Gospel Acclamation: Mass of Creation
Verse: We who love you, seek your Truth, Lord,
come and make your home within us:"

Offertory: “May God Bless You”, VanGrieken

Communion: “All I ask of You”, Priory
“When Love is Found”, Wren

Recessional: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”, Bach.

Postludes: As needed.

Thank you all for your (name removed by moderator)ut, but I really have no Veto.

MC
 
mcmitton said:
Well, the wedding day is this Saturday. The bride has selected all of the music. A member of her family will be doing ALL the singing/cantoring, and there will be no worship aid. The two hymnals that this particular church has are: Worship II, 1975 and Gather, the slim one from 1987, and none of the hymns/songs are within.

Not my favs, but I’m not the bride. Rehearsal is Friday, and Fr., of course, has the Veto.
Preludes: As needed, but to include:
“Sunrise, Sunset” from “Fiddler on the Roof” [sung]
“Ave Maria”, Schubert [sung, transpose to the key of B flat]

Processional: “Canon in D Major”, Pachelbel

Gloria and the rest of the service music: Mass of Creation

Psalm: “This is The Day”, Michael Joncas

Gospel Acclamation: Mass of Creation
Verse: We who love you, seek your Truth, Lord,
come and make your home within us:"

Offertory: “May God Bless You”, VanGrieken

Communion: “All I ask of You”, Priory
“When Love is Found”, Wren

Recessional: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”, Bach.

Postludes: As needed.

Thank you all for your (name removed by moderator)ut, but I really have no Veto.

MC
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“Sunrise, Sunset” is something that would not be allowable. Even though it is before the wedding, it is still secular music and such should not be performed in church. I would avoid the Mass of Creation Sanctus because it is not in line with the official text that the Church gives us. The same holds true for the Agnus Dei.
 
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