This month's contributor is Susan.

Church Wedding Music

In the Lutheran church, a wedding is a worship service during which the invited guests are not mere spectators, but participants in a service where a man and woman give themselves to each other in marriage, and where God's blessing and support are asked. One of the most important things to remember when planning the music is that this is music for worship. Ask yourself, "Is this music appropriate for a worship service? Is this music the kind I would likely hear in a church?" Thus you would choose, for instance, "The Lord's Prayer" to be sung, and not "Sunrise, Sunset". Of course, there are other considerations such as appropriateness of the text and tune. For instance, you would probably not want to have your soloist sing a solo based on a Christmas carol during a June wedding, or have the organist play a beautiful Albinoni Adagio usually associated with funerals! And, just because you've heard it at weddings before...doesn't make it a good idea! Case in point: why would you choose a song announcing blessings on a pregnant woman? (Ave Maria) Also, churches vary in the kinds of classical music they prefer to be used, so before setting your heart on any music at all, it is wise to make an appointment with both the pastor and church musician who will be playing for the wedding. Don't leave this to the last minute: if you have Widor's "Toccata" in mind for the recessional and the organist cannot play it, you will have time to find an organist who can!!

What kind of music do you need for a wedding service? First, you will want to have at least twenty minutes of music as the guests are arriving and being seated in the church. This music can be played on the organ, by a string-brass-or woodwind group, or even sung by a vocal ensemble. Some people choose harp, flute, trumpet, or handbell choirs, others prefer harpsichord or guitar. I've heard pan- pipes, bagpipes and electric keyboards. I've accompanied saxophones and trombones and heard beautiful piano solos. All of these instruments and voices are appropriate for singing and playing music to God. Use the guidelines given above for choosing the music together with the church musician who will be at your wedding. If you have favorite hymns they can often be included in the pre-service music in special arrangements. If you have favorite pieces that would be appropriate, they could be included during this time.

Second, you might want to have a special piece of music played or sung as the mothers are seated. At this point in the proceedings, the wedding is ready to start - the mothers should be the last to be seated, and should not be escorted down the aisle until everyone is certain they are ready to begin! So this is an ideal time with everyone there and ready for that special song.

Third, you must decide on the processional and recessional music. This is the music which brings the bridal party into and out of the church. The "Old Traditional" tunes are Wagner's "Wedding March from 'Lohengrin'" (processional) and Mendelssohn's "Wedding March from 'A Mid-summer Night's Dream'" for the recessional. Many churches do not prefer to use these tunes, so you need to check with the church before you assume you can use them. The "New Traditional" tunes seem to be Clarke's "Trumpet Tune in D Major" and "Trumpet Voluntary in D Major", but there are many, many tunes to choose from in addition. You are asking yourself, "How do I know if I like any of these tunes I've never heard of before?" Ask the organist to play several of them for you when you meet to choose the music!

Lastly, decide if you want to have a soloist provide music during the service, and whether or not you will have the congregation sing any hymns. You can get a lot of good suggestions for this as you plan the wedding service itself with the pastor and the church musician. In choosing a soloist, remember that just because you think your niece has a pretty voice, this does not mean that she would do well in front of an audience and wouldn't have stage fright and dissolve into a fit of tears!! (or sing so softly that nobody can hear her.) Pick someone who has done this before! Remember this is a worship service where we want to offer our best to the glory of God.

Having said all of this, here are a few suggestions to get you started. This is only the tip of the iceberg! Take ideas from the organist, musicians or soloists themselves - they usually have their own favorites too. Then, check everything out with the pastor and church organist to be sure that everything chosen is of high quality (not trite or sentimental), within the ability of the performers at hand to play or sing with assurance, and with texts that reflect the praise of God, the steadfast love of Christ for his church as the foundation and model for love and fidelity in marriage, or the invocation of God's presence and blessing.

Pre-Service Music: Abide, O Dearest Jesus -Karg-Elert; Abide With Me- J.S. Bach; Abide With Us, Our Savior- Pachelbel; Adagio in A Minor- J.S. Bach; Adagio from Sonata I- Mendelssohn; Air from Suite in D- J.S. Bach; Air from the Water Music- Handel; Allegro from Symphony IV-Boyce; Allegro- Handel; Arioso -J.S.Bach; Bourree-Telemann; Canon in D-Pachelbel; Dearest Jesus, We Are Here- Krebs or J.S.Bach; Fantasia -Pachelbel; Fugue in C Minor-Charpentier; Gavotte from Symphony IV- Boyce; If Thou But Suffer God to Guide You -J.S.Bach; Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring- J.S.Bach; Jesus, Lead Thou On- Manz; Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now -Walther; Meditation on Perfect Love- Hustad; Now Thank We All Our God- J.S.Bach or Manz; Organ Processional for Manuals Alone -Bender; Sleepers, Wake! (for Nov.-Dec.)-J.S.Bach; Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness - Homilius or Telemann, (especially if you celebrate Holy Communion at your wedding); Toccata in F Major- Buxtehude; Toccatina and Chorale-Sedio; When Thou Art Near J.S.Bach

For seating Moms: Arioso-J.S.Bach; Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring-J.S.Bach; Meditation on Perfect Love-Hustad; In Thee is Gladness- J.S.Bach or Manz; Sheep May Safely Graze- J.S.Bach

Processionals and Recessionals: Wedding March-Wagner; Wedding March-Mendelssohn;Trumpet Voluntary in D Major and Trumpet Tune in D Major-Clarke(Purcell); Psalm XIX -Marcello; La Rejouissance (Rejoicing)-Handel; Te Deum-Charpentier; Hornpipe from the Water Music -Handel; Processional in E Flat Major- Johnson; Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee-Hopson or Manz; Processional from Sonata IX -Corelli; Trumpet Tune -McCabe; Trumpet Tune in D Major-Johnson; Allegro con spirito -Roman; Trumpet Processional/Recessional -Manfredini

Hymns for the congregation: As Man and Woman We Were Made With One Voice #751; When Love is Found- With One Voice #749; Bind Us Together -With One Voice #748; I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry - With One Voice #770; Jesus, Come, For We Invite You - With One Voice #648(notice alternate tune); Go My Children, With My Blessing -With One Voice #721; O Perfect Love- Lutheran Book of Worship #287; Hear Us Now, Our God and Father-Lutheran Book of Worship #288

Solos: The Lord's Prayer-Malotte; The Gift of Love- Hopson; Bridal Prayer-Copeland; Household of Faith- Rosasco; Beloved, Let Us Love -Busarow (with flute); O God of Love -Beck; A Wedding Prayer Beck; Wedding Hymn from 'Ptolemy' -Handel; Go, My Children, with My Blessing- Behnke (with special wedding text)

Email any questions and comments to:  OPALinfo@aol.com.