Music for weddings

[contrabordun]

He said "trained", not "house trained", so it should be possible to find one or two.

[FrGareth]

I haven't presided at more than 4 weddings so far (and one was in Nigeria!) but if I need to offer suggestions to the couple, I'd start with docmattc's original suggestions and the Laudate offerings listed by contributors above, plus perhaps the following:

For a tune everyone will know, even unchurched:
A Wedding Hymn to fit the tune of Ode to Joy: http://www.svfparish.org/weddingode2joy.htm

If the congregation are mostly churchgoing:
The Servant Song

If there's a cantor leading music
3 psalms for weddings: http://www.sibeliusmusic.com/cgi-bin/show_score.pl?scoreid=71917&storeid=45998

There's also a beautiful Irish-tune setting of the setting of I Cor 13 hymn to love (would be a piece for a cantor), but I only know it from an old cassette called "Healer of My Soul" by Anam. Does anyone know who would have the manuscript for this?

FrGareth

[Hare]

Someone ( ) has started an interesting discussion here: http://www.mander-organs.com/discussion ... =2476&st=0

Anyone here had similar experiences?

Some years ago, I was stood-down for a wedding as an Irish relative would be playing. I had a frantic call from the PP about 15 mins before kick-off to say that the "organist" "couldn't get a peep out of the organ" and could I come and see what the problem was. I duly went, and found a delightful girl of about 15 in a blind panic, saying "on my organ the top keyboard is further to the right, and the sticks near the floor are shorter - and where are the rhythm buttons?"

I played for the wedding!

[musicus]

Bless!

[musicus]

[I hope this is on-topic, doc]

A work colleague has asked me for information about hiring a string quartet for a wedding: to play both for the hymns (it is a very very small do in a small church] and for the reception. Does anyone know of any agencies who could provide for this? I think it's sometime in 2010 and somewhere in the West Midlands (we're a cultured lot around here!).

Any information, whether by reply or PM, would be appreciated.

[keitha]

Whenever I have needed reliable instrumentalists/soloists and I cannot engage people I know for one reason or another, I have always contacted the nearest conservatoire so that students can get the chance of much needed experience of performing in public and earning a decent fee. Usually the conservatoires are very helpful and will act as 'agents' (I have approached Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Academy of Music on occasions, and they were both hugely helpful and have always recommended good students). They are rightly keen to ensure that the students are not exploited in any way and that proper professional arrangements are made. In addition, of course, some have resident ensembles and sometimes the teaching staff will be happy to do something.

[keitha]

Turning back to earlier posts today, I believe that when I am playing or conducting in another church I am a guest there (for anything - not just weddings) and should show appropriate courtesy to the resident clergy and music director/organist. So I insist that those who are inviting me not only clear it with the clergy, but ask the clergy to confirm that it has also been discussed with and cleared by the local music leader and if I can, I will make a courtesy call to the local people. I also insist that with weddings and funerals where I am asked to 'guest' the local organist is offered his or her regular fee as they are otherwise being deprived of the chance of earning some much-needed cash. In my experience most either decline or ask that the fee be donated to parish or music funds.

I expect the same courtesy to be shown to me (except in relation to weddings, where I try to avoid them whenever possible and am very happy if someone else is playing, so my PP has carte blanche to get whoever he or the couple likes!), but nowadays, sadly, it rarely is.

I am covering for a friend at a wedding next week - anyone any idea what the 'going rate is nowadays'? I haven't done a fee-paying wedding for many years and so have no idea (I think it was about £20 then), and I would like to have an appropriate amount donated to my own choir fund (it avoids having to keep records and declare the fee on my tax return!).

[Vox Americana]

This is all very well, but it does assume that the organist is the only musician in the parish. What would you lot do when there are two or more organists, or an instrumental group (musicus' string quartet,for example), and the punters have a choice from within? Presumably no fee for the non-participants... so what happens then when a visiting organist / instrumental group is asked to play instead of one from the parish music setup? Or again, what happens if the string quartet plays instead of an organ(ist), something which the organist simply could not do (as opposed to being simply replaced)?

I'm sorry, but as a non-organist I do not see an organ and organist as essential to any service - give me just a cantor any day. Get over yourselves!

[Nick Baty]

Couldn't agree more, Vox. Organists are seen as so important that some parishes pay them a fee while the poor MD or cantor gets nothing. And who has the most work to do?

Organists can really add something to a celebration and we should appreciate them. But we shouldn't be too precious about this one musical skill.

[Hare]

Couldn't agree more, Vox. Organists are seen as so important that some parishes pay them a fee while the poor MD or cantor gets nothing. And who has the most work to do?

What if the organist is the Director of Music?

We've been here before, and I didn't intend restarting it as a general discussion. My point in this topic was in relation to weddings (and funerals I suppose) I'm sure the Bear and the Doc would prefer it if comments could be put in their appropriate topics?

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=132

and viewtopic.php?f=4&t=76

[Hare]

This is all very well, but it does assume that the organist is the only musician in the parish. What would you lot do when there are two or more organists, or an instrumental group (musicus' string quartet,for example), and the punters have a choice from within? Presumably no fee for the non-participants... so what happens then when a visiting organist / instrumental group is asked to play instead of one from the parish music setup? Or again, what happens if the string quartet plays instead of an organ(ist), something which the organist simply could not do (as opposed to being simply replaced)?

I'm sorry, but as a non-organist I do not see an organ and organist as essential to any service - give me just a cantor any day. Get over yourselves!

I sincerely hope that the last paragraph was slightly tongue-in-cheek.........? If not, I for one would be seriously offended (no joke)

[Nick Baty]

What if the organist is the Director of Music?

Quite possible. But then there would have to be AN other as cantor-animator.
Not quite sure why you're offended by Vox's last statement – organists are great, wonderful and rare. But they're not necessary.
But, yes, we should stay on-topic and break this into another thread if required.

[docmattc]

We've been here before, and I didn't intend restarting it as a general discussion. My point in this topic was in relation to weddings (and funerals I suppose) I'm sure the Bear and the Doc would prefer it if comments could be put in their appropriate topics?

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=132

and viewtopic.php?f=4&t=76

Indeed I would prefer it!

But, yes, we should stay on-topic and break this into another thread if required.

Feel free to start a new topic, or find an old one- we must have discussed this before

[Hare]

We've been here before, and I didn't intend restarting it as a general discussion. My point in this topic was in relation to weddings (and funerals I suppose) I'm sure the Bear and the Doc would prefer it if comments could be put in their appropriate topics?

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=132

and viewtopic.php?f=4&t=76

Indeed I would prefer it!

But, yes, we should stay on-topic and break this into another thread if required.

Feel free to start a new topic, or find an old one- we must have discussed this before

Indeed - see links above for starters. It become quite emotive!

[keitha]

Lest I gave the wrong impression earlier, I don't get paid for playing at church, and nor do I want to be!

Back to music for weddings, I would just like an idea of the going rate for organists at weddings as I have been asked what the fee will be and I have no idea. I checked Nick's references before I put up my earlier post and they are years old!