A guide to . . .
Selecting Wedding Music
Congratulations!
Congratulations on your pending nuptials at St. Joseph’s Parish in Needham. The material found here will help you plan the music for your wedding by specifying what you must select and providing suggestions accompanied by links for listening. The suggestions for music are not exhaustive. There are innumerable possibilities, and you may have heard other pieces you liked and want to include in your deliberations.
CONSULTATION: Using the information provided here is a good starting point prior to meeting in person for a consultation. When we meet it’s helpful for you to have already made some selections or to have a short list of music that you like and want to make your final choices from. Following the consultation, I will email a list of your selections as they should appear in a wedding program, should you be planning to have one.
MUSICIANS: I usually engage Debbie Geary, cantor for St. Joseph’s, for weddings and think highly of her. If you are interested in supplementing the organ and soloist by hiring additional musicians, such as a trumpeter or two, a harpist, or other instrumentalists, I can assist with that.
FEES: My fee is $300; it includes the consultation and wedding, but not the wedding rehearsal. The cantor’s fee is $250. Guest instrumentalists and singers tend to request between $300-$400 each. If it would be easier for you, checks for musicians can be mailed or given to me a week or two prior to the wedding, or left at the rectory for me. Otherwise, paying on the day of the wedding is fine too.
FORMS: Two forms are at the bottom of this page. The first is to collect basic information about your wedding. and should be submitted as soon as possible. The second form is optional. You can use it before our in person consultation to provide a short list of pieces you’re considering, or use it to give me your final selections and forego an in person consultation.
For a wedding mass,
the music to be selected is:
One or two processional pieces for entering.
A mass setting.
A psalm.
A vocal solo after the vows, if you want one.
A hymn or solo at the offertory.
Music during communion, usually a solo followed by a hymn.
A processional for exiting.
For a wedding ceremony,
the music to be selected is:
One or two processional pieces for entering.
A psalm.
A vocal solo after the vows, if you want one.
A processional for exiting.
TO SCHEDULE AN IN PERSON CONSULTATION: Email me at darylbichel@aol.com.
The most convenient times for me are after the 4 pm mass on Saturdays, after the 11 am mass on Sundays, and at 5:30 pm on Thursdays before choir rehearsal. Other times can be arranged as well. We’ll meet by the organ in the upper church and I’ll play pieces you’re interested in to help you make your final selections.
Processionals
Many couples select one piece for the parents and attendants in the wedding party, and a second piece for the bride. The first piece is typically softer than the second. It is possible, though, to use one processional piece for the entire wedding party.
Some of the pieces listed here are trumpet tunes. They can be played on the organ alone, or on organ with a hired trumpet soloist.
TRUMPET TUNES
Prelude to 'Te Deum' by Marc Antoine Charpentier | Listen
Rondeau from "Sinfonia de Fanfares" by Jean-Joseph Mouret | Listen
The Prince of Denmark's March by Jeremiah Clarke | Listen
Trumpet Tune by Henry Purcell | Listen
Trumpet Voluntary by John Stanley | Listen
Trumpet Tune in D Major by David N. Johnson | Listen
Trumpet Tune by Michael McCabe | Listen
My Spirit be Joyful by J.S. Bach (requires two trumpeters) | Listen
Responsorial Psalms
The psalm that you select will be sung by the cantor. I’ll provide a musical setting, so there is no need for you to make a decision about that. But, I do need to know which psalm you have chosen..
Psalm 33:12 and 18, 20-21, 22
Response: The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Response: I will bless the Lord at all times. or: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Psalm 103:1-2, 8 and 13, 17-18a
Response: The Lord is kind and merciful. or: The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Psalm 112:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8,9
Response: Blessed the man who greatly delights in the Lord’s commands. or: Alleluia.
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4, 5ac and 6a
Response: . Blessed are those who fear the Lord. or: See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
Psalm 145:8-9, 10 and 15, 17-18
Response: How good is the Lord to all.
Psalm 148:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-13a, 13c-14a
Response: Let all praise the name of the Lord. or: Alleluia.
Mass Settings
At St. Joseph’s two mass settings are used regularly. Heritage Mass by Owen Alstott, is the simpler of the two. Mass of Creation by Marty Haugen is slightly more difficult but perhaps also a little more joyful, If your guests are not singers, the cantor will sing the mass setting regardless. Recordings of Glory to God and Holy Holy from each setting are linked below to give you an idea of what each setting is like.
Vocal Solos
Vocal solos can be sung after exchange of the vows, at the offertory, and during communion.
Ave Maria by Franz Schubert | Listen
Beloved, Let Us Love by Richard Proulx | Listen (recording pending)
Bridal Prayer by Roger Copeland | Listen
How Blest Are They by Richard Proulx | Listen (recording pending)
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by J.S. Bach | Listen
Laudate Dominum by W.A. Mozart | Listen
Panis Angelicus by César Franck (appropriate for communion) | Listen
The Lord Bless You by J.S. Bach (a duet from Cantata 196 that can be sung in English) | Listen
(go to 6.40 in the recording)
Hymns
Hymns generally have wonderful texts and tunes, and are a way for wedding guests to participate more fully. A hymn can be used at the offertory and/or during communion, following a solo while communion is distributed. Although rarely done, a hymn can be used as an entrance processional. That places an emphasis on worship as opposed to attention to the bridal party and the bride. While hymns with a eucharistic text are always appropriate during communion, at weddings I recommend a hymn of praise. At a wedding that is the last opportunity for a hymn, and a joyful one is perfect for the occasion.
HYMNS OF PRAISE
Holy God, we praise thy name | Listen
Now thank we all our God | Listen
O God beyond all praising | Listen
Praise my soul, the King of heaven | Listen
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the king of creation | Listen
Sent forth by God’s blessing | Listen
When love is found and hope comes home | Listen
COMMUNION HYMNS
Adore Te Devote/Godhead here in hiding | Listen
Bread of angels | Listen
Gift of finest wheat | Listen
I received the living God | Listen
Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All | Listen
O Sacrament most holy | Listen
Panis Agelicus/Holy and living bread | Listen
See us Lord, about your altar | Listen
Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless | Listen
Spirit and grace | Listen
Form # 1
Please submit this form before you’ve selected any music so the organist and cantor can add your wedding to their calendars, and so any additional musicians you want to hire can be booked.
Form # 2
This form is optional. You can use it before our in person consultation to record and submit a short list of music you’re considering. Or, you can use it to record your final choices if you want to forego an in person consultation.