Town Bride Article Spring/Summer 2020
Where would we be without the soundtrack to our life. We associate events in our life with the music heard while it happened, forever linked in the mind. What was the song you first danced to? What was the song that you and your friends listened to over and over again as you drove through the days and nights of Summers at the beach? Often, without planning, music accompanies us through the good, the bad and the sad. As a musician, I have been a part of marriage ceremonies for forty years. I still remember that first wedding I played for and am still in touch with that bride and groom. They requested, Sheep may safely graze by J.S. Bach and as a boy of twelve I worked and worked to get it right. When I contemplate all the weddings that I have been apart of I have vivid memories of couples meeting with me to choose either ceremony music or piano music for their social hours and receptions.
The fantastic element about music is that it fits, whether you know every piece of music you want in every moment or you know that you want something, but not quite sure what that might be. Music fits, it will be as grand or minimal as you would like for your special day. In planning this important day you are faced with so many decisions; florists, attendants, venues, food and of course, costs. It is beneficial to listen to people in their fields, ask them their opinions and options and then decide what you like and have budgeted for. When planning your music there are several things to consider; venue, instrument/s available, in house musicians and cost. If you are being married in a church ask them what their guidelines are and if their staff has first right of refusal. It is always better to ask about the guidelines first and plan within that structure then to assume you have an open ticket and that they will allow anything that you have planned which often leads to disappointment and hard feelings, which can be avoided. If you are choosing a venue that is non religious also ask about their guidelines and if there is an instrument and sound system. Knowing that they have a piano on the premises that it is in tune and good playing condition will help you in hiring someone who plays and/or sings. If the musician needs to bring some form of keyboard it will change the plan of what they need to do to accomplish your requests. Once you have the venue guidelines and information whether religious or non, you can choose music with the musician/s that is on staff or that you have contracted.
Here are some things to consider when planning your music for your ceremony; have music playing as your guests arrive, this sets the mood – whether quiet and romantic or crazy and fun. The music you choose will automatically engage your guests without them even knowing it. Next, what music would you like to be played when you are walking in and of course, out. Again, first decide what kind of mood you want and then listen to options. If there are special selections that have sentimental meaning to you and/or your family decide if they would work for the ceremony or if they would be better for the reception. Also, a suggestion that came from a Mother of the Bride, after knowing the selections of music for the ceremony, she listened to them many, many times before the wedding so that she was not completely over come with emotions on the day. It is already an emotional time, a little pre-planning for emotions helps!! Remember, know your venue and what it provides and also its guidelines, then plan accordingly. This way you can have the best situation for your special day.
Organ Music for your ceremony
Piano music for your ceremony and/or reception
Vocal music for your ceremony . . . Let’s talk about what your wishes are and how the music you pick can enhance your day!
Town Bride Article Fall/Winter 2020
Lately, I find myself out gazing at stars, hearing guitars like someone in love . . . Feeling like someone in love. These lyrics were written by Johnny Burke in 1944 for song composed by Jimmy Van Heusen for a film called Belle of the Yukon. The film takes place during the gold rush with comedy, gold heists, and love that takes twists and turns before the happy ending puts everything right. Of course, having a father who puts up $100,000.00 does not hurt the virtue of the well intended young man who is head over heels in love. Hopefully, your story does not have to weave through intrigue, gold heists and your Amore being shipped off to Alaska to save your honor. However, we are in a current situation which is drastically changing our ideas and hopes for that special day and what is possible.
How do you plan and create something different from what for many have been plans since childhood? This year’s weddings have taken twists and turns, re-schedules and re-venues, and disappointment. One wedding that I am currently involved with has been scheduled three times and a concert of mine is now on its fourth date. In my previous article I wrote about knowing your venue; availability and guidelines so that your music is able to fit to complete your desires and wishes. If you are faced with a change in any element of your plans it gives you a chance to recreate your event into something even better than what you had originally planned. In my performing career there have been times when faced with the tightest of performance restrictions the best artistic endeavor emerged because those involved worked even harder than what we originally would have had we been given more resources.
The famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach oversaw the music for four Lutheran churches in Leipzig, Germany. That meant rehearsing choirs in the choir school for each of those churches and providing cantatas each week. With chamber orchestras for those cantatas he did not always have the instruments that he needed. So, instead of having the oboe player he wanted he had to have a recorder or clarinet, so you rewrite the part and continue on. Your plans started with a church wedding with a large group of friends, the church organ and your favorite music. Now, you are having an intimate get together in your parent’s yard with a dozen people. This is a huge adjustment and not just getting a recorder player instead of an oboist, BUT how can you have the music you wanted? In this incredible technological age there are so many options. What if you kept your plans as is and talked with your musicians and had them record your musical choices and then have the recordings played at your home service? I cannot imagine not being willing to oblige a bride’s request for this possibility. We are live streaming gatherings, meetings and services. I have done them live and pre-recorded and in both instances viewers and listeners are able to participate in the time continuum.
How about you have your music recorded for your day and you live stream from the yard? This way your meaningful elements are present in a new and wonderful way to express your Feeling like someone in love!
Town Bride Article Spring/Summer 2021
Do you have your MUSIC license?
Warmer weather is in the air and the plans for your wedding day are taking form, making sure that your checklist is in order. Big or small, elaborate or simple there are details that need to be attended to and checked off your list. In today’s world we have so many options that can add to your celebration. Your grandparents would have never, ever imagined the possibility of destination weddings, bridal and bachelor party trips, venue and food options to mention just a few. In their day many people took an afternoon off accompanied by a few friends and possibly family to the Justice of the Peace and were married in a simple civil service. It was followed by a meal and toast after which the newlyweds took off in their car adorned with streamers or even shoes!! The antics of friends obviously have continued through the years and their “fun” has only increased and broadened. Quite often, a friend of the couple would be fortunate enough to have a camera and would take of few shots to remember the day. Or, they would go to a photography studio and have a sitting for their wedding photos. Now, we have videos, live streams and a plethora of options to share your day with all your friends, either in person or distanced.
When planning your special day you certainly want to include the music that will accompany the events. You need to be informed and knowledgeable about the copyright and legal ownership of your choices, which will alleviate trouble in the future. Copyright on music and performances is now a very serious issue. Especially, if you are having a video produced to accompany pictures or the ceremony is being live streamed and available on line after the day of the event.
A church that normally live streams their worship services will have Copyright in order, speak with the resident Music Director about their coverage and if it will take care of your choices for a live stream and/or continued internet posting of your wedding ceremony. If you are at an independent venue, talk with your performers and/or the DJ that you have hired about the coverage of your musical choices. When hiring someone to produce a video of your pictures accompanied by some of your favorite music make sure that the music is covered by copyright laws. Especially, if your ceremony will be accessible on the internet past the time of the event.
Doing some homework on this issue will pay off in the long run. Talk to the people you have contracted and ask questions about your ceremony and reception music. Hopefully, the wonderful music choices you have in mind will accompany your celebration to give you a lifetime of memories!