Music
If you are planning a wedding on Cape Cod or are holding a convention at one of our many fine resorts, you can bring an extra element of sophistication to your affair by including live string music.
My personal music library of over 400 selections ranges from the classical elegance of Vivaldi and Mozart to the more contemporary sounds of jazz and ragtime.
Whether you need a solo violinist for a church or beach wedding or are looking for a string duo, trio or quartet for a reception or dinner party, I would be happy to work with you to bring a unique musical touch to your event.
Violin Solo (Listening audio coming soon.)
| Andante, Bach | Trumpet Voluntary, Clarke |
| Bridal Chorus, Wagner | B'ruchim Habayim, traditional |
| Since First I Saw Your Face, Ford | March in D, Händel |
| Khosn Kale, Mazl Tov, traditional | Fantasia in A Major, Telemann |
String Duo (Listening audio coming soon.)
| Duo in D Major, Haydn | Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Bach |
| Y'verech'cha, traditional | Alla Hornpipe, Händel |
| Canonic Sonata, Telemann | L-O-V-E, Nat King Cole |
| I Got Rhythm, Gershwin | Maple Leaf Rag, Joplin |
Planning music for your ceremony
There are many things to think about when selecting music for your wedding. The music will serve to set a tone for the ceremony. It may be used to highlight special parts of the ceremony. It can provide a background to ceremonies or rituals within the service, or it can serve to fill gaps, as when readers are going to the front to speak. Here are what I have found to be the most important considerations for selecting wedding music:
What mood do you want to create?
Musicians can tailor their selections to create diverse moods. Do you want a prelude that is quiet and meditative, or up-beat and cheerful? How about your processional? Do you want it to be stately, calm, or joyous? What musical character will help you feel composed as you walk down the aisle?
How large is the bridal party?
While a short musical selection can be repeated for longer processionals, a longer piece of music will not be suitable for a small bridal party unless there is a good internal cadence. Your wedding musicians should advise you on what pieces will work for the size of your bridal party. Pieces with several short sections, such as Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” and Clarke’s “Trumpet Volulntary” are ideal processionals, as they can be extended or cut according to need.
Will you want one processional, two, or three?
Many couples like to have special music for the seating of the mothers and grandmothers. This may be treated as the last selection of the prelude or as a separate processional.
Often, if there are only a few bridesmaids, or if the aisle is very short, it works best to have the same music for bridesmaids and bride. The musicians can adjust tempo, register, or dynamics for the entrance of the bride.
If you have a large number of bridesmaids, or if the aisle is long or the spacing wide, it is common to have distinct and separate processional music for the bride. In this case, be sure that the music for the bridesmaids does not overpower the music for the bride. For example, if you select Händel's "Aire" for the bride, it would be advisable to avoid a strong piece like "The Prince of Denmark's March" for the bridesmaids. Also, certain pieces are so strongly associated with the entrance of a bride (Wagner's "Bridal Chorus," for example) that using them for another purpose may be confusing.
I do not recommend separate music for flower girls or ring bearers. If your bridal party includes children, it is best to have them enter to the same music as the bridesmaids.
Do you want music during the ceremony?
Your musicians will be more than happy to provide incidental music. Short, quiet selections can be used for musical meditations. Background music can be played during a rose or sand ceremony, during the presentation of the gifts, or even during a pastoral prayer. Short selections can be used to fill gaps when guests are stepping to the front for readings, or to accentuate special parts of the ceremony. You may wish, for example, to highlight the exchanging of rings with soft music. If you are having communion, longer pieces, such as “Panis Angelicus” or “Ave Maria” are perfect choices. Incidental music is not a part of traditional Jewish ceremonies.
What music is appropriate?
Be sure to consult with your priest, rabbi, or minister about appropriate music. Many churches and synagogues have guidelines or rules about music used for ceremonies. Some, for example, do not permit the use of secular music. Others may have particular songs or pieces that they require as part of the liturgy. Be sure to convey this information to your musicians as well, so that they do not inadvertently include in their prelude anything that might be unsuitable.
Special Requests
If there is a special piece or song you want included in your ceremony, be sure the musicians have the music and that it is suitable for their type of ensemble. Musicians can usually locate whatever music you want, but if it needs to be adapted to their instrumentation, they will need advance notice. Some music, of course, is not adaptable to certain musical groupings.
Is there any obligation to the church organist or cantor?
Some churches and synagogues have a contractual agreement with their organist and/or cantor that guarantees them priority for ceremonies. Be sure to ask the priest, minister, or rabbi if you have any obligation to use the regular musicians before contracting with outside musicians. There is usually no problem with booking other musicians to perform with or in addition to the regular musicians, however, and the inclusion of an instrumental or vocal soloist with the regular musicians can help make your wedding ceremony a unique and memorable experience.
Do you plan to have a friend or relative perform at your wedding?
A musical presentation by a close friend or relative can add a personal touch to your ceremony. If they will need to be accompanied by your professional musicians, however, be sure to clear it with the contractor or group leader. Most groups are happy to accommodate such requests, but if there is a need for the musicians to arrive early for a rehearsal, there is likely to be an extra charge.
Violinist David Gable has been providing music for Cape Cod weddings for over 25 years. He holds degrees in music performance from the University of Michigan School of Music and the Boston University School of Fine Arts. He has performed with many notable ensembles and festivals in New England, including the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, the New Orchestra of Boston, the Rhode Island Philharmonic, the Boston Ballet Orchestra, the Meeting House Chamber Music Festival, the Bellini Festival Orchestra, and the Monomoy Chamber Ensemble. On Cape Cod he performs with the Simon Sinfonietta and the Falmouth Chorale. David and his wife, Susan, perform frequently as “Arco e dolce,” a violin and viola duo.