MUSIC AMONG MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF WEDDING CEREMONY

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 14, 1993                   TAG: 9302120131
SECTION: YOUR WEDDING                    PAGE: YW-14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
MUSIC AMONG MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF WEDDING CEREMONY
Organists help couples add spirituality, meaning and elegance to their wedding music.
As any bride or groom well knows, there are many things to think about and many decisions to be made in planning a wedding. One of the most important parts of any wedding ceremony is the music.
Most weddings take place in a church or synagogue, and for centuries the organ has proved to be the ideal musical instrument for church music. Church organists are trained and experienced in planning music for weddings. The organist will be happy to assist in this important decision.
The Roanoke chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) invites bridal couples to attend two sample weddings where a variety of wedding music will be presented. This program will include vocal and instrumental music for organ, harp and flute, and trumpet. The program is free.
Couples are welcome to bring their families, attendants, and others who are interested in their wedding music. This non-denominational program will be at Bethel Baptist Church on Friday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. (The church is located at 1601 Colorado St. in Salem.)
The church organist should be contacted regarding music for the wedding as soon as the wedding is placed on the church calendar. It is usually best if the bride and bridegroom both meet with the organist. After your selections are made, it is nice to take time with your families to discuss your selections and how important your decisions are to the wedding ritual. The couple should inquire of the organist and the pastor about any wedding guidelines of their chosen church.
Some of the decisions in planning wedding music include:

What songs, if any, should be included.

How should family and friends participate in the musical part of the ceremony.

How should the prelude music be chosen.

How are the processional and recessional chosen. Will there be any musicians other than the organist. How should the musicians be chosen.

How the musicians will be compensated?

The organist is the person with the training and experience to help answer these questions. The organist has knowledge of many instrumental and vocal selections that you may wish to include in your special service. He or she can also help you locate vocalists or instrumentalists appropriate for your music selections.
You should consult with the organist before asking anyone to sing or play for your wedding. The Roanoke Chapter of the AGO has compiled a booklet which provides guidance on the questions above and many other aspects of music for weddings. This booklet will be available at the program on Feb. 19.
If the church where your wedding service will be held does not have an organist who is in a position to counsel you, members of the local chapter of the AGO can help you.
A wedding is a time of celebration, and the music should be joyful and dignified. The music should be well-written, discriminately chosen and offered with integrity.
For information on the booklet or the program by the AGO, please contact the chapter dean, Glenna Fisher, at 343-2365.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB