[Music for the Wedding]
GUIDELINES (Please Read First)
Music for the wedding should be planned jointly by the couple utilizing the digital music on the next page in consultation with the music staff. Keep in mind that the Sacrament of Marriage is a liturgical celebration. Therefore, one of the basic principles that should underlie your selection of music is whether the music is liturgical. The function of liturgical music is ministerial. It should assist the assembled believers in expressing and sharing the faith within them and nourish and strengthen their interior commitment of faith.
Popular songs and secular music are not appropriate at any time during the sacramental rites. However, these songs will fit at your wedding reception.
DIRECTOR OF LITURGY & MUSIC, DAVID KIMOCK
(215) 968-2262 x16
The Director of Music determines the suitability of musical selections within the context of the Roman Catholic wedding liturgy and must approve all music and musicians chosen for the ceremony. The music director also bears the essential responsibility of ensuring proper performance and timing of the various musical portions of the wedding liturgy. Therefore, please get in touch with the music director as soon as possible to make arrangements. These arrangements should be at least three months before your wedding.
CANTORS
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All wedding liturgies require a cantor, and only experienced Saint Andrew cantors can serve in this capacity. This decision helps avoid disappointment to the couple and their families. It ensures a desirable continuity with the church's regular worship life and protects Saint Andrew Parish's mission in terms of a high-quality liturgy. It also helps guarantee that the service will go smoothly because the presider, cantor, organist, and instrumentalists are accustomed to working with each other and the specific acoustical demands of the liturgical space.
INSTRUMENTALISTS
Instrumentalists (trumpet, violin, flute, harp, trio, quartet, etc.) may be used upon approval of, and arrangement with, the music office. Due to musical and liturgical requirements, only experienced Saint Andrew instrumentalists may play for weddings at Saint Andrew. If a couple desires individual instrumentalists, the music staff will recommend musicians to you, but you must secure their services. Instrumental trios, quartets, or other ensembles are contracted independently of Saint Andrew Church, and each ensemble likewise sets its fees. Names and contact information for approved music ensemble contractors are available from the Director of Music.
Please be sure to click on the button above to download/print out the Music Selections .pdf. On this document, you are permitted to make your selections for the music.
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In the area below, you will be able to preview music that is appropriate for a wedding celebration, and where it can be played during the ceremony. Please click on the specific music's play button (triangle will go from white to gold) to hear selection.
SEATING OF PARENTS & GRANDPARENTS | If you would like a particular piece of music for the seating of the parents, please choose one of the selections below, or leave it blank if you have no preference.
ENTRANCE OF THE BRIDAL PARTY | Usually the music for this is soft and "meditative."
ENTRANCE OF THE BRIDE | This is usually music that is grand and stately. Common choices are:
GLORIA | We sing the Gloria during a full Mass. Musicians choose the setting.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM | This comes after the first reading, and by tradition, is always sung. Please select one of the following:
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION | We sing the Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia) before the Gospel. Again, the musicians choose the setting.
PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS | This is when the gifts of bread and wine are presented after the vows are made. Please select one: (Leave blank if you are not having a Mass.)
COMMUNION | Any Eucharistic hymn would be appropriate here. Please choose one: (Leave blank if you are not having a Mass.)
PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY | (Optional)
___ Yes, we are doing this.
___ No, we're not doing this.
* Any Marian hymn setting would be appropriate here. Traditionally, we sing "Ave Maria" by Franz Schubert.
RECESSIONAL | This is your processional march out of church and it is a joyous musical expression. Please indicate one selection. If you already chose one of the pieces for your Processional at the beginning of the wedding liturgy, you'll need to select a different piece here for the end of the liturgy.
Should any of the digital music files above have issues, we have included a backup link that is available through Google Drive Share. Please click the button above to access the drive. It has all of the digital media in folders, as well as the selections .pdf that you can download and print for your selections.
