The Organ Forum

I dont know if this is the right place to post this, if not please feel free to move it.

Hello me and my fiance are getting married next month, instead of having traditional hymns in our ceremony we have decided to have 3 fairly modern "songs". Ones that our appropriate to the setting and ceremony. We have spoken to the organist and she has agreed as long as we let her know soon so she has time to practice.

We are a little stuck for ideas and would love some of your expert input.

To give you an example of the sort of song we are looking for here are 3 examples that we both really like.

Let if Be - The Beatles

God Only Knows - The Beachboys

Say a Little Prayer - Aretha Franklin

We know for a fact that Let it Be is ok as the organist has previously played this in a ceremony, however we are not sure if the other 2 are even possible to play well on a church organ.

So please any good suggestion will be considered and you will be doing us both a HUGE favour by providing suggestions.

Thank you

Barry and Louse 

How about Yesterday by the Beatles?  I've offered to play it for weddings, but oddly enough, there have been no takers.

Seriously, songs like those you have suggested may be better accompanying soloists or duets?  I know some of my couples have requested the song Prayer as sung by Josh Grobin and some other lady.  I've even had a bride request Butterfly Kisses, but that had special meaning between herself and her father.

The repertoire of popular music used with vocals is tremendously varied, and few contemporary pieces stand the test of time.  Others probably shouldn't stand the test of time, but they keep being requested.

Bottom line, your organist is probably the best person to advise you here--especially since (s)he will be the person playing.

Hope this helps.

Michael

Personally, I find modern music (that goes for gospel hymns) and pop songs don't play very well on an organ at all (from the organist's point of view and from the audience's point of view) - that said have you asked to organist to play a short extract of each just to hear how it sounds?

In cases like this I suggest perhaps having the songs performed on a piano instead and it will be more faithful to the original sound the composer(s) intended it to be. Many churches have pianos, if they don't, pianos are readily available for hire from local piano dealers at affordable prices. If not, a keyboard plugged into some discreetly placed speakers may do the trick.

As a last resort, playing a CD over the church sound system is one option you might want to consider - its been done at my Church and it works better than you'd expect. Again, ask if you can try out a CD on the sound system.

Like myorgan has said, its best to see how the organist feels about playing these modern songs. Ask for the organist to play a couple of lines whilst you walk around the Church to gauge how well it sounds.

It is possible to arrange most pop songs for church organ but, as nullogik says, some don't work at all well. It depends on the organ and the skill of the organist as an arranger. Give the organist plenty of time.

I prefer to go with the idea of a keyboard, again, providing your organist can play one properly. I had requests for Wind Beneath My Wings and a C&W piece by Shania Twain last year. I told the bride to be that the organ wouldn't do much of a job and played them to her on keyboard. She approved and that's what I did on the day. The keyboard was set up right next to the organ at the back of the church and switching from one to the other was easy. Personal taste, I know, but I think the contrast between the traditional hymns played on a 150 year old tracker and the modern tunes played on a 21st century box of tricks was very effective - the vicar asked if I could do things like that more often!

Andy

I agree with andyg.

I've played on a pipe organ anything from the serious works, to the Beatles, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Star Trek, etc. It depends on the organ that you have because some are more versatile than others, and it also depends on the organist being able to adapt the music to suit the instrument. Generally speaking, I've found that organs can handle just about anything, it just depends on the organist and the organ that you've got.

Andyg is right about giving the organist PLENTY of time. Sometimes we get requests at the last minute, and we're expected be a magician and pull it off in no time flat. While I've been able to pull off situations like that in the past, being given adequate time would have been far more considerate and less stressful. Communication is crucial.

It seems I may be in the minority here, but I would like to give another perspective (for what it is worth).

I would much prefer to hear pop music at the reception and not during a wedding, especially if it is secular.

Sacred music underscores the sanctity of the marriage ceremony; pop music can trivialize a religious ceremony and turn it into an entertainment.  Classical music elevates the experience for everyone, and has a suitably 'timeless' quality.  It can be lighthearted or even humorous classical music - it doesn't have to sound like a dirge!

I hear the argument that it should be 'whatever the bride & groom want'.  It seems that many younger people feel it is always about "me" - what I want... it is my wedding, etc.  True enough...  But I think it is good to keep in mind that there are many people in the congregation, some have come very far to witness the ceremony.  It would be very gracious to consider them when making choices.

I think there is a place and time for different sorts of music.  A Beethoven string quartet wouldn't be appropriate during a sock-hop or pep rally, and pop tunes are not really appropriate during a religious ceremony - especially a wedding.  The reason I say that is because a lot of popular music will be in fashion only for a few months before it is forgotten by the public.  A pop tune that quickly goes out of fashion seems incongruous with the intended permanence of a marriage.

I suppose that is why most brides wear a wedding gown and grooms wear tuxedos - these are classic.  If they instead chose to wear avocado green polyester leisure suits (which were indeed in fashion for a time!) they might be horrified to reflect on the moment of their marriage.

I do like the Beatles and admit that their music has a 'classical' timelessness.  But even that would be a beyond the limit of what I would be willing to play.  Aretha Franklin and the Beach Boys are also great... but they are what makes the music so wonderful.  Hearing their music rearranged, played on the 'wrong' instrument, or as a wordless melody, can have a particularly vapid effect.  It is like cheesy Muzak in the supermarket. 

After hearing your organist make a valiant attempt, you might realize after the fact that it was a mistake.  Don't risk that!  I agree that you should let her play the pieces she knows best; organ pieces written to take advantage of the organ's special qualities.  Many organists are really 'pros' who have solid knowledge of repertoire for their instrument, and can guide you towards an appropriate choice.

If I absolutely had no choice, I would want to play these sorts of pieces on the piano.

Fortunately at my church I have a very strong say in the music selections; if the couple is really insistent - I suggest another organist. 

I'm sure we know that this has been one of those 'can of worms' topics that's been done to death in previous threads, SB32! We've had all sides of the argument on here. I respect others opinions, even if I might not agree with them, but let's not start this one again....

Andy

myorgan:

How about Yesterday by the Beatles?  I've offered to play it for weddings, but oddly enough, there have been no takers.

I'm surprised no one seemed to get my attempt at humor:

• Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away.
• Now it looks as though they're here to stay.
• Oh, I believe in Yesterday!

On another note, folks, I believe we're talking to ourselves on this thread.  Brodie hasn't signed back on since he signed up a few days ago.  Oh, well.  Wonder if he forgot his password.

Michael

soubasse32:

I think there is a place and time for different sorts of music.  A Beethoven string quartet wouldn't be appropriate during a sock-hop or pep rally, and pop tunes are not really appropriate during a religious ceremony - especially a wedding.  The reason I say that is because a lot of popular music will be in fashion only for a few months before it is forgotten by the public.  A pop tune that quickly goes out of fashion seems incongruous with the intended permanence of a marriage.

AMEN!!!  Preach it, brother!  I agree with your assessment of the appropriateness of music for the wedding vs. reception and their different emphasis (covenant vs. party).

However, can you remember back when you were that young, impetuous, wide-eyed, and terribly impractical?  I can't, but figure it's worth a try.  Kids that age probably won't make terribly wise decisions--especially considering it's probably one of the first decisions they've made with their future partner.  It's often likely to go awry without thoughtful guidance like SB and others have suggested.

In fact, some churches insist on editorial choice when it comes to wedding music.  The priest/preacher reserves the right for final approval of the music used for the wedding.  Probably not a bad idea.

Michael

Krikey, I was looking at my post and just realized that it could have been interpreted to mean that I've played Star Wars, Harry Potter, etc. for weddings. Heavens no!

I played all of those things for children's services and during organ demos to show folks how versatile organs can be and to show the children how much fun organs can be.

In all the weddings I've played, I've never had any requests for pop music. I'm not sure why. I've either had couples who wanted very traditional (Wagner's Bridal March, etc.), somewhat traditional (some classical pieces and some traditional wedding pieces), or completely untraditional (but all classical/romantic/baroque works nonetheless). For example, I had a bride who wanted to recess to Minuet Gothique from Suite Gothique, another who wanted the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, and a groom who wanted Festive Trumpet Tune as the bride's processional piece.

Cheerio!

My brother has an official RC liturgy certificate.  And if I understanding him correctly, the official position of the RC Church is that all wedding and funeral music must be appropriately liturgical.  In practice, this position is violated more often than it is enforced (Wagner and Mendelssohn notwithstanding).  I personally agree with the official position, which is along the lines of what SB32 has already expressed in this thread.

Although I enjoy playing the Wagner & Mendelssohn wedding pieces, I've learned that even they are not entirely appropriate for weddings... if you know the reason they were written.

myorgan:

However, can you remember back when you were that young, impetuous, wide-eyed, and terribly impractical?

No, I'm afraid I was an old curmudgeon when I was born.  Luckily I've been regressing ever since.    Someday soon I hope to be able to kick up my heels a bit.

soubasse32:

Although I enjoy playing the Wagner & Mendelssohn wedding pieces, I've learned that even they are not entirely appropriate for weddings... if you know the reason they were written.

myorgan:

However, can you remember back when you were that young, impetuous, wide-eyed, and terribly impractical?

No, I'm afraid I was an old curmudgeon when I was born.  Luckily I've been regressing ever since.    Someday soon I hope to be able to kick up my heels a bit.

My church used to forbid using either of the "traditional" wedding marches because of their secular and irreligious origins.  We've had some changes in staff in the past few years so I don't know if the ban is still in force.  I've never been married, but my sister used Clarke's "Trumpet Voluntary" for her entrance and Vidor's "Toccatta" for their exit.  The "Trumpet Voluntary" appears to be quite popular here for bridal entrances.

David

ReedGuy:

Krikey, I was looking at my post and just realized that it could have been interpreted to mean that I've played Star Wars, Harry Potter, etc. for weddings.

I have a colleague who wrote a Widor style toccata based on William's 'Imperial March' from Star Wars, and I wrote one based on 'Sweet Georgia Brown', melody lines played on the pedals, but that's another story!

Most of my wedding playing has also centered around the Wagner/Mendelssohn combo (that's not meant to sound like a jazz group but come to think of it, what a group it might have made!) with, yes, Clarke, Handel et al making an appearance now and then. And yes, I've occasionally gently pointed out that the little 4-rank (1 partly missing) isn't quite going to give them the sound that they had in mind for the Widor. (Don't think my rendition of it would either! )

Andy

At our RC Church, the Parish Priest reserves the right to amend music that might be picked for a service.

Personally, I think pop songs have their place and that is at the reception/after party. That said like some others have mentioned, the "traditional" pieces often used at weddings don't have any religious connotations either. Difficult situation...if you are a stickler for the "rules".

I know what I'd have for my wedding service exit piece and that is Grand Choeur Triomphal Op. 47/2 by Guilmant, whether my future wife-to-be would want that I don't know yet...

I've heard of some parishes in the UK banning the use of Jerusalem (the hymn) at services because they feel it is not "religious" in anyway.

I see Reedguy mentioned he has played some Star Trek pieces on the organ...being a bit of a Trekie that caught my eye. What piece from Star Trek was it?...a theme tune? I had been tempted to try one out - obviously not on the organ at my Church.