What songs may be sung in a Christian wedding? Must we use one of the "traditional marches" for our processional and recessional, or is other music available? Must the music preceding the wedding always be soft?
As couples begin to think more and more seriously about their weddings, questions about music are inevitable. A Christian wedding is a sacred service, reflecting a scriptural view of love and marriage. How can we convey that same sacred theme through music?
Many churches attempt to answer these questions about music and other aspects of the wedding service by presenting the couple with a booklet that outlines the church's standards for the wedding ceremony. Also imperative is a consultation with the church organist well before the wedding.
Some suggested criteria for choosing wedding music follow:
—Appropriateness for service of worship
—Themes of service
—Time of year/day/church calendar
—Individual church standards and norms/theology/liturgy
—Architecture/acoustics,
—Media of performance/instrument to be used
—Performers/congregation
—Bride/family tastes
—Budget allotment
—Unity and variety of musical ideas
The organ prelude can be a dignified expression of quiet, peaceful joy or a demonstration of jubilant praise. Just remember that the prelude serves to unite the thoughts of all present toward worship of God.
The organ processional needn't be a march but should still be festive, majestic, and bright. The recessional should be joyful and dignified, perhaps including several pieces of varying degrees of loudness.
Joseph Galema is director of cadet chapel music activities and Protestant cadet chapel organist for the United States Air Force Academy., Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The following list of organ and vocal music for weddings is certainly not exhaustive but does provide a wide variety of choices for musicians. Individual tastes and available musical editions will have much to do with determining an individual's wedding repertoire. Through the music, may all present at the wedding celebrate the joy that comes from God's love!
Key to Terms
Pre = prelude
Pro = processional
Post = postlude
Rec = recessional
E = easy
M = moderate
D = difficult
LIST OF WEDDING MUSIC FOR ORGAN
Alcock, John (1715-1806)
"Voluntary in D"
Old Engish Organ Music for Manuals, Book 5, Oxford 31.212
Pre; key of D; 3'30"; E
[Alcock was a pupil of John Stanley and organist of Lichfield Cathedral. Manuals only.]
Arnatt, Ronald (1930- )
"Fanfare"
Concordia 97-5144
Rec; key of C; 2'00"; M
"Procession"
Gray 860
Pro, Rec; key ol D; 2'15"; D
Arne, Thomas (1710-1778)
"Allegro"
Old English Organ Music for Manuals, Book 3, Oxford 31.203
Pre; key of C; 2'45"; E
[Organ solo from a concerto. Manuals only.]
Bach, J. S. (1685-1750)
"Air" (from Suite 3) (arr. C. H. Trevor)
Wedding Album for Manuals, EKn 26.2750.07
Pre;key of C; 4'15"; E
[The famous "Air on the G string." Manuals only.]
"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"
(arr. Georg Fjelrad)
Hansen 3983
Pre, Pro; key of G; 3'00" E
[Excelent 3-manual arrangement]
"Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel
herunter" (Lobe den Herren), BWV
650
Orgelwerke, Vol. 1, Barenreiter BA 5171
Pre; key of G; 3'05"; M
[A trio, tanscribed from the alto solo with violin obbligato and basso
continua from Cantata No. 137, with solo in the pedal.]
"Now Thank We All Our God"
Organ Music lor Services of Thanksgiving, Oxford 0 19 37586547
Pre, Pro, Rec; key of C; 1'50"; E
"Prelude and Fugue in E-flat major"
BWV 552
Orgelwerke, Vol 4, Barenreiter BA 5174
Pre, Pro, Rec; key of E-flat; 16'30"; D; Can be cut (for example, fist fugue only).
[5-voice texture. Can be used for a lengthy processional or recessional.]
"Prelude and Fugue in G," BWV 541
Orgelwerke, Vol. 5, Barenreiter BA 5175
Pre, Rec; key of G; 8'00"; D
[Chamber-oriented (Italian style) prelude consists of briliant runs of broken chords and scales, and fugue is dancelike.]
"Presto" (from Concerto in G), BWV 592
Orgelwerke, VoL 8, Barenreiter BA 5178
Rec; key of G; 1'30"; D
Beethoven, Ludwig van (1770-1827)
"Hymn to Joy" (arr. Ian Hare)
Oxford 31.231
Pre, Pro, Rec; key of D; 1'45"; M
"Processional of Joy" (arr. Hal H. Hopson)
Car Fischer P 3236
Pre, Pro, Rec; key of G; 2'30"; E
[Includes a trumpet tune on "Ode to Joy" which can be used separately.]
Bender, Jan (1909- )
"Praise the Almighty, My Soul, Adore Him"
Festival Preludes on Six Chorales, op. 26, Concordia 97-4608
Pre key of G; 3'25"; M
[Starkly harmonized chorale followed by a manuals-only prelude.]
"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" Festival Preludes on Six Chorales, op. 26, Concordia 97-4608
Pre, Rec; key of G; 3'00"; M
[Open fourths and open fifths harmonizations.]
Bennett, John (1735-1784)
"Adagio" (from a voluntary)
Old English Organ Music for Manuals, Book 2, Oxford 31.202
Pre; key of F; 1'30"; E
[Manuals only]
"Adagio" (from a voluntary)
Old English Organ Music for Manuals, Book 3, Oxford 31.203
Pre; key of A; 2'20"; E
[Manuals only.]
"Trumpet Voluntary"
Old English Organ Music for Manuals, Book 1, Oxford 31.201
Pre, Pro; key of D; 4'30"; E
[Manuals only]
Berg, George (ca. 1770)
"Cornet Voluntary"
Old English Organ Music for Manuals, Book 5, Oxford 31.212
Pre; key of G minor; 2'15"; E
[Manuals only]
Bliss, Sir Arthur (1891-1975)
"Fanfare for the Bride"
Royal Fanfares and Interludes, Novello 01.0065.10
Pro; key of B-flat; 0'30"; E
[Composed for the Marriage of HRH Princess Margaret in Westminster
Abbey, 6 May 1960. Ends in E-flat.]
"A Wedding Fanfare"
Royal Fanfares and Interludes, Novello 01.0065.10
Pro; key of B-flat; 1'10";M
[Composed for the Marriage of HRH Princess Margaret in Westminster
Abbey, 6 May 1960.]
Bloch, Ernest (1880-1959)
"Wedding March No. I"
Four Wedding Marches for Organ, G. Schirmer 42418
Pro, Rec; key of A; 3'30"; M
"Wedding March No. III"
Four Wedding Marches for Organ, G. Schirmer 42418
Pro, Rec; key of F; 2'30"; M
[Optional pedal on last 14 bars]
Heron, Henry (18th century)
"Cornet Voluntary"
Old English Organ Music for Manuals, Book 2, Oxford 31.202
Pre; key of D minor; 3'20";E
[Manuals only.]
"Trumpet Voluntary"
Old English Organ Music for Manuals, Book 4, Oxford 31.204
Pre; key of G; 2'00"; E
[Manuals only.]
"Voluntary in G"
Old English Organ Music for Manuals, Book 1, Oxford 31.201
Pre; key of G; 2'00"; E
[Manuals only]
Hustad, Donald P. (1918- )
"Processional on 'Laude Anima' "
Three Organ Hymns, Hope 341
Pro; key of D; 2'30"; M
[Based on the hymn "Praise, My Soul, fie King of Heaven."]
"Recessional on 'Nun Danket' "
Three Organ Hymns, Hope 341
Rec; key of C; 2'20"; M
Ireland, John (1979-1962)
"Alla Marcia"
Wedding Album, Novello 01.0123.00
Pro, Rec; key of G; 2'25"; M
[Ireland was a pupil of Standford and a teacher of Britten]
Jackson, Francis (1917- )
"Fanfare"
A Festive Album, Oxford 31.169
Pro; key of B-flat; 1'45"; M
[Jackson was Organist and Master of the Music at York Minster]
Jacob, Gordon (1895-1984)
"Alla Marcia"
Easy Modern Organ Music for Manuals, Oxford 31.993
Rec; key of G; 2'30"; E
[Gordon was a pupil of Stanford.]
"Festal Flourish"
An Album of Praise, Oxford 31.173
Rec; key of B-flat; 2'40"; M
[Large solo reed required.]
James, John (? -1745)
"Allegro in D"
Wedding Music for the Church Organist and Soloist, Abingdon Press APM-164
Pro; key of D; 1'40"; E
Johnson, David N. (1922-1987)
"Trumpet Tune" (Homage to the 18th century)
An Album of Postludes, Oxford 31.186
Pro, Rec; key of E-flat; 2'05' (Can be cut); M
[Mid-section in G minor.]
"Trumpet Tune in D major"
Augsburg 11-0805
Pro; key of D; 3'00"; E
Karg-Elert, Sigfrid (1877-1933)
"Now Thank We All Our God"
Wedding Music, Part II, Concordia 97-1370
Rec; key of G; 3'10"; M
"Praise the Lord with Drums and Cymbals, op. 101"
Karg-Elert Album, Marks
Rec; key of C; 3'30"; M
[Pseudo-Handelian setting from an impressionistic composer.]
Lang, Craig S. (1891-1971)
"Fanfare, op. 85"
Fanfares and Processionals, Novello 01.0094.03
Pro; key of D; 1'24"; M
[Lang was a pupil of Stanford.]
"Procession"
An Album of Postludes, Oxford 31.186
Pro, Rec; key of D; 3'00" (can be cut); M
[Mid-section in G minor.]
"Tuba Tune in D major, op. 15"
Cramer St. M. 17
Rec; key of D; 2'00"; E
Lange, Samuel de, Jr. (1840-1911)
"Hochzeitsmarsch"
Romantic Flourishes (ed. Wayne Leupold), Belwin Mills Dm 64 (Romantic Organ Literature Series 3)
Pro, Rec; key of E-flat; 4'00"; D
Langlais, Jean (1907-1991)
"Acclamations"
Suite Medievale, Salabert
Rec; key of C; 4:10; D
[Langlais was a pupil of Dupr and succeeded Tournemire as organist of Ste. Clotilde, Paris.]
"Pasticcio"
Organ Book (Ten Pieces)
Elkan-Vogel
Rec; key of A; 2:15; E
[Very little pedal.]
Lemmens, Nicolas Jacques (1823-1881)
"Fanfare"
Gray GSOC 68
Rec; key of D; 2:50; M
[A Belgian composer, Lemmens was the teacher of Guilmant and Widor.]
Ley, Henry D. (1887-1962)
"Prelude on 'St. Columba'"
A Book of Hymn Tune Voluntaries Oxford 31.050
Pre; key of E; 2:00; M
Manz, Paul (1919- )
"God of Grace, op. 14" (Cwm Rhondda)
Ten Chorale Improvisations, Set V, Concordia 97-5257
Rec; key of F; 2:10; M
Marcello, Benedetto (1686-1739)
"Psalm XIX"
Wedding Music, Part I, Concordia 97-1369
Rec; key of C; 2:20; E
Martin, Gilbert M. (1941- )
"Dialogue"
8 New Trumpet Tunes for Organ, Lorenz KK 93
Pro; key of C; 2:00; M
[Fanfare.]
"A Festive Trumpet Tune"
8 New Trumpet Tunes for Organ, Lorenz KK 93
Pro; key of D; 2:00; E
"The Silver Trumpet"
8 New Trumpet Tunes for Organ, Lorenz KK 93
Pre, Pro; key of G; 1:10; E
[5/4 time signature may prove tricky for processional.]
Mathias, William (1934- )
"Postlude"
An Album of Postludes, Oxford 31.186
Rec; key of D; 2:35; M
[Sharp, rhythmic style.]
"Processional"
Modern Organ Music, Book 1, Oxford 31.190
Pro, Rec; key of A minor; 3:00; M
McCabe, Michael (1941- )
"Fanfares and Flourishes"
AMSI OR-4
Pro; E
I key of D; 0:30; Tempo = Fast 'n snazzy
II key of A; 0:15; Tempo = Solemn, rather slow
III key of B-flat; 0:20; Tempo = Crisp
IV key of D minor; 0:30; Tempo = March-like
V key of G; 0:30; Tempo = Nobly
[Good for a trumpet fanfare preceding the procession. The last fanfare has 3 endings: one for leading into "Adeste Fideles," one for leading into "Easter Hymn," and one original ending.]
Mendelssohn, Felix (1809-1847)
"Allegro Maestoso (Sonata 2)
Complete Organ Works, Peters 1744
Pro, Rec; key of C; 1:30; M
[Martial.]
Micheelsen, Hans Friedrich (1902-1973)
"Toccata, Lobe den Herren"
Organ Music for Services of Thanksgiving, Oxford 0 19 375854 7
Rec; key of G; 2:00; M
[Micheelsen was a student of Hindemith in Berlin.]
Milford, Robin (1903-1959)
"The King of Love (St. Columba)"
Wedding Music, Part II, Concordia 97-1370
Pre; key of A-flat; 3:00; E
Mouret, Jean Joseph (1682-1738)
"Rondeau" (arr. Elaine C. Gardner)
Sinfonies de Fanfares, Gray GSTC 980
Pro, Rec; key of D; 2:25; E
[Originally conceived for trumpets, drums, violins and oboes.]
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus (1756-1791)
"Wedding March" (arr. Christopher Dearnley)
Ceremonial Music for Organ, Book 2, Oxford 31.986
Pre, Pro; key of C; 2:35; E
[From The Marriage of Figaro.]
Mulet, Henri (1878-1967)
"Carillon-Sortie"
Marks
Rec; key of D; 4:35; D
[A toccata based on the sounds of bells. Mulet was a pupil of Widor.]
Mushel, Georgi (1909- )
"Toccata"
Modern Organ Music, Book 2, Oxford 31.196
Rec; key of C; 4:30; D
[Contemporary Russian composer.]
Pachelbel, Johann (1653-1706)
"Canon in D" (arr. S. Drummond Wolff)
Pre, Pro; key of D; 5:20; E
Paradis, Maria Theresia von (1759-1824)
"Sicilienne" (arr. Charles Macdonald)
Banks Music
Pre; key of E-flat; 3:50; E
Peeters, Flor (1903-1986)
"Aria, op. 51"
Heuwekemeijer 265
Pre; key of F; 3:00; E
[Written 1954. Peeters was a pupil of Dupr and Tournemire.]
"Festival Voluntary, op. 87"
An Album of Praise Oxford 31.173
Rec; key of G; 2:20; M
Pepping, Ernst (1901-1981)
"Freuet euch, ihr Christen alle"
Kleines Orgelbuch, Schott 3735
Pre; key of D; 1:30; M
[Manuals only. Contrapuntal, neo-Baroque style.]
Purcell, Henry (arr. Christopher Dearnley)
"Rondeau"
Incidental Music for Weddings and Other Occasions, Basil Ramsey.
Pre, Pro, Rec; key of C minor; 2:20; E
[From Abdelazer. Also known as the theme for Britten's "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra." Purcell was a pupil of Blow and organist at both Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal.]
Purcell, Henry (arr. Christopher Dearnley)
"Trumpet Tune in C"
Ceremonial Music for Organ, Book 2, Oxford 31.986
Pre, Pro, Rec; key of C; 2:45; E
[Contrasting mid-section in 3/4.]
"Trumpet Tune"
Incidental Music for Weddings and Other Occasions, Basil Ramsey
Pro, Rec; key of D; 1:05; E
Purcell, Henry (arr. Francis Jackson)
"Trumpet Tune and Almand"
Ceremonial Music for Organ, Book 1, Oxford 31.198 Pro; key of D (Trumpet Tune), key of G (Almand); 2:30; E [Tricky left-hand rhythms.]
Purcell, Henry (arr. Austin C. Lovelace)
"Trumpet Air"
Wedding Music for the Church Organist and Soloist, Abingdon Press APM-164
Pro; key of D; 1:30; E
Rawsthorne, Noel (1929- )
"Sortie"
The Cathedral Organist, 1975-1976
Cramer
Rec; key of B-flat; 1:45; M
Roman, Johann Helmich (1694-1758)
"Trumpet Finale" (arr. S. Drummond Wolff)
Suite from Drottning Holmes-Musique
Concordia 97-5106
Pro; key of D; 1:00; E
[The source of this suite is Wedding Music composed
for the marriage festivities of Crown Prince Fredrik
and Princess Urika at Drottningholm Castle, Sweden, in
1744. Influenced by Handel.]
"Trumpet Prelude" (arr. S. Drummond Wolff)
Suite from Drottning Holmes-Musique
Concordia 97-5106
Pro; key of D; 2:30; M
"Trumpet Tune"
Suite from Drottning Holmes-Musique
Concordia 97-5106
Pro; key of D; 1:00; E
Rutter, John (1945- )
"Toccata in Seven"
A Second Easy Album for Organ
Oxford 31.233
Rec; key of D; 1:50; M
[7/8 rhythm. Bright and rhythmic.]
Schroeder, Hermann (1904-1984)
"VI Poco Vivace"
Kleine Präludien und Intermezzi, opus 9
Schott 2221
Rec; key of C; 1:??; M
Selby, William (738-1798)
"Voluntary in A"
Old English Organ Music for Manuals, Book 5
Oxford 31.212
Pre; key of A; 3:30; E
[Selby came to America in 1771 and became organist of the Stone Chapel (later called King's Chapel) in Boston.]
Shaw, Martin (1875-1958)
"Processional"
Cramer St. M. 30
Pro, Rec; key of G; 3:40; M
[Based on "Lobe den Herren."]
Smith, Peter Melville (1943- )
"Flourish for the Tuba"
Two Flourishes for Organ
Banks Music
Pro; key of C; 1:00; M
Sowerby, Leo (1895-1968)
"Toccata"
Gray COS 1
Rec; key of C; 6:30; D
[Splendid, fluid piece. Sowerby was organist and choirmaster at St. James' Cathedral, Chicago.]
Stanford, Sir Charles Villiers (1852-1924)
"Epithalamium"
Six Occasional Preludes, Book 2
Stainer & Bell 3.4070.2
Pre; key of E-flat; 2:00; M
[9/8 time signature. A soft piece.]
Stanley, John (1713-1786)
"Trumpet Voluntary" (arr. David Willcocks)
Ceremonial Music for Organ, Book 1
Oxford 31.198
Pro, Rec; key of D; 2:30; E
[Cheerful, lighthearted piece. Stanley was totally
blind from the age of 2. Was appointed an organist of
the Chapel Royal.]
"Trumpet Voluntary, op. 5, no. 1"
Tallis to Wesley Vol. 27
Hinrichsen H1033
Pro; key of C; 1:55; E
[Manuals only.]
"Trumpet Voluntary, op. 5, no. 5"
Tallis to Wesley Vol. 27
Hinrichsen H1033
Pro; key of D; 3:00; E
[Manuals only.]
Telemann, Georg Philipp (1681-1767)
"Ayre" (arr. S. Drummond Wolff)
Trumpet Tunes and Ayres
Concordia 97-4844
Pre; key of E-flat; 1:00; E
"Ayre" (arr. S. Drummond Wolff)
Trumpet Tunes and Ayres
Concordia 97-4844
Pre; key of F; 1:30; E
"Trumpet Tune" (arr. S. Drummond Wolff)
Trumpet Tunes and Ayres
Concordia 97-4844
Pro; key of G; 2:00; E
"Trumpet Tune" (arr. S. Drummond Wolff)
Trumpet Tunes and Ayres
Concordia 97-4844
Pro; key of D; 1:30; E
"Trumpet Tune No. 7" (arr. S. Drummond Wolff)
Trumpet Tunes and Ayres
Concordia 97-4844
Pro; key of D; 1:30; E
Travers, John (1703-1758)
"Cornet Voluntary"
Old English Organ Music for Manuals, Book 1
Oxford 31.201
Pre; key of C; 1:20; E
[Travers was an organist of the Chapel Royal.]
"Trumpet Voluntary"
Old English Organ Music for Manuals, Book 5
Oxford 31.212
Pro; key of C; 2:15; E
Vaughan Williams, Ralph (1872-1958)
"Greensleeves" (arr. Stanley Roper; ed. Christopher
Morris)
The Oxford Book of Wedding Music
Oxford 0-19-375119-4
Pre; key of G minor; 3:25; EM
[Familiar tune to the Christmas hymn "What Child Is This?"]
"Rhosymedre"
Three Preludes on Welsh Hymn Tunes
Galaxy 1.5087.2
Pre; key of G; 4:30; E
[A beautiful flowing accompaniment enhances a
haunting tune. Vaughan Williams was a pupil of Parry
and Stanford.]
"A Wedding Tune for Ann"
A Vaughan Williams Organ Album
Oxford 31.187
Pre; key of E-flat; 1:30; E
[A soft piece. Written for the wedding of Miss Ann
Pain, 27 October 1943.]
Verdi, Giuseppe (1813-1901)
"Grand March" (arr. Christopher Morris)
The Oxford Book of Wedding Music
Oxford 0-19-375119-4
Rec; key of E-flat; 2:30; MD
[From Aida. Optional cut marked in score.]
Vierne, Louis (1870-1937)
"Carillon (No. 21)"
24 Piéces en Style Libre, Book 2
Durand
Rec; key of B-flat; 3:30; MD
[Pedal ostinato imitates bells. Vierne was the nearly blind organist of Notre Dame, Paris from 1900-1937. Pupil of Franck and Widor; teacher of Dupré.]
"Carillon De Westminster"
Piéces de Fantaisie, Troisiéme Suite, op. 54
Lemoine
Rec; key of D; 6:50; D
[Famous 4-note chime of Big Ben, London is the basis for this piéce.]
"Epithalame (No. 23)"
24 Piéces en Style Libre, Book 2
Durand
Pre; key of B; 3:50; M
[Very chromatic, soft piece.]
"Final"
Symphony No. 1, op. 14
Belwin Mills 4023 (Kalmus Organ Series)
Rec; key of D; 5:50; D
[French toccata with theme in the pedal.]
"Marche Episcopale"
Trois Improvisations
Durand
Rec; key of D; 3'00"; M
Walond, William (1725-1770)
"Cornet Voluntary"
Old English Organ Music for Manuals, Book 3
Oxford 31.203
Pre; key of G; 3:45; E
[Manuals only.]
Walther, Johann Gottfried (1684-1748)
"Lobe den Herren"
Organ Music for Services of Thanksgiving
Oxford 0 19 375857 7
Pre; key of G; 2:00; E
[Cantus firmus in the pedal.]
Wagner, Richard (1813-1883)
"Overture: Die Meistersinger" (arr. Sigfrid
Karg-Elert; adapt. Christopher Morris)
The Oxford Book of Wedding Music
Oxford 0-19-375119-4
Rec; key of C; 3:15 ; D
Walton, Sir William (1902-1983)
"Crown Imperial" (arr. Herbert Murrill)
The Oxford Book of Wedding Music
Oxford 0-19-375119-4
Pro, Rec; key of C; 9:10; D
[Can be cut. Similar to the Elgar marches. This piece was commissioned by the BBC for the Coronation of King George VI in 1937.]
Weaver, John (1937- )
"Toccata"
Boosey & Hawkes ONB 21
Rec; key of G; 3:45; D
Wesley, Samuel (1766-1837)
"Air and Gavotte"
Wedding Album
Novello 01.0123.00
Pre; key of F; 3:05; M
[Samuel Wesley was the son of Charles Wesley.]
"Hornpipe"
Old English Organ Music for Manuals, Book 2
Oxford 31.202
Pre; key of D; 1:00; E
[From an organ concerto.]
Wesley, Samuel Sebastian (1810-1876)
"Choral Song"
Wedding Music, Part I
Concordia 97-1369
Rec; key of C; 2:25; E
[Son of Samuel Wesley. Was organist at Gloucester Cathedral.]
Wetzler, Robert (1932- )
"Processional on 'Westminster Abbey'"
Pro; key of B-flat; 3:45; E
[Hymn may be sung during the processional. Organ
interludes between verse of the hymn.]
Widor, Charles-Marie (1844-1937)
"Adagio"
Symphony V, op. 42, no. 5
Belwin Mills 4033 (Kalmus Organ Series)
Pre; key of C; 5:00; M
[Tune in pedals at 4' pitch. Widor was organist at St. Sulpice in Paris for 64 years. Teacher of Dupr.]
"Marche Pontificale"
Symphony I, op. 13
Belwin Mills 4029 (Kalmus Organ Series)
Pro, Rec; key of C; 7:00; D
[Can be cut.]
"Toccata"
Symphony V, op. 42, no. 5
Belwin Mills 4033 (Kalmus Organ Series)
Rec; key of F; 5:00; D
[Virtuoso piece.]
Willan, Healey (1880-1968)
"Epithalame (Sortie)"
BMI Canada Ltd. BER 1424
Pro, Rec; key of C; 4:50; M
[Written for the wedding of Sir William and Lady McKie in Westminster Abbey, 5 April 1956.]
"Finale Jubilante"
Five Pieces
BMI Canada Ltd. BER 1425
Rec; key of A; 2:45; M
"Postlude in D"
An Album of Praise
Oxford 31.173
Rec; key of D; 2:30; M
Willcocks, David
"Processional on 'Westminster Abbey'"
Roger Dean (Lorenz) SM 399
Pro, Rec; key of G; 3:30; M
Wills, Arthur (1926- )
"Fanfare"
Fanfares and Processionals
Novello 01.0094.03
Pro; key of D; 1:20; M
[Wills was organist and Master of the Choristers at Ely Cathedral.]
Wood, Dale
"Brother James' Air"
Wood Works for Organ
Sacred Music Press KK 357
Pre; key of D; 2:00; M
[Setting of Psalm 23.]
"The King of Love My Shepherd Is"
Wood Works for Organ, Book 3
Sacred Music Press KK 500
Pre; key of D; 2:00; E
[Based on the hymn St. Columba. Setting of Psalm 23.]
"My Shepherd Will Supply My Need"
Wood Works for Organ, Book 2
Sacred Music Press KK 400
Pre; key of D-flat; 2:00; M
[Based on the hymn Resignation. Setting of Psalm 23.]
Wright, Searle (1918- )
"Prelude on 'Brother James's Air'"
The Oxford Book of Wedding Music
Oxford 0-19-375119-4
Pre; key of A; 2:20; EM
[Setting of the hymn tune for Psalm 23.]
Young, Gordon (1919- )
"Prelude in Classic Style"
Sacred Music Press (Lorenz) SM 39
Pre; key of C; 2:15; M
LIST OF WEDDING MUSIC FOR VOICE
Bach, Johann Sebastian (1685-1750)
"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (arr. Edward S. Breck)
Carl Fischer V2234
Medium Voice (organ or piano); key of G; 3:00"; E
[Second verse is especially good for weddings.]
Bernstein, Leonard (1918- )
"A Simple Song"
Amberson (G. Schirmer) 47178
High Voice (piano); key of C; 3:45; M
[From Mass.]
Bitgood, Roberta (1908- )
"The Greatest of These Is Love"
Gray GV 62
High/Medium Voice, Low Voice (key of F), SATB, Duet
for Soprano & Alto; 3:45; M
[Based on I Corinthians 13.]
Borop, Niles and Dwight Liles
"Only God Could Love You More"
Word Music
Duet (soprano and tenor); key of F; 3:00; E
Brahms, Johannes (1833-1897)
"Though I Speak"
Four Serious Songs, op. 121
Simrock Elite Edition 687
Baritone (piano); key of E-flat; 5:40; D
[Based on 1 Corinthians 13. Emotional scope is of symphonic breadth and power.]
Brown, Scott Wesley
"I Wish You Jesus"
EZ Play Music #80, Contemporary Gospel
Hal Leonard
Medium Voice (piano); key of G; 2:30; E
[Contemporary folk style.]
"Jesus I Love You" Laurel Press
Medium Voice; key of C; 2:30; E
"My Treasure (A Wedding Song)"
Great Love Ballads
Cherry Lane Music
High Voice (piano); key of E-flat; 3:40; E
[Contemporary folk style.]
"This is the Day (A Wedding Song)"
Sparrow Song (World Artist Music Co., Inc.)
High Voice (piano); key of E; 2:30; M
[Contemporary folk style. Tricky rhythms.]
Card, Michael and Scott Brasher
"Arise My Love"
Birdwing Music (Sparrow Corporation)
Medium Voice; key of G, ends in A; 3:00"; E
[From Song of Solomon. Flute interlude.]
Chapman, Steven Curtis
"I Will Be Here"
Sparrow Song/New Wings Music (Lorenz)
Medium Voice; key of E-flat; 3:00; E
"Love Will Be Our Home"
Sparrow Songs/New Wings Music (Lorenz)
Medium Voice; key of E, ends in G; 2:30; E
Cortez, Jaime
"Today We Celebrate"
OCP Publications
Medium Voice; key of E; 3:30; E
[Scriptural song, with 4 verses, appropriate at the lighting of the unity candle.]
Davis, Greg
"Parent's Prayer (Let Go of Two)"
Birdwing Music
Medium Voice; key of G-flat, ends in F; 3:30; E
Dungas, Olive
"Eternal Life"
Everything for the Church Soloist, Hope
High Voice (piano); key of D; 2:10; E
[Setting of the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.]
Dunlap, Fern Glasgow
"Wedding Prayer"
W