Wedding Music
Suggestions and
Questions
Q:
How will The Riverside Ensemble fit into a Wedding celebration?
A:
The sound of a Live Classical Music is smooth, romantic and refined.
Whether your event is an intimate gathering or is a lavish formal affair, music
can be used to create an elegant atmosphere throughout your special day and will
make an impression that will last long after the Wedding celebration is over.
Q: What is the difference between the
Duo, the Trio, and the Quartet?
A:
This is a question that gets asked a lot. The best way to explain this
is to ask yourself to think of listening to a song being sung. If just one
person sings, that person sings the melody. This is what the first Violin in our
group does (The melody). At ball games, someone usually sings The Star-Spangled
Banner alone with no accompaniment. That is what melody sounds like by itself.
It can be very nice and effective, but it always sounds somehow lonely.
The next important function to add to the melody is the bass line like what the
Cello does in our group. The bass line provides the structure to the melody in
much the same way a foundation gives structure to a building. If you are hiring
a Duo, you will have melody in the upper instrument and bass line in the lower
instrument. Larger groups like the Trio and the Quartet simply add what is known
as counter-melody which adds more thickness to the mix. The second Violin plays
a similar melody to the first Violin, but on a slightly lower pitch. The Viola
completes the mixture and fills in all the chords.
A:
Another factor is the size of the room and the size of the party.
Generally speaking the Duo is most effective in a setting where the party
is confined to a small room and you don’t have a lot of guests.
A Quartet can be overwhelming in this environment.
The Trio is usually the safest group to choose.
We can easily adapt to a small setting or to a bigger one.
We can play almost as loud and full as the Quartet. For
a party of seventy-five or more you probably want to consider a Quartet.
It guarantees that every guest at any part of the room will be able to
adequately hear us.
·
You
should consider adding a Vocalist to the Ceremony.
If the Church already has a Singer or Cantor, it may be possible to work
with him instead of hiring another Musician.
It is most common to have a Singer perform a piece during the Ceremony.
It can be used as an Interlude or during the Candle Lighting, Communion,
or any other part of the Service.
This also is an opportunity for us to sing and play your favorite
song.
Q:
In which places during the Ceremony do I need Music?
A:
As your guests
gather, Prelude Music can be uplifting or reflective.
The Processional Music should be an instrumental piece with a good tempo
for the attendants to walk to. Once the attendants are in place, the music for
the Bridal Party should begin. The Bridal Party and of course the Bride have
their own Processional Music. This music for the Bride and the Groom should
command the attention of the guests. During the Ceremony, music is often played
at the Lighting of the Unity Candle, during a Rose Presentation, Communion, or
simply as a Solo. Some Brides and Grooms (especially with certain Church
Ceremonies) chose to have many songs or pieces selections throughout the
Ceremony. You may only want one or two selections throughout your Ceremony.
Joyful Recessional Music ends the Ceremony and sends the newly married
couple out triumphantly. Postlude Music gives your guests something to listen to
as they exit. Remember, we can
customize your Wedding to meet your individual style.
The Officiator at your service may offer suggestions for appropriate
places for music.
·
You should check first with
your Church or Ceremony location to see if they have any restrictions before
selecting the music for your Ceremony. Some Churches require that you use their
Organist, Musicians and Singers, others do not. In addition, some Churches will
not allow certain songs and types of music.
·
If you would like, we can
split the Ceremony with the Church Organist or Cantor.
For Example, you may choose to have The Riverside Ensemble play the
Prelude Music, Processional and Ceremonial Music and reserve the Recessional for
the Church Organist, and then we can finish up with Postlude Music.
Q: How do I select
music...especially if I don't know much about music?
A:
No matter how much or how little you know, your taste is vital in
deciding what music you want played at every point in your Wedding celebration.
First, think about the mood and tone you want to set, joyous, uplifting, quiet,
reflective, or a little of each as the occasion unfolds. Then listen to
recordings of suggested Wedding Music. Pay
special attention to the music at the next Wedding you go to.
Call the group’s contractor and set up a free consultation meeting.
He can work directly with you to select music from the repertoire that
has special meaning for you and that will enhance the occasion. Our Repertoire
is extensive and varies from the early Baroque to Contemporary Love Songs, and
everything in between.
·
Some Brides and Grooms
(especially with certain Church Ceremonies) chose to have many songs or pieces
throughout the ceremony. You may only want one or two selections throughout your
Ceremony. Remember we can customize your Wedding to meet your individual style.
·
You should not be concerned
with the timing of these pieces. We
are capable of lengthening or shortening a piece to fit the necessary function
of the Wedding.
It May Interest You To Know...
The traditional Wedding Processional "Here Comes The Bride" is
from the opera Lohengrin by Richard Wagner. In the opera the
relationship between Elsa and Lohengrin was doomed because of a broken promise.
Tradition dictates that it is acceptable to use "Here Comes The
Bride," however, you may wish to consider the numerous alternative
Processional selections.
·
Don’t Forget we offer
Special Requests Services. We will
be happy to perform a special song or piece, regardless of its genre providing
we are given enough time to find and arrange the music.
·
Please look over these
Suggestions and then refer to the Complete Repertoire List to check if these
arrangements are available for the group you have chosen.
Q: Do I need Classical
Music for my Cocktail Hour or Dinner?
A:
Following the Ceremony, the mood can quickly change for the Reception
with festive, light, romantic music as people have their first refreshments.
Later, during a meal, music is proper with every menu. Quieter musical
selections are nice as people eat and converse at Dinner. Your choices are
endless.
Q: Do I need to Select
Music for my Cocktail Hour or Dinner?
A:
Generally speaking no you
don’t. We have enough experience
to feel out the moment and decide what the audience would like to hear.
We can easily switch from pure Classical, to Jazz, to Broadway, to Rags, or
Waltzes. We also try to honor
all requests that are made at the event. If
you would like to choose some or all of the music for the Cocktail Hour or
Dinner, feel free to do so and we will be happy to play your selections.
Don’t forget we also offer Special Requests Services.
We will be happy to perform a special song or piece, regardless of its
genre, providing we are given enough time to find and arrange the music.
Q: Where does the
Ensemble Sit?
A:
For Weddings we can sit
wherever you would like us to sit as long as we have a view of the isle so that
we can see when to change the music for the Processional.
If this is not possible, you should ask an Usher or Church Music Director
to assist us. We usually sit in the
loft overlooking the congregation, or the back of the Church where the
Processional begins. We also can
sit in the front right hand side of the congregation.
A:
For Cocktail
Hours and Dinners we usually sit near the bar, or buffet table. It is ideal to be centrally located so your whole party can
hear us, not just one end of the hall.
Q: What does the Ensemble
Wear?
A:
Your event is special, and the Ensemble will dress for the occasion. The
men will wear tuxedos or if you prefer we can wear dark suits and the women will
be in dressy clothes, usually all black or black and white.
Q: What does the Ensemble
need on the day of the Wedding?
A:
The Ensemble needs chairs with flat seats and without arms, shade if we
are playing outdoors and adequate lighting if we are playing indoors.
If
we are playing a Wedding Ceremony and have to immediately play a Cocktail Hour
and/or Dinner, please arrange to have another set of chairs at all locations.
This provides for a speedy transition from each location which
enables us to set up faster and be ready to provide you with more music.
We don’t use microphones.
If there isn’t adequate lightening, we are also equipped with music
stand lights, but please make sure
that there is a nearby electric outlet for our lighting.
We don’t have a lot of equipment, just instrument cases, music
bags, stands and lights. If our
location is in the public’s eye, we need a place to hide our belongings. Commonly we use coat checks, closets, or under buffet tables.
Please find out in advance where the best spot for us is.
If you are confused about any part of this tedious process, don’t
worry we are trained professionals. Feel
free to contact us and we will be happy to assist you in any way possible.
Processional
Ceremony
Recessional
1.
Arioso
Bach
2.
Bridal March (from Lohengrin, “Here Comes The Bride”)
Wagner
3.
Canon Pachelbel
4.
Rigaudon (Water Music Suite III in G Majot No. 17)
Handel
5.
Bourree (Water Music Suite I in F Major No. 8)
Handel
6.
Hornpipe (Water Music Suite II in D Major No. 12)
Handel
7.
Air (Water Music Suite I in F Major No. 6)
Handel
8.
Processional (The Royal Firework’s Music)
Handel
9.
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Handel
10.
Minuet (The Royal Firework’s Music)
Handel
11.
Minuet In G
J.S. Bach
12.
Ode to Joy
Beethoven
13.
March (Marriage of Fiagro)
Mozart
14.
Trumpet Voluntary (Prince of Denmark March)
J. Clarke
15.
Trumpet Tune
Purcell
16.
La Rejoissance
G.F. Handel
17.
Elvira Madigan Theme
Mozart
18.
Prelude to Te Deum
Charpentier
19.
Romance
Mozart
20.
Serenade
F.J. Haydn
21.
Spring (The Four Seasons 1st movement)
A. Vivaldi
22.
Spring (The Four Seasons 3rd movement)
A. Vivaldi
23.
Autumn (The Four Seasons 1st movement)
A. Vivaldi
24.
Autumn (The Four Seasons 3rd movement)
A. Vivaldi
25.
Trumpet Voluntary
Stanley
26.
Grand March (from Aida)
Verdi
27.
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Bach
28.
Air on the G string
Bach
29.
Erev Ba
Traditional Jewish
30.
Erev Shel Shoshanim Traditional Jewish
31.
Od Yishama I & II
Traditional Jewish
32.
Yasis Alayich Traditional Jewish
33.
Ose Shalom
Traditional Jewish
34.
Vay’hi Bishurun Melech
Traditional Jewish
35.
Asher Bara Traditional Jewish
36.
Y’varech’cha Traditional Jewish
37.
Kozatske
Traditional Jewish
38.
Sunset, Sunrise (from the Fiddler on the Roof)
Bock
1. Ave Maria
Schubert
2.
My Heart Ever Faithful
Bach
3.
Air in G
Bach
4.
Largo (Xerxes)
G.F. Handel
5.
Winter (The Four Seasons 2nd movement)
A.
Vivaldi
6.
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Bach
7.
Greensleeves Traditional
8.
Simple Gifts Traditional
9.
Amazing Grace
Traditional
10.
Minuet
Boccherini
11.
Romanze Mozart
12.
Adagio (Flute Quartet in D Major. K. 285)
Mozart
13.
Meditation (from Thais)
Massenet
14.
Air: Sheep May Safely Graze
Bach
15.
Ave Maria
Bach-Gounod
16.
Speak Softly, Love
Rota
17.
All I Ask of You
Webber
18.
Shulamite Remnant (Song of Solomon)
Traditional Jewish
19.
Y’did Nefesh
Traditional Jewish
20.
Jerusalem of Gold
Traditional Jewish
21.
Chorshat Ha’ekaliptus
Traditional Jewish
22.
Hitragut
Traditional Jewish
23.
Erev Shel Shoshanim
Traditional Jewish
24.
Erez Ba
Traditional Jewish
25.
Hana’ava Babanot
Traditional Jewish
26.
K’var Achare Chatzot
Traditional Jewish
27.
Al Kol Ele
Traditional
Jewish
27.
El Ginat Egoz
Traditional Jewish
28.
Dodi Li I & II
Traditional Jewish
1.
Bridal March
Mendelssohn
2.
Hallelujah Chorus (Messiah)
Handel
3.
Allegro (A Little Night Music 1st movement)
Mozart
4.
Rondo, (A Little Night Music 4th movement)
Mozart
5. Brandenburg (No. 3, 1st movement) Bach
6.
Brandenburg (No. 3, 3rd movement)
Bach
7.
Gigue (Orchestra Suite No. 3)
Bach
8.
Gavotte (4th Lute Suite)
Bach
9.
Allegro (Flute Quartet D Major. K. 285)
Mozart
10.
Gigue (French Suite No. 5 in G Major)
Bach
11.
Hornpipe (Water Music)
Handel
12.
La Rejouissance (The Royal Firework’s Music)
Handel
13.
Arioso (from Cantata No. 156)
Bach
14.
Menuet (Water Music)
Handel
15.
Ode To Joy Beethoven
16.
Trumpet Voluntary
Stanley
17.
Grand March (from Aida)
Verdi
18.
Spring (The Four Seasons 1st movement)
A. Vivaldi
19.
Spring (The Four Seasons 3rd movement)
A.
Vivaldi
20.
Autumn (The Four Seasons 1st movement)
A.
Vivaldi
21.
Rigaudon (Water Music Suite III in G Major No. 17)
Handel
22.
Bourree (Water Music Suite I in F Major No. 8)
Handel
23.
Hornpipe (Water Music Suite II in D Major No. 12)
Handel
24.
Air (Water Music Suite I in F Major No. 6)
Handel
25.
Processional (The Royal Fireworks Music)
Handel
26.
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Handel
27.
Minuet (The Royal Firework’s Music)
Handel
28.
Trumpet Voluntary (Prince of Denmark March)
Clarke
29.
Trumpet Tune
Purcell
30.
La Rejoissance
Handel
31.
Siman Tov
Traditional
Jewish
32.
Chosn Kale Mazel Tov
Traditional Jewish
33.
Hava Nagila
Traditional Jewish
34.
Shmelkie’s Nigun
Traditional Jewish
35.
Ketsad M’rakdin
Traditional Jewish
36.
Am Yisrael Chai
Traditional Jewish
37.
Dayenu
Traditional Jewish
38.
Uva’u Ha’ovdim
Traditional Jewish
39.
Rad Halaila
Traditional Jewish
40.
David Melech Yisrael
Traditional Jewish
41.
V’haer Enu
Traditional Jewish
42.
Ele Chamda Libi
Traditional Jewish
43.
Sisu Et Y’rushalayim
Traditional Jewish
44.
Tzena Tzena
Traditional Jewish
45.
Harachaman
Traditional Jewish
46.
Zemer Atik
Traditional Jewish
47.
Hine Ma Tov
Traditional Jewish
48.
Tzadik Katamar
Traditional Jewish
49.
Mayim, Mayim
Traditional Jewish
50.
Shibolet Basade
Traditional Jewish
51.
Harmonika
Traditional Jewish
52.
Haro’a Haktana
Traditional Jewish
53.
Hora Mamtera
Traditional Jewish
54.
Od Lo Ahavti Dai
Traditional Jewish
55.
Mazinka
Traditional Jewish
56.
Ot Azoy
Traditional Jewish
57.
M’chutenista Meine
Traditional Jewish
58.
Artsa Alinu
Traditional Jewish
59.
Bashana Haba’a
Traditional Jewish