Are You New to Performing At Weddings?

Here Are Some Wedding Favorites to Get You Started

Do what you do best, and you’ll love what you do. The music you
play that resonates within you carries your own fingerprints.
Even if other musicians can play the same songs as you do, what
you bring to these songs is uniquely your own.

To get you started, this is a list of some wedding music
standards that you might want to consider including in your
repertoire:

Wedding Ceremony Music—The Common Requests

The Top Ten Classical Music Requests (in order by composer):

1. “Air in G” from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D (J.S. Bach)

2. “Ode to Joy” from Symphony No. 9(Beethoven)

3. “Trumpet Voluntary” or “Prince of Denmark’s March” (J.
Clarke)

4. “Clair de Lune” (C. Debussy)

5. “Hornpipe” from Water Music Suite (G.F. Handel)

6. “Wedding March” from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (F.
Mendelssohn)

7. “Canon in D” (J. Pachelbel)

9. “Allegro From Spring”, first movement theme from The Four
Seasons (A. Vivaldi)

10. “Bridal March” from the opera Lohengrin or “Here Comes the
Bride” (R. Wagner)

Wedding Ceremony Music Alternatives (Because Not Every Bride
Wants to Enter to “Here Comes the Bride”):

Favorite choices for Christian weddings:

1. “Amazing Grace” (American Folk Melody)

2. “Ave Maria” (F. Schubert)

3. “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (J. S. Bach)

4. “The Lord’s Prayer” (A.H. Malotte)

5. “Simple Gifts” (Elder Joseph)

Favorite choices for Jewish weddings:

1. “Dodi Li” (N. Chen)

2. “Erev Ba” (O. Avissar & A. Levanon)

3. “Siman Tov” (traditional Israeli song)

4. “Sunrise Sunset” from the musical “Fiddler on the Roof”

Favorite choices for Celtic weddings:

1. “Mairi’s Wedding”

2. “Star of the County Down”

3. “When Irish Eyes are Smiling”

4. “Skye Boat Song”

5. “My Wild Irish Rose”

This is a short excerpt from my new book, “The Musician’s Guide
to Brides: How to Make Money Playing Weddings” published
by Hal Leonard Books. I’m sure you can think of more tunes to
add to these lists. Add them in your comments below and help out
other musicians to get a good start playing at weddings. Next
time in this blog, we’ll tackle timeless reception favorites.

View Anne’s new book--see some individual sample pages.



The book is available wherever Hal Leonard Books are sold: music and bookstores, and through online retailers (including barnesandnoble.com, sheetmusicplus.com , and amazon.com.
I may sound like I'm shamelessly promoting it here, but I really would like to have some constructive feedback about it. I fully intend to write future editions, so your feedback would be of great help to me. Please feel free to respond with your kind constructive comments, and certainly, respond with wedding favorites that you would like to add to the above lists.


My best to you,
Anne Roos
Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos

Valuable Tips on How to Select a Musician-Part 2

Here is a continuation of the tips from last week posting.

1. Give the musicians your musical requests.
If you have a particular selection or selections you want
included be sure to discuss this in advance with the musicians so
they have time to get the music and rehearse.

2. Discuss your expectations.
Musicians should dress and present themselves according to the
theme of your event. Be very clear on what duties you expect of
the musician, such as when to play a certain selection. Be as
detailed as possible. Don't leave anything to chance.

3. Amplification is important.
Ask if the musicians are providing their own sound system and be
sure it is electrically compatible with the venue, or is battery
powered.

4. Look for a harmonious working relationship.
If the musician is not responsive to your needs during
consultation, look elsewhere.Give the musicians your musical requests.

If you have a particular selection or selections you want
included be sure to discuss this in advance with the musicians so
they have time to get the music and rehearse.

5. Discuss your expectations.
Musicians should dress and present themselves according to the
theme of your event. Be very clear on what duties you expect of
the musician, such as when to play a certain selection. Be as
detailed as possible. Don't leave anything to chance.

6. Amplification is important.
Ask if the musicians are providing their own sound system and be
sure it is electrically compatible with the venue, or is battery
powered.

7. Look for a harmonious working relationship.
If the musician is not responsive to your needs during
consultation, look elsewhere.

I hope you enjoyed these few tips so far as there are more to come. For more information come see me at
Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos

Valuable Tips on How to Select a Musician

Whether hiring a musician for a wedding ceremony, reception, business or social event, it is wise to start your search as soon as your date is set. Professional musicians, orchestras, bands and soloists may be booked a year in advance. Here are some guidelines to use when making a decision about the type of music you want:

1. Choose the type of musicians & instruments
   Take into consideration the size of the venue and the acoustics. The music should be a compliment to the event, not too overpowering
   
   
2. Get references
   Chances are that if other people have been pleased with the musician you will be too. Don't be afraid to ask for and check references of the performer you are considering.

3. Audition whenever possible
   This will give you an overall feel for the musicians’ style of music and "stage" presence. Auditions can be in person, over the phone, by tape or video. Audio CDs let you sample the style and expertise of the musician. Video and DVDs additionally allows you to see the appearance of the performer. Make sure you like the quality of the music and that it is appropriate for the event.
   
   I hope you enjoyed these few tips so far as there are more to come. For more information come see me at http://www.celticharpmusic.com/UserPages/Home.aspx