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The most usual instrument employed for religious services is the organ. It is a flexible instrument capable of playing a wide range of music, is well suited to a solo or accompaniment role, and in the hands of a experienced player is able to add interludes and extemporization to cover moments in your service, which may otherwise be marked by awkward silence! A large thundering organ can add great excitement to your service. Its soft sounds can add elegant touches of serenity.
Most churches, however, do permit other instruments in addition to (or sometimes in place of) the organ. Combinations such as the following work well:
Organ & Trumpet/s -provide spectacular effects for processionals.
Organ & Voice - excellent combination for vocal solos before the service, psalm singing and signing of the register, leading hymns.
Organ & Choir - a wide range of repertoire is written for this combination, suitable for singing the "liturgical" service parts and leading hymns. Choirs can also sing a cappella (unaccompanied harmony) ranging from gregorian chants, renaissance polyphony through to gospel styles. The size of the choral forces required will usually depend on the size of the building and the number of guests attending. A choir of 8 - 16 singers is usually ideal.
Other instruments may include:
String Quartets
Brass quartets and quintets (e.g. trumpets, horns and trombones).Flutes, recorders, clarinets and clarinets work well with piano or keyboard.
Harps - can add a touch of "fantasy", are more tranquil and reflective. Particularly suitable before the service or at the signing of the register.
Organists
Many larger churches and places of worship will have a resident organist.
Unfortunately however, not all church organists make the grade. If you want the services of a top grade organist you may need to search around, for example an organist from a larger parish or cathedral church, or churches which have a reputation for high quality music.
Ask the organist for a list of their repertoire, a CV and/or recordings of their performances. Ask them if they can play the Widor (pronounced 'Veedor') '"Toccata" or Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D minor". If they don't know what you are talking about, then look further afield! This is generally enough to establish if they can do an expert job.
If you need to engage an organist from outside the church where your wedding will be held, you may need to pay the incumbent's fee. This may require some negotiation with the church authorities, but it may be worth it in order to guarantee that you get the quality and organist you want!
Most organists will be happy to meet with you to discuss your choices or provide a CD of their repertoire. It is advisable to be guided by the organist as to which music selections will work well on the particular instrument to be played, especially in the case of smaller instruments. It is also a good idea to enquire of the organist how regularly the instrument is tuned. Unfortunately, not all churches have their instruments tuned regularly enough. If you are paying a large fee for the use of the church, it is reasonable to expect that the instrument is up to standard, just as you would expect the paint is not falling off the walls, or the carpets are threadbare!
Singers, Cantors & Choirs
Not all professional singers are familiar with service music for your wedding.
If you choose to have a nuptial mass or parts of your service such as a psalm or Alleluia sung, you should probably choose to engage a cantor (a singer trained in liturgical music) or choir familiar with church music. Once again, not all church choirs can sing a wide range of music or perform to the standard of your expectations. A good liturgical choir, such as maintained by some of the large parish churches and cathedral can elevate your service to heavenly heights, as well as add a striking visual dimension with their colourful robes. Many of these choirs can be engaged for weddings. Ask your celebrant if they have any contacts, or contact your local chapels,churches or cathedrals for more information.
Visit the pages on Understanding the structure of your service and the musical options that it allows for, before determining what musicians you think you will want.
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