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Gathering Rites
1a. Prelude – Instrumental Selections
Prelude music will usually start 10-15 minutes before the wedding liturgy begins. Depending on the instrumentation you choose for your wedding (i.e., piano, strings, flute, harp, trumpet, etc.), this part of the liturgy can be creatively planned by the music ministers present by intertwining classical and contemporary instrumental pieces with vocal pieces suggested in the next section. Below are some specific instrumental selections that would be appropriate. If you would like to choose specific pieces, I encourage you to “YouTube” these titles to hear them individually.
Depending on which musicians you hire for your wedding, some of these selections may work better than others. Most of the time, couples prefer to have the musicians present select the instrumental pieces that would be most appropriate. In that case, just indicate “Musician’s Choice” on your final planning form.
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Title
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Composer
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*Instrumentation Required
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Air
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Bach
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‘Air’ from Water Music
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Handel
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Arioso
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Bach
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Brandenburg Concerto #2
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Bach
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string quartet
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Brandenburg Concerto #3
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Bach
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string quartet
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Celebrated Minuet
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Boccherini
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Cinema Paradiso
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Morricone
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Concerto for Trumpet in D
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Telemann
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trumpet
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Fanny Power (trad. Irish)
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O’Carolan
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Gavotte I & II
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Bach
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Intermezzo Sinfonico
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Mascagni
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Largo from ‘Xerxes’
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Handel
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London Trio
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Haydn
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flute (or violin), violin, cello
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Meditation from ‘Thais’
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Massenet
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violin or flute
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Oboe Concerto
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Albinoni
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oboe
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Oboe Quartet
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Bach
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oboe
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Pastorale
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Vivaldi
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violin (or flute/oboe), cello
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Planxty Irwin (Trad. Irish)
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O’Carolan
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Serenade
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Haydn
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Sicilienne
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Faure
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flute
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Sonata Prima
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Viviani
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trumpet
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‘Winter’ from The Four Seasons
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Vivaldi
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violin
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Traditional Irish Music
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various
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Requires the Irish trio
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* These pieces require certain instrumentation. These particular instruments are noted.
All others can be performed with a variety of combinations of instruments, including just solo piano.
1b. Prelude and Seating of Mothers or Parents - Vocal Solo Selections
Below are appropriate vocal selections that can be intertwined with instrumental selections either chosen from the list in the prior section or left to the musicians to decide. Some of these selections are also appropriate for different parts of your wedding ceremony where indicated (i.e. Communion, Preparation of Gifts, etc.). The reverse is also true: almost any song appropriate for any other part of the wedding can be used quite appropriately as a prelude, thus giving couples the opportunity to include more pieces of music than there might be places in the liturgy in which to situate them. Often a final prelude piece is chosen especially for the seating of the couple’s parents or close family.
| Title |
Composer |
Comments |
| Be Thou My Vision
Catherine O'Connell, cantor
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Cooney, Rory |
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| Con Te Partiró
Aimee Scozzafave, cantor
Michael Boschert, cantor
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Sartori, Francesco |
Appropriate for prelude on |
| I Have Loved You
Cassie Santiago and Michael Boschert, Cantors
Megan Buckley, Cantor
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Joncas, Michael |
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| Love Is The Boat (Trad. Irish)
Olivia Masini, cantor
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Callanan (Trad. Irish) |
Alternate Use:
Prep of Gifts |
| The Prayer
Kevin Domer and Aimee Scozzafave, cantors
Laura Higgins and William Dwyer, cantors
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Sager/Foster |
Recommended as a duet but not required |
| Wherever You Go
Nicole Tuma and William Dwyer, cantors
Aimee Scozzafave, cantor
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Haas, David |
Alternate Use:
Unity Candle |
| You Raise Me Up
Michael Boschert, cantor
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Lovland/Graham |
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1c. Processional Music (for Bridal Party and Bride)
Processional music expresses the festivity and the custom at weddings has been to use only instrumental music at this time. You may want to choose only one piece for the entire procession, or (most commonly) you may want to choose one for the procession of the wedding party and one for the procession of the bride.
| Title |
Composer |
Comments |
| Bridal Chorus
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Wagner |
from Act III of Wagner's Lohengrin |
| Canon in D
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Pachelbel |
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| Cantata 140: Wachet Auf
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Bach |
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| Gabriel's Oboe
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Morricone |
Ideal for use with another instrument (e.g. violin, oboe)
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| Planxty Hewlett (Trad. Irish)
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O'Carolan |
for use when Irish Instrumental Trio is selected
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| Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
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Bach |
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| La Grace
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Telemann |
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| Te Deum
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Charpentier |
Ideal for use with trumpet |
| Trumpet Tune
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Purcell |
Ideal for use with trumpet |
| Trumpet Voluntary
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Clarke |
Ideal for use with trumpet |
1d. Gathering Song (Optional)
Just as we do at a regular Sunday mass, you may choose to sing a Gathering Song. This is a beautiful way to unite the hearts and voices of your friends and family gathered to celebrate this important day. It is an optional choice in your wedding ceremony and tends to work best with a well-known tune and a singing assembly! In addition to these, there are other appropriate songs of praise, gathering, or thanksgiving that could be used.
| Title |
Composer |
Comments |
| God in the Planning
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SLANE (Trad. Irish) |
Sung to the familiar Slane tune:
"God, in the planning and purpose of life,
hallowed the union of husband and wife:
this we embody where love is displayed,
rings are presented and promises made."
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| Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
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HYMN OF JOY (Beethoven) |
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Liturgy of the Word
The responsorial psalm and gospel acclamations are the essential musical elements of the liturgy of the word; both are fundamental moments for assembly song, enabling the congregation to participate in the proclamation of the word. With the leadership of a cantor and with music suited to this event and congregation, even the most diverse assembly will be able to join in song. Remember that psalms lend themselves well to several moments of the liturgy (i.e. they can also be sung during prelude or communion).
2a. Responsorial Psalms
| Title |
Composer |
Comments |
| Ps. 33: Blessed Are We
Anne Nowicki, cantor
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Cotter, Jeanne |
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| Ps. 34: Every Morning In Your Eyes
Aimee Scozzafave and Megan Buckley, cantors
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Cooney, Rory |
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| Ps. 96: Sing a Song To The Lord's Holy Name
Michael Boschert, cantor
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Lawton, Liam |
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| Ps. 103: The Lord Is Kind and Merciful
Quartet: Olivia, Cassie, William, and Michael
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Cotter, Jeanne |
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| Ps. 118: This Is The Day
William Dwyer, cantor
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Joncas, Michael |
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| Ps. 128: Blest Are Those Who Love You
Danielle Larson, cantor
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Haugen, Marty |
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| Ps. 128: Blest Are You
Nicole Tuma, cantor
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Lawton, Liam |
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| Canticle of Mary: Holy Is Your Name
Catherine O'Connell, cantor
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Irish Trad, arr. Hass, David |
Alternate Use:
Seating of Parents, Prayer to the Blessed Mother |
2b. Gospel Acclamations
Keep in mind that the Gospel Acclamations during the season of Lent do not use “Alleluia”as part of the text.
We’ll be happy to offer some suggestions for Lent.
| Title |
Composer |
Comments |
| Alleluia! Give the Glory
Danielle Larson, cantor
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Hurd, Bob |
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| Celtic Alleluia
Anne Nowicki, cantor
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O'Carroll/Walker |
This is the most commonly used at Sunday liturgies and will be familiar to many |
| Pilgrim Alleluia
Aimee Scozzafave, cantor
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Lawton, Liam |
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Celebration of Marriage
3a. Unity Candle (Optional)
A recent popular addition to the marriage rite has been the lighting of a “unity candle” from two smaller candles, which are then extinguished. If the unity candle is used, the brevity of this ritual suggests that it may be best accompanied by instrumental music. If a vocal selection is desired, care should be taken to make sure it is not too long to balance well with this fairly brief ritual; the selections indicated below can all be appropriate for this short rite. A selection of "Musician's Choice" is also very appropriate here since the moment is so short.
| Title |
Composer |
Comments |
| Simple Gifts
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Trad. Shaker Tune |
Instrumental Only |
| Watermark
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Enya |
Instrumental Only |
| Love Endures
Nicole Tuma, cantor
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Moore, James |
Vocal or Instrumental |
| So Are You To Me
Danielle Larson, cantor
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Adams, Peter Bradley |
Vocal or Instrumental |
| When Love Is Found
Catherine O'Connell, cantor
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Trad. arr. Haas, Cotter |
Vocal or Instrumental |
| Your Love, O Lord
Laura Higgins and Michael Boschert, cantors
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Trad. arr. Eicker |
To the tune of Danny Boy |
| My Song Will Be For You Forever
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Haas, David |
Alternate use from earlier section |
| Wherever You Go |
Haas, David |
Alternate use from earlier section |
Liturgy of the Eucharist
** For those celebrating the rite of marriage OUTSIDE of Mass (no Communion), skip to “Concluding Rites.”
4a. Preparation of the Gifts
Music in Catholic Worship has this to say of the preparation of the gifts and altar: “The purpose of the rite is to prepare the bread and wine for the Eucharist. It consists very simply of bringing the gifts to the altar” (#46). Since this is a brief ritual action, if any instrumental music or song is used here, it should be brief and end when the preparation is over.
| Title |
Composer |
Comments |
| Musician Choice
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TBD |
This would be instrumental only |
| Covenant Hymn
Olivia Masini, cantor
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Daigle, Gary |
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| My Song Will Be For You Forever
Megan Buckley, cantor
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Haas, David |
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| The Clouds' Veil
Quartet: Nicole, Laura, William, and Michael
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Lawton, Liam |
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| Bridal Prayer
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Copeland, Roger |
Alternate use from other section |
| Love Endures
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Moore, James |
Alternate use from other section |
| Love Is The Boat |
Trad. Irish, arr. Callanan |
Alternate use from other section |
4b. Mass Parts (Holy, Memorial Acclamation, Amen, Lamb of God)
The acclamations of the Eucharistic prayer – Holy, Memorial Acclamation, and Amen – are the assembly’s primary way of participating in this great prayer of thanksgiving. The responses should be those that allow full participation of the community present. Thus, mass parts sung primarily at Sunday celebrations should be used. The Mass of Creation (by Marty Haugen) is arguably the most recognized mass setting, not only at Old St. Patrick’s, but also across the country. Chances are that your guests will be familiar with this setting.
4c. Greeting of Peace
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal describes the sign of peace in this way: “Before they share in the same bread, the people express their love for one another and beg for peace and unity in the Church and with all humankind” (#56b). Instrumental music would best accompany the peace greeting – something that can be cut or adjusted to fit this ritual action. The musicians will make this selection, unless something specific is requested.
4d. Communion
Common singing during the communion procession best supports and models this action of unity. A responsorial-style song, with a memorable refrain, facilitates the singing since it does not require people to carry a hymnal or worship aid with them in the procession. Alternatively, a vocal solo selection may be used in this moment.
| Title |
Composer |
Comments |
| Panis Angelicus
Laura Higgins, cantor
Michael Boschert, cantor
William Dwyer, cantor
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Franck, César |
Vocal solo |
| How Beautiful
Olivia Masini, cantor
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Paris, Twila |
Vocal solo
Alternate Use:
Preparation of Gifts, Prelude |
| Blest Are They
Annie Nowicki and Kevin Domer, cantors
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Haas, David |
Assembly song |
| I Myself Am The Bread Of Life
Kevin Domer, Cantor
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Cooney, Rory |
Assembly song |
| Take and Eat
Laura Higgins, cantor
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Haugen, Marty |
Assembly song |
| Taste and See
Quartet: Nicole, Megan, Kevin, and Michael
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Moore, James |
Assembly song |
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| Be Thou My Vision |
Cooney, Rory |
Alternate use from other section |
| Covenant Hymn |
Daigle, Gary |
Alternate use from other section |
| I Will Be With You |
Moore, James |
Alternate use from other section |
| My Song Will Be For You Forever |
Haas, David |
Alternate use from other section |
| The Clouds' Veil |
Lawton, Liam |
Alternate use from other section |
| The Prayer |
Sager/Foster |
Alternate use from other section |
| When Love Is Found |
O WALY WALY |
Alternate use from other section |
Concluding Rites
5a. Prayer to the Blessed Mother (Optional)
Following communion, there is an option to offer a prayer in front of the Blessed Mother. This can be done alone, though often the bride is accompanied by her mother, her new husband, or a friend. If you have selected this to be part of your ceremony, a Marian piece of music (most typically a setting of the Ave Maria) is used during this time.
| Title | Composer | Comments | | Ave Maria
Catherine O'Connell, cantor
| Schubert, Franz | This common version can be done accompanied with piano or a cappella (just voice), as in the recording sample. | | Ave Maria
Danielle Larson, Cantor
Aimee Scozzafave, cantor
| Bach, J.S. / Gounod, Charles
| | | Ave Maria
Nicole Tuma and Cassie Santiago, cantors
| Kantor, Dan | This contemporary setting uses both the English and Latin text and is suitable for duets (two cantors) or solo | | Holy Is Your Name
| Haas, David | Alternate use from other section |
5b. Recessional and Postlude Music
You may optionally choose two here – a recessional for the bridal party and a postlude for the exiting of your guests.
One choice would also be appropriate, where the musicians can extend the piece of music to cover the amount of time needed.
| Title |
Composer |
Comments |
| Air de Trompette
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Telemann |
Ideal for use with trumpet |
| 'Hornpipe' from Water Music
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Handel |
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| La Rejouissance
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Handel |
"The Rejoicing" |
| Ode To Joy
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Beethoven |
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| Rondeau
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Mouret |
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| 'Spring' from The Four Seasons'
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Vivaldi |
A string quartet is most suitable for this |
| Wedding March
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Mendelssohn |
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| Canticle of the Turning
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Cooney, Rory |
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| Concerto (Trad. Irish)
|
O'Carolan |
For use when Irish Instrumental Trio is selected |
Once you've made all of your final music choices from the wedding music fair or from this website, please complete the OSP Wedding Music and Musicians Request Form.
When all this information is received, we will begin the process of booking your musicians for you, and a confirmation of all selections, musicians hired, and further instructions will be emailed back to you within a few weeks. Please do not hesitate to contact us at weddingmusic@oldstpats.org with any questions you may have; remember that we are here to help make this as easy a process as possible for you. Please include the time and date of your wedding, as well as both your names, in the subject line of all correspondence with the Music Office.
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