Catholic Wedding Music

Jay+Marissa

So we got our music choices approved for our mass, and now its time to find musicians. They recommend 2 people who play the piano and sing, so I contacted one of them, who I actually knew in high school.

He charges $300 ($200 if he only sings). Yikes! I wasn't expecting quite that much, but I guess starving musicians got to eat....

Anyway, I was wondering if any of you ladies that got married in a Catholic Church recommend your musicians? We really need someone familiar with the mass.

Also, we are thinking of trying to hire a HS student to play the Trumpet Voluntary for my processional (the standard "here comes the bride" isn't allowed)--thoughts on this? We really only need them for that one song, and I don't want to shell out another $150-$300 for 3 minutes of playing.

fallbride1109

Can't you just use the same musicians for the processional?  I had Trumpet Voluntary for my recessional and my string musicians played it.  I would think it would sound fine on the piano also.

I've said this before but in our experience, student musicians weren't cheap.  I was willing to pay a little more for professionals.  If you look at the vendor thread, there is a Knottie using UNT musicians, can't remember who.

I have cousins who play the piano and brass (french horn and trumpet).  I'm happy to contact them to see what they charge but I think it's right about that same range.

emimayor

Sorry Marissa. We weren't able to use outside musicians at St Thomas. I may be misunderstanding you, but you can't use your church organist? Or did you want additional musicians?

I'll ask around at church; I know there are a few jazz ensemble bands there.

bridgetlb

can i ask a question... what is a customary fee to pay the priest and what to pay the church at a very small catholic church that says "pay what you can".... what do you guys think?

Terriniski

I can't be of much help recommending local musicians, but we had a similar experience.  We had to use church musicians at $150 per person.  I was a bit shocked by the price, but DH explained that this is the going rate.  Unfortunately, whether it's a college/grad student or a professional, you have to make it worth their while to learn the music and possibly travel a bit.  (Unless DH gets $100+ for a gig that's local, or a lot more for somewhere he has to drive, I tell him it's not worth the hassle.)  You might have better luck with a HS student if your primary concern is budget. 

I don't personally know any trumpet players, but a friend of mine teaches bassoon lessons in Coppell so she might have connections with a band director who could refer a HS student.  Feel free to email me if you'd like me to look into that - alana dot finley at gmail dot com.

juliebug1997

I just have one thing to point out on "Trumpet Voluntary"--and I'm not trying to be snippy--but, in my mind, it's called "Trumpet Voluntary" for a reason.  I also had our trumpetist play in the recessional so I felt that I got a little more bang for my buck.  We hired him through the church so I knew he had lots of experience playing that song.   

HS students might do it for a little cheaper but I don't know that I would trust a HS student for my wedding.  And I teach them. 

PS:  The church was not a big fan of Wagner (I want to say he was an anti-semite) and, while it is up to the priest, there are quite a few churches who will not allow "Here Comes the Bride" to be played. 

MissAngel

I was going to do the same thing... It is for only one song.  I heard it both ways with only the piano and with piano and trumpet and although they both sound good, the trumpet sounds even more extraordinary.

I was thinking about dropping by the UNT school of music.  They usually have a wall in one of those halls there that people have posted up for work.  Not sure how much they are charging though...

MissAngel

At St. Ann... they have a lady that is from the church... I believe she charges $300 to sing and play.  She played a lot of weddings at St. Ann when I helped out there.  And for the trumpet voluntary, there was one time where they only had the trumpet play the very beginning of the song for the Bride's entrance.  So it can't be that difficult for a few measures I don't think... but I'd have to hear the student play and be confident he or she can do it well...

stephl3055

We had a Catholic wedding without the mass and we also used the church's organist, who sings as well.  He was $200, so that is in line with what your church is asking you to pay considering you would have a full mass.  Is there an option to use the church's organist?

It's interesting that every church is so different, our church allowed me to play Trumpet Voluntary. 

bridgetlb

i will have to pay the music person separately... the priest gave me the name for the person they usually use - he is charging $200 which inclues a piano player and singer. so i still need to figure out how much for the church and how much to the priest.

Jay+Marissa

At St. Ann... they have a lady that is from the church... I believe she charges $300 to sing and play

That must be the other lady I was about to contact--guess she isn't any cheaper. St. Anns is a huge wedding factory--there is a music director, but he just had a baby and isn't really available for weddings anymore. (And I bet he charges close to $500) So basically, you can choose from a list they give you. No organ either--only a piano.

I guess I'll probably stick with this guy for $300 and see if I can get a HS student to play Trumpet Voluntary for $50. My brothers gf is a senior in the band there, and she says she has a few responsible friends that might be interested.

juliebug1997

Marissa,
Good Luck!!!!  Are you getting excited that your big day is fast approaching?

Jay+Marissa

Heck yes!