instrumental music

aimers1525

I have a semi-weird question.  Our church requires an additional fee ($75 I think) for the cantor to sing mass parts beyond the psalm, gloria, etc. So this would mean we would have to have only instrumental or no music during/ after communion, during the sign of peace, presentation of the gifts. 

Do you think it would be okay if we just had instrumental (piano/organ) during those parts or would it be weird if there was no singing? I know it's not a lot of money, but it's just something I don't know if it's necessary. TIA!

ellen73

We just had instrumental music for the presentation of the gifts (since there wasn't a collection, it didn't need to be very long),  but did have singing everywhere else.  

We love music and wanted the mass to be joyous and celebratory.  We wanted everyone to sing & participate fully.  We chose songs that most people knew or they should at least have known the tunes to. We provided the lyrics in our program. We had my niece sing the communion song (she's the lead singer in a band and is in a couple church choirs).  The cantor was a friend, and she did all the mass parts. We chose versions that everyone knew (even though I originally wanted to use some used at Old St. Pat's!)   Our gathering song and recessional song were performed by a traditional Irish duo (guitar/singer, fiddle) & the pianist.  

newlyseliski

I actually just talked with our music director about this!  We don't have very many sung hymns beyond the gloria, psalm, etc.  During preparation of the gifts, he said that this goes a lot more quickly for a Wedding Mass than a normal Mass because there are a lot fewer people receiving communion, so doing an entire sung hymn would delay moving into the liturgy of the Eucharist.  My sister was originally going to sing Mozart's "Ave Verum Corpus" during the preparation of the gifts, but our music director recommended shifting it to communion instead for the aforementioned reasons.  Since that shift eliminated our Communion hymn (Adoro Te Devote), we'll probably have an opening hymn instead so that the congregation can participate.  I personally don't mind "pauses" in congregational singing during the Mass because it allows us to contemplate, pray and remain focused during that time... I know I need it

So... I don't think it would be odd to not have sung hymns at those points, especially if the melody of the instrumental music may be recognizeable (like Ave Maria).  If they permit you to have a guest singer without an extra rehearsal fee, that could be a good option, too, instead of paying the cantor extra.

doctabroccoli

I think it's completely your personal preference.  I'm with Ellen, personally.  Since I've been extensively involved with liturgical music since I was a wee munchkin, that's an integral part of our ceremony.  And I don't like weddings that seem like they're funerals.  For me, the music sets the tone - in my case happy and joyous!  But I know that's not the case for everyone!

gwendolynclare

Remember also that music serves a liturgical function; don't just use it as filler to avoid silence.  Silence can be joyful, too!

aimers1525

Thanks for all of the responses-gives me some things to think about! Unfortunately, we cannot bring in an outside cantor I also didn't think about the fact that the preparation of the gifts would be shorter because of no collection.

Edit: to change communiom to collection!

mica178

Could you have the congregation (your guests and family) sing without a cantor during those times, or would a cantor be required to lead them?

aimers1525

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_instrumental-music?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:06c3b3d5-451f-4d1c-aa80-ec19aa096b47Post:09f53442-45b0-4103-bfff-363fdc526b6e">Re: instrumental music</a>:
[QUOTE]Could you have the congregation (your guests and family) sing without a cantor during those times, or would a cantor be required to lead them?
Posted by mica178[/QUOTE]
I could have people just sing during those times w/out a cantor, but I"m afraid that people won't know to sing (I would say 50% of guests are Catholic) even though I have lovely BM's who are not afraid to be the initiators (ha if that's a word) of singing :)

newlyseliski

IMO, I think that they should only be charging extra if the additional music is outside their normal repetoire... like solos that would require additional rehearsal and practice time.  Charging $75 to lead additional hymns sung by the whole congregation seems a bit much to me, especially if the cantor typically does this at Mass on Sunday and is accustomed to it.  Is the $75 an additional fee on top of an existing cantor fee or the overall wedding fee?  I think it depends on how much the cantor is initially receiving... but I don't want to assume anything!  It may not hurt to ask if opening and closing hymns could be included... although, if you're doing a unity candle or dedication to Mary accompanied by any special music, you may need to pay the extra $.

These links might be helpful for generally determining what music is not included in your current fee:
http://catholicweddinghelp.com/wedding-planning/07-choose-music.htm
http://catholicweddinghelp.com/topics/order-wedding-with-mass.htm

aimers1525

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_instrumental-music?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:06c3b3d5-451f-4d1c-aa80-ec19aa096b47Post:d0189060-8784-4cb1-a56c-0bb48ae9ece8">Re: instrumental music</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: instrumental music : If there's no communion, there will be no need for hymns for the Liturgy of the Eucharist!  I probably read that wrong though :) Apologies if I did! <a href="http://catholicweddinghelp.com/topics/order-wedding-outside-mass.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://catholicweddinghelp.com/topics/order-wedding-outside-mass.htm</a> This link might be helpful: <a href="http://catholicweddinghelp.com/wedding-planning/07-choose-music.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://catholicweddinghelp.com/wedding-planning/07-choose-music.htm</a>
Posted by newlyseliski[/QUOTE]
Opps when I said no Communion, I meant no collection! Sorry!

newlyseliski

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_instrumental-music?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:06c3b3d5-451f-4d1c-aa80-ec19aa096b47Post:f03f9d6e-9ea2-496c-a668-da6b506a9ef8">Re: instrumental music</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: instrumental music : Opps when I said no Communion, I meant no collection! Sorry!
Posted by aimers1525[/QUOTE]

Thanks :-)  I'll edit my other response!

aimers1525

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_instrumental-music?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:06c3b3d5-451f-4d1c-aa80-ec19aa096b47Post:d0189060-8784-4cb1-a56c-0bb48ae9ece8">Re: instrumental music</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>IMO, I think that they should only be charging extra if the additional music is outside their normal repetoire... like solos that would require additional rehearsal and practice time.  </strong>C<strong>harging $75 to lead additional hymns sung by the whole congregation seems a bit much to me, especially if the cantor typically does this at Mass on Sunday and is accustomed to it.</strong>  <strong>Is the $75 an additional fee on top of an existing cantor fee or the overall wedding fee?</strong>  I think it depends on how much the cantor is initially receiving... but I don't want to assume anything!  It may not hurt to ask if opening and closing hymns could be included... although, if you're doing a unity candle or dedication to Mary accompanied by any special music, you may need to pay the extra $. These links might be helpful for generally determining what music is not included in your current fee: <a href="http://catholicweddinghelp.com/wedding-planning/07-choose-music.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://catholicweddinghelp.com/wedding-planning/07-choose-music.htm</a> <a href="http://catholicweddinghelp.com/topics/order-wedding-with-mass.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://catholicweddinghelp.com/topics/order-wedding-with-mass.htm</a>
Posted by newlyseliski[/QUOTE]
That's what I thought! The songs that we would pick are not out of the ordinary and are included in the hymnal the church uses every week.  The additional $75 is on top of $75 the cantor is already receiving as part of our total "donation" to the church.

Thanks for the links--I had not seen those topics on that website!

lalaith50

that's really weird...the cantor is going to BE there anyhow to sing the Gloria/Psalm but just won't sing any hymns unless you pay them more????

newlyseliski

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_instrumental-music?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:06c3b3d5-451f-4d1c-aa80-ec19aa096b47Post:9f0f6bfd-3d3f-48d0-b6cc-3659f3139057">Re: instrumental music</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: instrumental music : That's what I thought! The songs that we would pick are not out of the ordinary and are included in the hymnal the church uses every week.  The additional $75 is on top of $75 the cantor is already receiving as part of our total "donation" to the church. Posted by aimers1525[/QUOTE]

Hmmm, this isn't too outrageous... I know that my sister cantors a lot of weddings and usually charges about $150 for the whole Mass.  She typically needs to take a fair amount of time practicing and rehearsing with the accompanist in advance, especially if there are any songs that are out of the ordinary.  I think that it's a bit odd that they break it up like that at your parish!

lmeade62

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_instrumental-music?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:06c3b3d5-451f-4d1c-aa80-ec19aa096b47Post:d0189060-8784-4cb1-a56c-0bb48ae9ece8">Re: instrumental music</a>:
[QUOTE]IMO, I think that they should only be charging extra if the additional music is outside their normal repetoire... like solos that would require additional rehearsal and practice time.  Charging $75 to lead additional hymns sung by the whole congregation seems a bit much to me, especially if the cantor typically does this at Mass on Sunday and is accustomed to it.
Posted by newlyseliski[/QUOTE]

Boy, I totally agree. I cantor at our church, and I would never dream of asking for extra to sing hymns if they were hymns I already knew! In fact, I don't think would ask for a fee at all - maybe just a token gift, which is all my organist is asking for.

But then, I'm not a professional singer...maybe that's the difference...

Linda