music woes

SillyLGoose

The music guy at my church was extremely judgmental and quite annoyed with my music choices!

Any heard of Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring not being appropriate for wedding entrance, or Here, I am Lord not o.k. for communion? I understand if there's some reason but he wasn't really giving me one. 

Now I have some kind of trumpet song that makes me feel like some Queen! (not in a good way).

Is the music going to break or break it? No. But I love church music and I'm a little bummed it isn't going the way I had hoped. 

Any words of wisdom?

SillyLGoose

sorry for multiple word omittence in my last post.

also, I should add that Canon in D is not allowed. Does anyone have any suggestions? 

agapecarrie

Procession depends on length, how many people, etc. Jesu doesn't really go anywhere musically, and if you have it for a massive wedding party, etc. it gets really old really fast.

The communion song is supposed to have the topic of Eucharist in some way, you can stretch that meaning pretty far.

Even Sunday liturgies have different opinions of what is appropriate and what isn't. Some people don't think anything but chant and polyphany is appropriate ever.


I'd have to know what the reasons are for canon and jesu not being allowed in order to suggest something. I often play "How Beautiful" by Twila paris for the procession, but I don't know what your music director's hangup is

Irishcurls

Did he suggest Trumpet Voluntary for you instead (just guessing based on what you said.) I happen to love that and I think that will be our recessional, provided it's allowed by our music director! No idea why Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring isn't allowed but I guess it's a church by church thing? I hope you can come up with alternatives that you like just as much and I'm sorry you're first choices were vetoed! Huge bummer. 

SillyLGoose

Thanks everyone!

 He said Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring could be used for communion and only communion if I wanted to use it.

Canon in D he said he wouldn't do because brides are disappointed when it's used because it's written for a full orchestra and the church organ doesn't have the same sound. I "youtubed" Canon in d on organ and it sounded how I expected. I don't know, he is the professional. 

I have 3 bridesmaids..so no huge procession! 

It might have been trumpet voluntary. He said it was stately and used for a previous royal wedding. 

meep2

Yup, probably the Trumpet Voluntary by Jerimiah Clarke. It was played when Princess Diana walked down the aisle in her wedding to Prince Charles. I don't see why you can't do Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. The original German lyrics are much more appropriate for communion, but the English lyrics are pretty differenct and mostly about loving Jesus, which shouldn't be inappropriate during the Mass.

I have heard "Here I Am, Lord" frequently during communion, I suppose because the very last verse seems somewhat Eucharist-related, but eh Isuppose some parishes might see it as too far off. There's also the chance that he just doesn't like the song.

Anyway, ask him if he has a book of pieces that you're allowed to pick from? Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee is often used for either processional or recessional. David N. Johnson's Trumpet Tune in D is a great piece for recessional that I found recommended on a parish website. There has to be something that you'd actually like that isn't just the same thing that the music director tries to force couples into every time.

agapecarrie

Jesu for Communion absolutely does not make sense at all...even if it is sung because the communion song is supposed to be available to be sung by the people and it is not singable for congregational use.

I'm usually extremely supportive of music directors making decisions regarding their church as I am one, but this guy just sounds like he's making up rules for the heck of it.

meep2

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_music-woes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:42e7521c-29b4-4808-8cbb-547f376566fePost:2a1309ed-d29d-4fdc-bffb-a95bd501f8db">Re: music woes</a>:
[QUOTE]Jesu for Communion absolutely does not make sense at all...even if it is sung because the communion song is supposed to be available to be sung by the people and it is not singable for congregational use. I'm usually extremely supportive of music directors making decisions regarding their church as I am one, but this guy just sounds like he's making up rules for the heck of it.
Posted by agapecarrie[/QUOTE]

Yet Communion is the time when I hear so many choirs do pieces that are not singable for congregational use (they use it as their time for "show pieces"), I guess because they figure most people are going to Communion anyway and aren't bothering. Never really thought of that.

Your music director could be a member of the Society for a Moratorium on the Music of Marty Haugen and David Haas. The website is now defunct (though the cause yet lives!), but there were many people who thought that Dan Shutte (composer of "Here I Am, Lord") should have been added to H&H. Wouldn't solve his Jesu issue, but might explain the other :)

doctabroccoli

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_music-woes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:42e7521c-29b4-4808-8cbb-547f376566fePost:2a1309ed-d29d-4fdc-bffb-a95bd501f8db">Re: music woes</a>:
[QUOTE]Jesu for Communion absolutely does not make sense at all...even if it is sung because the communion song is supposed to be available to be sung by the people and it is not singable for congregational use. I'm usually extremely supportive of music directors making decisions regarding their church as I am one, but this guy just sounds like he's making up rules for the heck of it.
Posted by agapecarrie[/QUOTE]

Hey, look at that - we agree on something :).  And if two people who don't usually agree on things think this guy is a handful, then he must be :).  Anyway, is this your home parish?  What songs do you usually sing on Sundays?

ring_pop

I have to agree with the others that your music director just sounds like he's just making up rules. I'm all for listening to their expertise but it doesn't sound like he's given you any good liturgical reason for his rules. You're not being at all unreasonable. Insist on your choices!

doctabroccoli

Threadjack -
Ringpop - So Ringcat is jealous of Baby Ringy?  Hehe.

lalaith50

He says Canon in D doesn't "sound good" and he won't let you use Jesu Joy anywhere except communion? oh. my. goodness.

tell him-

I am a professional church organist with a Masters Degree in Church Music.

If he thinks Canon in D doesn't sound good on the organ, he is either an IDIOT or the worst organist in the world.

wow. I am speechless. It *might* be possible to argue that since Canon in D isn't explicity "religious," that it's not appropriate. But that certainly doesn't seem to be what he is saying. It's certainly not "Here Comes the Bride" which has blatantly secular attachments.

Do you have any relationship with the priest to complain about this? If he doesn't know how to play Canon in D on the organ... you should be allowed to find another organist.

but, unfortunately, I also understand the general sad state of music in Catholic churches, and am aware that on the other hand, there's really not all that much you can do... sigh.

mica178

The music director at my parish is very particular, but she allowed me to process to Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring.  I have no idea what's going on with your music director.  I'm tempted to advise you to go over his head to the priest, but I don't want you to cause strife.  Have you asked said music director for a list of songs that are appropriate?  The Trumpet Voluntary is beautiful, but if you don't love it, he shouldn't be forcing it on you.

ring_pop

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_music-woes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:42e7521c-29b4-4808-8cbb-547f376566fePost:2430e0c0-4fa8-4990-83b6-4efd9f0f41d9">Re: music woes</a>:
[QUOTE]Threadjack - Ringpop - So Ringcat is jealous of Baby Ringy?  Hehe.
Posted by doctabroccoli[/QUOTE]
LOL he's definitely noticed the lack of space on my lap.

ETA: But sometimes he sleeps next to me and leans on my belly which is kind of sweet.

GulfCoaster

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_music-woes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:42e7521c-29b4-4808-8cbb-547f376566fePost:ed591744-de5a-4b75-8759-7a6d6e208339">Re: music woes</a>:
[QUOTE]The music director at my parish is very particular, but she allowed me to process to Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring.  I have no idea what's going on with your music director.  I'm tempted to advise you to go over his head to the priest, but I don't want you to cause strife.  Have you asked said music director for a list of songs that are appropriate?  The Trumpet Voluntary is beautiful, but if you don't love it, he shouldn't be forcing it on you.
Posted by mica178[/QUOTE]

Ditto this -- Trumpet Voluntary is nice, but if you don't like it, the music director shouldn't be forcing it on you.  Have you asked him for a list of appropriate music?  (I can't figure out why Jesu wouldn't be appropriate as an instrumental piece for a processional or recessional.  Even if he's thinking of the original German lyrics, it's not like he'd be singing in German, right?)
 

I guess I'm a bit spoiled bc the music director at our church let us choose anything we wanted as long as it was either classical music or sacred music.  We chose a bunch of hymns, and she had no problem with any of them.

lmeade62

Wow, that is startling. I love Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and think it would be lovely for a processional...and I am having the Canon in D for my processional. Taking everyone's advice here, I'm having a guitar and violinist combo for my prelude and processional, but that's because my organist doesn't normally play weddings and doesn't know many of the usual songs.

Trumpet Voluntary sounds more to me like a recessional; in fact, that's what I'm hoping to use.

I found all of my suggested processional and recessionals on the Catholic Wedding Help website so many here have recommended, so I can't imagine why they would be seen as "inappropriate"!

There are several places you can google/YouTube to hear all the songs...and hey, dear, it's your wedding. Music is incredibly important to me and really sets the tone and mood, so I would want the selections that "feel" right to me.

Linda

pianobuggy

Wow... Your music director is totally making things up.  I personally don't like Jesu, but I've played it as the procession in 50% of the weddings I've played for.
Personally, I wanted to avoid this stuff (plus I'm having an interfaith marriage and didn't want to offend the relatives with a whole lot of "Yay God!" music, so I wrote my own music.  My church is allowing it, but the strictness of the rules varies from church to church.  Is it possible for you to get a new ceremony musician?
My favorite processional is Brahms Intermezzo in A Op. 188 No. 2  - it has always been the right length when I play it, it's soooo romantic, and it has this great hold-your-breath moment right before the bride comes in.  You should look it up.