Another Music Related Question

linzluvsgzuss

For those of you that had a Processional song AND an Opening Hymn (or as we'd call it on Sundays, a "Gathering" song), how did the timing of the processional and hymn work out?

I'm planning the music for our Mass right now and I'm thinking Canon in D for the Processional (the wedding party and me? or maybe just me and something different for the WP), and it seems weird to have a Mass and not sing a gathering song, but just have an instrumental...but would it be weird and too long if after walking up we start singing a hymn? Just wondering what ya'll did. Additional info, we're probably going to use Mass of St. Timothy Mass settings with the Celtic Alleluia, The Lord is Kind and Merciful (http://www.box.net/shared/yt4dhrylfl) for the Psalm, Communion will probably be How Beautiful...and that's about all we have planned so far. Set Me As A Seal (Matt Maher) will either be a prelude or a Communion Meditation (if we don't present flowers to Mary - which would be accompanied with Ave Maria).

ellen73

We used a gathering song... and honestly, I don't remember the flow of it all!!  I remember being on the altar and singing it,  but don't remember the transition between walking up the aisle and getting the point of singing the song!  We had a Friday afternoon Mass (4:30 pm), with reception immediately following (6:00 pm).   I know we got to the reception around 6:30 pm, slightly delayed b/c we took pictures family pictures and a couple of briday party pictures after the mass.  OH- and slightly delayed b/c we had an inexperienced limobus driver that took us past a mall with lots of restaurants/shops on a Friday evening during rush hour.  But I digress...

I personally loved having a gathering song.  Having the gathering song allowed our guests to participate and be actively involved.   We had a fairly large wedding, and most people were at the mass (probably 250 out of 300)... and it felt like a celebration- of our faith and our soon to be marriage.  I think having a gathering song set the tone for that.

Zippy88k

Most organists/pianists end the Canon in D whenever you get up to the front, so doing a gathering song won't be a whole lot of extra time. If it's something you really want, then you should go with it.

The Canon in D is based on a four measure pattern, so every four measures it repeats the harmonies, making it really easy to stop the song early according the the desired timing.

linzluvsgzuss

Thanks Zippy. My main concern is that we have a very strict and very limited time in the Church because it's at a very beautiful and popular California Mission so I don't want to a) be choppy with the flow of the gathering or b) cut into the 20-30 minutes we get for pictures post Mass, to be honest.

@ellen, it wasn't strange or uncomfortable standing up there for a few minutes singing even though the processional was done?

ellen73

Nope- it gave us time to soak it all in!  I remember looking around at all of our guests, seeing everyone smiling,   noticing who was there, and realizing "wow, this is it, it's really happening!".    And I remember my nieces all just being super excited (my nieces were most of my bridesmaids).   And I remember the lyrics of the hymn we chose helped bring us into focus. We really were there for the Sacrament of Marriage and all these people were there to witness/participate in our day (and everyone was singing)... 

It's a short song, fairly upbeat:

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.

Jesus was found, at a similar feast,
taking the roles of both waiter and priest,
turning the worldly towards the divine,
tears into laughter and water to wine.

Therefore we pray that his spirit preside
over the wedding of bridegroom and bride,
fulfilling all that they've hoped will come true,
lighting with love all they dream of and do.

Praise then the Maker, the Spirit, the Son,
source of the love through which two are made one.
God's is the glory, the goodness and grace
seen in this marriage and known in this place.

doctabroccoli

We are having our processionals and then a gathering song.....  and a gloria, lol.  I'm a liturgical musician, what I can I say?  Anyway, once I walk down the aisle and am up front, the cantors will announce the opening hymn.

I agree with you, though.  It seems weird to me to have a processional without an official opening hymn .

GulfCoaster

We used a hymn as our processional.  Two for one!    Our organist/cantor alternated between instrumental-only and vocal verses, which gave enough time for the entire processional.

linzluvsgzuss

Thanks ladies! I think we'll all process in to Canon in D and then probably try and find a short gathering song to sing once FI and I enter the sanctuary.