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Music plays an important part in the services of the Anglican Church, and this is particularly so in ceremonial services such as weddings. The music marks important parts of the marriage service, such as the Bridal Procession. It can create the appropriate atmosphere, and allow the congregation to participate. Above all, it can inspire to worship. It stands to reason that the music for your wedding service should be as carefully planned as any of the other arrangements.
CD GUIDE
A comprehensive list of suggested organ music, together with recorded samples of each piece, is provided to all couples being married at St. John’s at the Preparation session. This CD is designed purely for the purpose of selecting organ music for your wedding. Please note that it is only a guide and that speeds and dynamics will vary. This CD is not able to be sent via the post, nor purchased, and is not for public performance. It can only be obtained at the Preparation session.
THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC & ORGANIST
St John's church employs a professional musician as Director of Music and parish organist, further supported by two assistant organists. The parish provides, from this number, a suitably qualified and professional organist for each wedding at St John's. In some cases a couple may wish to bring their own organist - possibly a relative or friend. In such circumstances permission to invite another organist to play at St John's must be first sought from the Director of Music of St John's Church. Any such arrangement should be made well before the date of the service.
ST JOHN’S CHOIR
St. John’s has an excellent choir who are used to leading services in the church. The choir can be engaged upon request, and subject to availability, to lead the singing at weddings, especially the singing of hymns, and also to perform solo, duet, or choral items, during the ceremony. An additional fee, payable to the choir, will apply. For more details contact the Director of Music.
ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS
Some couples wish to invite other musicians or singers to provide music in place of the organist, or in conjunction with the organist. This is fine and the parish has no objection to such arrangements. Please note that, in most cases, the musicians and singers so invited will be entitled to charge their own fees, which are additional to the St. John’s wedding fee payable by all couples. St John's Church is not involved in negotiating the fee. Where the parish provided organist is required to work with other singers and / or musicians and a rehearsal is advisable, the organist is entitled to a rehearsal fee. Couples arranging for other musicians and / or singers to take part in their wedding service must bear in mind that the arrangement is entirely between themselves and the musicians and / or singers concerned. Everything necessary for the performance, including microphones, amplifiers, leads and ancillary equipment, instruments, and backing tracks etc., must be supplied by the visiting musicians and / or singers. St John's does not have nor provide facilities for this purpose.
HYMNS
A marriage service at St. John’s may include one, and sometimes, two or more, hymns. The hymns to be sung may be selected in consultation with the Director of Music or Vicar who can provide advice on suitable selections. A list of hymns commonly sung at weddings is provided for download below.
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Hymns for the wedding service