Our tune

A session's brainstorming by the team at Hereford's Music Pool has come up with some music you may want to consider for your civil wedding reception.

Administrator Dennis Schiavon stresses that they are very much light-hearted suggestions and have been picked on the basis of what the team knows is popular and their own personal feelings about what might be appropriate.

When selecting any songs for your wedding he advises: "Make sure you listen to the tune and ensure you know what all the words say.

Remember also that in a civil ceremony, only non-religious music is permitted - although a recent relaxation in the rules means that certain previously barred pieces are now allowed. To be absolutely certain, when you visit the registrar to discuss your ceremony, you should discuss your musical requirements.

Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin, Wagner

For processing up the aisle, it doesn't get much more traditional than this. Works just as well in a civil ceremony as in a church.

Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Mendelssohn.

As with the former, it doesn't get much more traditional when going back down the aisle. In church or anywhere else.

Air on a G String, JS Bach

Or more correctly Air from the Suite in G. You'll know it the minute you hear it, even if your classical knowledge is sparse. Who remembers the Hamlet advert or Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale? Yes THAT one. Perfect in its original form for a wedding.

Canon in D, Pachelbel

Another you'll know when you hear it. Think All Together Now by The Farm or, for those with slightly longer memories, that wool advert. It's incredibly popular with bridal couples too.

Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Handel.

Handel's great for special occasion music - note several hundred years' worth of coronation accompaniment - you won't go wrong with this to add that certain something to your special day.

Trumpet Voluntary (Prince of Denmark's March), Jeremiah Clarke

Another hugely popular choice for weddings. It makes a great impact whether played on organ or trumpet - or emitted from stereo speakers.

Four Seasons: Spring, Vivaldi

Well if you're getting married in spring, why not go for this? Many do says the Music Pool team.

Chapel of Love, The Dixie Cups

For appropriate pop numbers it doesn't get much more appropriate than this. Rock on!

Love is All Around, Wet Wet Wet

Well if you top the charts for weeks on end with a song that's taken from a film all about weddings, it's bound to become associated with celebrating nuptials. Don't forget The Troggs' original version too.

Angels, Robbie Williams

You wouldn't have been allowed this a little over 12 months ago, but since the relaxation in the rules this song, voted the best single in 25 years in 2005, is a popular choice for happy couples.

Love Is Here to Stay, George Gershwin.

The words make it an eminently suitable option for a bridal pair, suggests Music Pool adminstrator Dennis Schiavon - along with another Gershwin: Love Walked In.

THE Music Pool is the community music charity for Herefordshire and its borders and is based at The Courtyard.

It runs a variety of music activities, some also involving related arts, such as drama, dance and writing.

Its work is carried out in many different settings, and activities are run for people of all sorts, ages, abilities and means.

Most is designed to be participatory and the charity believes that people's lives and their communities are enhanced by taking part in musical activity.

Telephone: 01432 278118

email: musicpool@btconnect.com

www.musicpool.org.uk

When choosing your music, it is worth remembering that not every church possesses an organ as substantial as the instruments in cathedrals or large churches you may have heard live or on recordings!

Small village churches have much more modest instruments and it is wise to discuss with the organist the feasibility of certain pieces before committing ideas to print. Any recording (video or otherwise) made of copyright music is illegal, and musicians involved in the service are entitled to charge extra fees if their playing is recorded, whether or not this is arranged in advance.

The music played at the start covers the entrance of the bride and the procession to the front of the church. This can be quite short, but needs to be strong enough to announce to the excited congregation that something special is happening. The Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin (an opera by Richard Wagner) is the most frequently used, though many brides prefer not to use music so strongly associated with the words "Here comes the bride"!

I would suggest as alternatives: Trumpet Voluntary (The Prince of Denmark's March) by Jeremiah Clarke; Trumpet Tune; Henry Purcell; Prelude to the Te Deum, MA Charpentier; Trumpet Voluntary, John Stanley;

Sonata III, first movement (first section only), Mendelssohn; Nun danket alle Gott (Marche Triomphale), S Karg-Elert and Choral Song by SS Wesley.

SS Wesley was organist of Hereford Cathedral during the 1830s so this last choice could be thought particularly appropriate for weddings in the county. All these pieces have the advantage of being relatively easy either to cut short or extend should the bridal processional be shorter or longer than anticipated! The first four items would work effectively with a trumpet soloist if preferred.

Equally important is the choice of music for the organist to play as the married couple leave at the end. This needs to be essentially joyful in nature and can afford more exuberance than the dignified entrance music.

Mendelssohn's Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream is deservedly one of the most popular choices and can be made to work effectively on almost every instrument.

Other pieces which work well are: Toccata from Symphony No 5 by Widor; Final from Symphony No 1, Vierne;

Toccata, Dubois, Hornpipe from Water Music, Handel;

Grand Choeur in D, op.18, A Guilmant; Final from Symphony No 6, Widor, and Pomp and Circumstance March No 4 in G by Elgar.

This last piece is a grand orchestral work transcribed for the organ by Elgar's friend George Robertson Sinclair, organist of Hereford Cathedral from 1889 to 1917.

There is usually a pause of about five minutes in the ceremony while registers are signed. It is possible, though not necessary, to specify what music should be played at this point.

Most organists will be happy to play suitable music of their own choice here.

This is also the point when the church choir or a soloist might be able to sing a particular item if the couple so choose.

Realistically, if organ music is played, it is unlikely to be listened to without background noise of some sort from the congregation so the music chosen is more to do with creating the atmosphere rather than making a performance! Suitable music might include: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Bach;, Schmcke Dich, O Liebe Seele BWV 654 (Deck Thyself, My Soul, With Gladness), Bach; Air (or other movements) from Water Music, Handel; Air and Gavotte, F S Wesley and A Trumpet Minuet by A Hollins.

The above list is only the briefest selection; there are many other possibilities that the couple may like. Not every piece of music will transfer happily to the organ, however, and not every organist will have all this music in his or her repertoire.

It is always a good idea to allow the organist, who will know best what works well on the organ concerned, to make his or her own suggestions as to which music will best help to create the right balance of formality or informality, exuberance or thoughtfulness appropriate for the different parts of the wedding and which help to make it a memorable and colourful occasion.

In the midst of all the preparations that have to be made before a wedding, the choice of music for the ceremony can often present difficulties for couples.

In a church wedding, the music will generally be played on the organ and, although there is a wealth of great music written for the instrument, most of it is largely unknown to the majority of people!

Peter Dyke, assistant organist of Hereford Cathedral and part-time teacher of A-Level music at Hereford Cathedral School, offers some suggestions which he finds to have worked effectively in the past to enhance the atmosphere and add to the sense of occasion at a marriage service.