Music for Ceremonies and Receptions in Nashville

My Services

GUIDE TO WEDDING MUSIC

James A. Weinberg, B. Mus., M.M.E.
Organist-Choirmaster, Holy Cross Anglican Church, Franklin TN
Home: 371-5856 Office: 343-8361 Mobile: 268-2296
e-mail: 88keys@pianomail.net

This guide describes the services I offer when you contract with me to provide music for your wedding. This information should be understood in conjunction with any wedding policy guidelines obtained from the church office. Please read this carefully and, if applicable, share it with your wedding coordinator to ensure a smooth rehearsal and ceremony.

CONSULTATION

Unless you are very musically literate and know what your selections will be, please choose a package that includes a music consultation session. This is where we meet at the organ or piano to audition pieces from my repertoire. Please be prepared to choose pre-service music for the gathering time prior to the ceremony—including seating of the mothers—plus any solos, congregational hymns, or special pieces desired (for example, during communion).

The couple can greatly assist the process by listening to classical and sacred recordings prior to the consultation to identify the types of music which most appeal to their tastes. Specific composers, style periods and names of works (such as “Schubert,” “Romantic,” and “Ave Maria”) will make the consultation session more productive. Feel free to bring sheet music, tapes or CDs of favorite songs, and programs from other weddings. I can also loan you tapes with traditional pieces to choose from. Sheet music for specially requested songs must be purchased and supplied to the organist at least two weeks prior to the ceremony, and will remain the property of the bride and groom. Discretion should be used when requesting love songs and other secular music, keeping in mind the sacramental nature of the ceremony. The officiating minister can offer further guidance on this subject.

REHEARSAL

It is essential that each group has a walk-through with their own theme music. This applies to the seating of the mothers, entrance of groomsmen, bridesmaids' processional, bridal march, recessional, and escorting out of mothers. Missed entrances and awkward moments occur when people do not recognize their musical cues.

FEE

My rates begin at $150 for a basic "walk-in." $300.00 covers consultation, rehearsal & ceremony. A deposit is required in advance; the balance is to be paid at the rehearsal. Separate rates apply for additional practice sessions with soloists or for playing piano at the reception. I can also subcontract professional vocalists and instrumentalists on your behalf at no charge. Travel expenses apply for ceremonies held more than 20 miles from Brentwood.

My Repertoire

Wedding Repertoire of James Weinberg
A Representative List of Popular Pieces

Pre-Service (Preludes)
Air from Water Music...George Frederick Handel
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring...Johann Sebastien Bach
Ave Maria...Bach/Gounod
Ave Maria...Franz Schubert
Love Divine (Hyfrydol)...Pritchard/Wilson
Canon in D...Johann Pachelbel
The Gift of Love...arr. Hal Hopson
Prayer...Gabriel Fauré
Sonata in A...Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
El Shaddai...Michael Card
Pass It On...Kaiser/Hayes
Spring from The Four Seasons...Antonio Vivaldi
How Majestic is Thy Name...Michael W. Smith

Other classical works by all the major composers plus a wide variety of hymn arrangements.

Processionals for Bridesmaids & Bride
Allegro Maestoso from Water Music...Handel
Prince of Denmark's March...Jeremiah Clarke
Hymne...Vangelis
Rondeau...Jean Joseph Mouret
Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin...Richard Wagner
Ode to Joy...Ludwig van Beethoven
Overture from Royal Fireworks...Handel
Highland Cathedral...Korb/Roever

Recessional Marches
Alleluia from Exsultate, Jubilate...Mozart
Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream...Felix Mendelssohn
Prelude in C...Pachelbel
The Rejoicing...Handel

Reception Music
Just the Way You Are...Billy Joel
All I Ask of You...Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Wind Beneath My Wings...Don Henley
The Windmills of Your Mind...Michel Legrande
Can You Read My Mind?...John Williams
Theme from Ice Castles...Marvin Hamlisch
I'll Still Be Loving You...Cerney/Rose
Arthur's Theme...Burt Bacharach/Carol Sager
We've Only Just Begun...Paul Williams/Roger Nichols
Try to Remember...Tom Jones/Harvey Schmidt
Annie's Song...John Denver
My Love...Paul McCartney
Longer...Dan Fogelberg
Eres Tú...Juan Calderon
Evergreen...Barbara Streisand
Love Theme from Romeo & Juliet...Nino Rota
"Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler...Jerry Bock
Here, There and Everywhere...Lennon & McCartney

Plus just about any other popular music, love song or movie theme that has been published!

Who I Am

EXPERIENCE

- Church music leader and teacher for choirs/classes of all ages
- Conductor for youth and adult handbells, brass choir, chamber ensembles, recorder consort and Orff-Schulwerk group
- Versed in selection of anthems, hymns & responses in accordance with the lectionary
- Planning of special Advent/Christmas and Lenten/Easter services
- Direction of children's Vacation Bible School music program
- Implementation of pre-primary Sunday School music class
- Participation in nursing home outreach, sacred concerts, revivals,
cantatas, religious dramatic productions and fundraising productions
- Accompanist for vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles
- Composer of original works including choral/instrumental arrangements
- Proficient on electronic and pipe organ, acoustic and electric piano,
harpsichord and synthesizer
- Consultation and performance for weddings, receptions, and funerals
- Eclectic background: experienced in renewal styles, i.e., contemporary
praise, Taizé and “blended worship”
- Budget administration and maintenance of library and equipment


MUSIC-RELATED EMPLOYMENT

• Adjunct Faculty in Piano, Organ & Theory, August 2000-present
Belmont Academy, Belmont University, Nashville, TN

• Organist-Choirmaster, July 2006-present
Holy Cross Anglican Church, Franklin TN

• Staff Organist/Keyboardist, April 2003-December 2005
Belmont Heights Baptist Church, Nashville TN

• Choirmaster-Organist, June 1995-December 2002
Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Franklin, Tennessee

• Choirmaster-Organist, 1992-1994
St. Matthias' Episcopal Church, Nashville, Tennessee

• Teaching Assistant, 1989-1993
Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee

• Assistant Director of Music & Organist, 1988-1991
Andrew Price United Methodist Church, Donelson, Tennessee

• Classical Radio Announcer/Producer, 1986-1990
WPLN-FM, Ben West Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee

• Organist/Accompanist, 1985-1988
Forest Hills United Methodist Church, Brentwood, Tennessee

• Choirmaster-Organist, 1981-1984
Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church, Nashville, Tennessee

EDUCATION

M. M. E., Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee - 1991 {3.9 GPA}
Organ Major with emphasis in Elementary Education & Methodology

B. M., Belmont College, Nashville, Tennessee - 1985 {cum laude}
Church Music Major: Organ Principal/Voice Secondary

REFERENCES PROVIDED UPON REQUEST

Wedding Sites:

Main Wedding Page
Nashville Celtic Weddings
Vanderbilt SITE