An Overview

We are very pleased that you have chosen to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage at Saint John Neumann Catholic Church.  Our music program is directed by Noel Jones. He is responsible for all the music that is sung and played in the church.

Almost all church wedding websites start out by telling you all the things you cannot have sung...

Here we are more interested in giving you a special wedding.  And if you like, you may even have Gregorian Chant sung at your wedding.

lAnd we focus on music that is liturgically appropriate for a Catholic Church and have become experts at that to make sure you get the most beautiful music possible.  In addition, your wedding need not be a cookie-cutter wedding.  You do not need trip down the aisle to yet another rendition of the chamber music (read small room) Canon by Pachelbel, but to music that was written for grand churches with wonderful stained glass, marble column facings...music that will make your relatives and friends call you up for years asking, "What was that that you came down to at your wedding?  I have friend getting married and I told them all about it...".

Hear some examples:

Please visit: http://www.weddingmusic.co.uk/html/tunes.html

Listen to the music For The Entrance...especially Eternal Source of Light Divine....there's a lot of music out there that can make Your Wedding something special, and that's what we delight in.

Definitely consider the Toccata from Symphony V for leaving the church...it's not heard a lot because it takes a big organ...and a skilled organist.  We've got two concert organists on staff and one specializes in weddings, so that's not a problem here.

And we have singers available...one, four, or an entire choir...so anything you hear on that mage you may have at your wedding.

Fees: $300 for the Organist, who also coordinates all the music for the wedding.  If you happen to have a qualified organist that you want to play, that may be a possibility, but be aware that our AGO (American Guild of Organists) organists work by the AGO code of ethics that insures that they, being resident organists here and required to hold dates open for your wedding, are paid a bench fee....their $300 even if your organist plays.  One of our wedding staff organists is an Associate (Masters Degree) of the AGO and has been on staff at two Catholic Cathedrals, one in Germany, the other in Italy;  the other organist double degreed, an AGO Colleaguewith a Bachelors's Degree in Music from Kent State University.

Additional Fees:  Wedding Rehearsal Attendance, $100.  Rehearsing with non-staff singers, $60 an hour.

We will arrange for all vocalists needed as well.  We have a fee chart for them plus a suggested minimum donation if your request the choir to sing.

Additional musicians, including strings, brass players and a timpanist, can be provided for your wedding.

Guest musicians, friends of the couple and family members are usually not involved in Weddings at St. John Neumann. You may seek permission of the Director of Music, who will take your request into careful consideration.

• Secular Music is not permitted in Catholic Churches, nor are secular instruments. 

Permitted Instruments:

Organ

Violin, Viola, Cello, Contrabass

Brass, including Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn and Tuba

Flute, Oboe

• Catholic Church Law does not permit the playing of recorded music in any form in the Sanctuary at Mass.

A few quick rules.  If you have a wedding bulletin, and we recommend that you do, especially for a Wedding Mass it is important to make sure that you include the following information for non-Catholics...and Catholics who may attend parishes with relaxed, casual liturgies:

A Catholic Church is a solemn place, a sacred space set aside for silence and prayer.  Even during Holy Mass there are 7 times when silence is observed as a part of the ritual.

• We observe silence in church at all times.  We believe we are the the presence of Christ in the Tabernacle. For that reason you will see Catholics genuflect when entering a pew, bow at times and maintain a solemn silence before and after Mass.  Thsi gives those arriving a chance for prayer.

• You do not need to sit, stand and kneel unless you wish to.

• Until the day when all are joined together those who are not professed Catholics may not share in receiving Communion at Holy Mass.  You may remain in the  pew, or come forward and by crossing your arms in front of you indicate that you would like to receive a blessing, which is common for children and adults who have not yet received the First Communion.

• Applause is not permitted...though at times it happens...it is discouraged in Liturgical churches.  Nothing that we do in the church, be it reading or singing, is seeking to get us praise by the congregation...we are reading and singing to God and his constant love is part of our reward.  The smiles and joy emanating from the congregation as you turn and face them as a newly married couple is much more meaningful than the clapping of hands...

Our interest is in assisting you by presenting to you music choices that in character with the Catholic Church, our Church Sanctuary and the Music Program of our Church.  All music sung and played in the church must be Sacred music...and Catholic.  You may have music that you find very important to you and your spouse to be...but is not Sacred in text...or in style of composition.  This does not mean that you will not be able to enjoy this music on your wedding day.  It is entirely appropriate that this music be sung and played at your reception.

The wedding in the church is your joining together in front of witnesses, in a Catholic ceremony.  For this reason only Catholic music is permitted.  Those of you who attend Saint John Neumann regularly are familiar with the music that we do at Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses.  If you have music that you are unsure of, Noel Jones will be very willing to go over it with you to consider its suitability.

Sometimes people are upset that they will not be able to hear "We've Only Just Begun" and "The Wedding Song" by Paul Stookey with guitars in church...these are songs that really belong at your reception.  The lack of reference to God in WOJB rules it out, and the folk style of music of the "Wedding Song" is more appropriate for a reception as well...and the text is much more appropriate to serve as one of the solemn readings for your church wedding.

You've got questions.  Email our director of music, Noel Jones, at noelchoir@earthlink.net

Expect an answer back the same day, if not quicker.