(Part 4 of a 4-part article)
Your wedding processional marks the culmination of your life so far and the transition into an even greater phase of your life. Make sure your wedding processional music is up to the task!
In the previous parts of this article, I’ve discussed choosing your processional based on how you want to express joy and the tone to set for the ceremony, your ceremony decisions affecting your processional, and some ways to spice up commonly used processionals.
In this final segment, Wedding Music Unveiled offers many less-commonly-used processional choices. And there are even more top choices out there. There is no shortage of music for you to choose from!
More choices
So if you want to choose distinctive wedding processional music, where do you start?
Right here! Some of the following suggestions may be familiar to some guests, but not nearly as common as the pieces in the previous part of the article and none of them will cause them to yawn. Check out these suggestions, roughly listed from soft to majestic:
- George Frideric Handel: Arioso “Thanks Be To Thee”
Can be performed by organ alone, or organ plus a solo instrument (such as trumpet, violin, flute). For what it’s worth, scholars don’t believe it was written by Handel. But don’t let that stop you.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=293496258&id=293496198&s=143441
- Johannes Brahms: Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen (or Lo, How a Rose E’er Bloometh)
Written for organ but could be played on a piano. Would be especially appropriate near Christmas-time, but can be used throughout the year.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=4784365&id=4784383&s=143441
- Johann Sebastian Bach: Arioso, also known as Sinfonia (or Adagio) from Cantata BWV 156 and also as the Largo from Harpsichord Concerto in F Minor (BWV 1056)
A very flexible piece when it comes to instrumentation. Can be performed on an organ, piano, classical guitar, or an organ/piano with almost any gentle solo instrument.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=171523778&id=171522926&s=143441
- Johann Sebastian Bach: “Bist du bei mir” from Cantata 508
Written as an aria (to be sung), but for a wedding, use an organ or piano, or organ/piano plus a solo instrument.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=209414275&id=209414152&s=143441
- George Frideric Handel: Largo from Xerxes
Can be performed by organ or piano alone, by harp, or by organ/piano plus a solo instrument (flute, violin).
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=250669428&id=250669075&s=143441
- George Frideric Handel: Air from Water Music Suite #1 in F (sometimes known as Solemn Processional from Water Music)
Written for small orchestra, but typically performed on an organ for weddings. If you are lucky enough to have a harp or string quartet available, this is an exceptional choice.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=160783083&id=160783052&s=143441
- Johannes Brahms: St. Anthony’s Chorale. Full name is “Variations on the St. Anthony Chorale” (also known as Variations on a Theme by Haydn)
Typically, just the opening Theme (Andante) section is played (for time reasons). Written for orchestra, but can be performed on either an organ or piano for weddings.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=208991925&id=208991866&s=143441
- Georg Philipp Telemann: Grazioso (full name is la Grace from Heroic Marches)
Can be performed on an organ, organ plus either trumpet or violin.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=151079963&id=151079895&s=143441
- Johann Sebastian Bach: Wachet Auf or Chorale Prelude on Wachet auf (the German melody name for the hymn “Sleepers Awake” or “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying”)
Often performed on an organ, but the combination of organ and trumpet works very well (as would other loud solo instruments).
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=82544066&id=82546631&s=143441
- André Campra: Rigaudon
For organ.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=171523335&id=171522926&s=143441
- George Frideric Handel: March from Occasional Oratorio
For organ.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=79448303&id=79448206&s=143441
- Craig A. Penfield: Trompette Jubilante
For organ.
http://gvolts.net/kirchetracks/2006/10-22-06/TrompetteJubilante.mp3
- David Lasky: Processional Rondeau in D Major
For organ.
- William Boyce: Trumpet Voluntary (Largo Andante)
Can be performed by organ plus trumpet or organ alone.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=272436460&id=272436407&s=143441
- David German: Festival Trumpet Tune
Can be performed by organ alone or organ plus trumpet.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=41763162&id=41763189&s=143441
- David N. Johnson: Trumpet Tune in D
For organ or organ plus solo trumpet.
http://organ.wicks.com/mp3/RCIII/Johnson_Trumpet.mp3
- Michael McCabe: Trumpet Tune
For organ.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=41763169&id=41763189&s=143441
- Johann Pachelbel: Fantasia in C
For organ.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=137710087&id=137710081&s=143441
- John Stanley: Trumpet Voluntary in D Major
Often performed on an organ but can also be performed by an organ with trumpet.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=160783099&id=160783052&s=143441
- Jean-Joseph Mouret: Rondeau
Well-known as the theme to PBS’ Masterpiece Theater.
Can be performed on an organ or organ plus trumpet.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=204592643&id=204591736&s=143441
- Jean-Baptiste Lully: Air de Trompette
For organ.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=201360363&id=201360314&s=143441
- David N. Johnson: Processional
Can be performed on an organ alone, organ plus trumpet, or piano plus trumpet.
- Mark Thewes: Festival Trumpet Tune in D Major
For organ.
- Jon Roberts: Trumpet Tune in G Major
For organ.
- Giacomo Meyerbeer: Coronation March from Le Prophéte (The Prophet) (1849)
Originally written for orchestra, but typically played on an organ for weddings.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=277679728&id=277679505&s=143441
- Marc-Antione Charpentier: Prelude to Te Deum
Originally written for orchestra, but typically played on an organ for weddings.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=160783063&id=160783052&s=143441
- Louis Claude D’Aquin: Swiss Noel with variations
Wonderful for Christmas-time ceremonies. For organ.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=252687217&id=252687145&s=143441
- Benedetto Marcello: Psalm 19 (The Heaven’s Declare the Glory of God)
For organ.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=74711295&id=74711641&s=143441
Wrapping up
If you’re planning a wedding, start the process of finding wedding processional music now! Think about the style you want to use and how much music you’ll need. As you listen to music, note your reactions, such as whether you really like it, what you like and what you don’t like about it, or perhaps it’s not for you but the style is close what you’re looking for. Being able to understand your reaction will help you make your choices.
Otherwise, if you’re not planning a wedding, please leave a comment about unique wedding processional music you’ve heard and what you thought about it. Your comments are always welcome and appreciated!
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Augsburg Fortress publishes a fine collection of Trumpet Tunes for Organ by David Johnson. 30 tunes of varying difficulty (less than $1.00/piece). This is a handy resource when you’re trying to get out of the traditional trumpet tune “rut”.
It’s great to have a larger listing of processional options. Many of the brides I’ve worked with are familiar with only one or maybe two (the commonly used ones). But after they hear other options, most will opt to try something else. This list has been a wonderful help!