I have the privilege of singing at several weddings a year
at St. John’s- the big church downtown
right across from the Convention Center and Pan Am Plaza. I love working with my friend and colleague,
Tom Nichols, who has been asking me to sing at weddings and occasional
funerals, since 2001. Oddly enough, he
got and kept my card from a mailing I had send out a few years even before
that!
Many of my ministerial or pianist friends and colleagues
hate doing weddings. And, for them, I
can see why doing weddings can get tedious.
-Dealing with the bride… and the mothers… and the hungover groomsmen who
just want to get with the bridesmaids…yes, that’s annoying and sometimes feels
quite thankless. But, for me, it is a
relatively stress-free way to earn some easy money.
I never know the people who are getting married, but I enjoy
the ceremony, nevertheless! I have a
great view from the cantor’s seat. I can
see the whole congregation full of immediate family, friends, cousins, and co-workers. I can see and sometimes hear the nervous
groomsmen and groom. I get to see the
look on the groom’s face first as he gets that initial glance at his bride
coming down the aisle. And though I don’t know them at all, I do always get a
little tear in my eye when I spy a secret glance between the bride and groom,
or watch as the father brings the bride forward and “gives her away.”
Let’s face it, people who get married in this church probably
have enough money for their “dream wedding” and reception. And, the reception is probably being held
someplace fancy downtown that cost a lot of money. So, the dresses are also always beautiful and
extravagant. I check out the bridesmaid’s
fashion too. What color? What style?
Will this be a dress they will dare wear again? I can also see in detail the shoes! (And can tell whether or not they are used to
walking in heels!)
I feel that my role as the “cantor” is to just make people
feel comfortable with the music. And, if
they don’t want to sing along, I hope that my voice lends a calming and sweet
aura to the air! I love to sing Schubert’s
“Ave Maria” because it brings so much emotion out for people. I feel like that is a special thing that I get
to do as the wedding singer-bring out the emotion for people. My job is not to outshine anyone on these
days, but to add to the sentiment and beauty to this rite.
Before I was married, I always used this time to fantasize
about what my own wedding would be like.
And I didn’t even have a potential groom! I even collected all of the programs to use in reference for making my futire wedding programs! Of course, I can say now, that the only
similarity to my wedding and the ones I sing for, is that Tom played at our
wedding! I specifically chose my
favorite prelude songs-many he arranged- for our wedding. I also chose his arrangement of “Ode to Joy”
for my walk down the aisle. So, every
time I hear him play that, I can think back upon my beautiful wedding! --Which, leads me to how I feel about weddings
since I have been married; I think about
my wonderful husband, who, probably drove me to the wedding, and whom I will
get to spend a Saturday with when I am done.
I think about how much we love each other, and how much he respects me
and works hard for our family. And, I
also now think about my precious little Will.
It’s hard to believe that just a year ago, he was not “on the outside”! He is growing so fast, and we love him so
much!
So, off I go today to sing at another wedding. Let’s see what this one will have in
store! And later next month, I get to
sing one on my very own anniversary!
Next month, I will write about our wedding ceremony- which, my husband
says, “was a concert where two people got married in the middle!”
Recommended Music
Books for Voice Students
Posts
