The members of the Festival City Symphony Brass Quintet are

experienced wedding musicians, and can provide the perfect

accompaniment to any ceremony.  Whether you know the specific

selections that you would like to have performed as part of your

ceremony, or if you are new to the world of wedding music and

would like us to offer some suggestions, we would be pleased to

help make the music at your wedding fit your needs perfectly.  A

little time spent planning the music at your wedding will greatly enhance the beauty

of the ceremony.  There is no substitute for quality live music!  Any wedding is a

special event, but the addition of a musical ensemble can really enhance the

occasion.  The Festival City Symphony Brass Quintet can provide all of the music

that you will need for your ceremony.  Often church weddings will also incorporate

the church organist.  If you do not have an organist available to you, we would be

happy make arrangements with one of the excellent organists that we work with

regularly. 

For those that are a little unsure of exactly what musical selections they would like

to have performed at their ceremony, the following is a description of a typical church

wedding, including some popular musical choices.  It is intended as a “guide” to how

music can be used, and can be varied to the needs of each unique wedding ceremony.

The Prelude is an interval of music starting 20 to 30 minutes prior to the

ceremony.  During the Prelude, the music will help establish the “mood” for

your wedding.  Musical selections will tend to be moderately paced, and upbeat. 

The music is essentially “background music”… allowing guests to chat, and

listen as desired, in a general mood of joyous expectation.  It is common that

an organist will also share the prelude responsibilities, often alternating

selections with the Quintet. Traditionally, as the Prelude music is being played, the ushers

will escort your guests to their seats. The groom's mother and father, and finally the bride's

mother are the last people to be escorted to their places. Often particular pieces are

selected to be played for the mothers and/or grandparents.  Some popular choices for

prelude music are:

• Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring -- J.S. Bach
• Sheep May Safely Graze -- J.S. Bach
• My Spirit Be Joyful -- J.S. Bach
• Air on the G String -- J.S. Bach
• Ode to Joy – Ludwig van Beethoven
• To a Wild Rose – Edward MacDowell
• Low How a Rose E’er Blooming – Johannes Brahms
• Voluntary on Old 100^th – Henry Purcell

The Processional starts with the entrance of the wedding party. Usually, the

ushers lead the procession, followed by the bridesmaids, maid of honor, the ring

bearer, and the flower girl. This portion of the ceremony is often suited to the

keyboard player because of its length and subdued character. It is usually best

to reserve the brass quintet until the entrance of the bride to add an increase

in volume and majesty appropriate to her procession down the aisle, although for

particularly long processionals, the organ and Quintet can alternate selections. 

The music will have a clearly audible cadence so that it is easy for your attendants

to keep time while walking. The music for the processional will often begin softly,

and gradually increase in volume leading up to the bride's entrance. Some popular

choices for the processional are:

• Canon in D – Johann Pachelbel
• Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring -- J.S. Bach
• Sheep May Safely Graze -- J.S. Bach

The Bridal Procession is often preceded with a very brief fanfare to help

announce the entrance of the bride, and focus the audience’s attention to the

back of the church.   The Bridal Procession is marked by a dramatic increase

in volume and pomp provided by the Festival City Symphony Brass Quintet.

Often, the brass quintet can be augmented by the organ at full volume. Your

guests should have no trouble recognizing the bride's entrance by the grandeur

of the music selected. The bride should be prepared to take her time making

her way down the aisle… the full effect of the music adding to what is always

a spectacular moment!  Some popular choices for the Bridal Procession are:

• Prince of Denmark’s March – Jeremiah Clarke
• Trumpet Voluntary – Henry Purcell
• Trumpet Voluntary – Jeremiah Clarke
• Wedding March – Felix Mendelssohn
• Bridal Chorus (Wedding March) – Richard Wagner
• Prelude to the Te Deum – Marc Antoine Charpentier

Ceremonial Music may be played during the ceremony. This is

usually best provided by a vocal soloist and piano or organ, although

the brass quintet can also perform the selections.  The music can

provide a short interlude before a reading, or ambience during the

lighting of the unity candle or ring ceremony. These selections will

typically have a slow tempo and be played softly. Some popular choices are:

• Ave Maria – Franz Schubert
• Panis Angelicus – Cesar Franck
• One Hand, One Heart – Leonard Bernstein
• Pie Jesu – Gabriel Faure