The Music

PCPC

Music for your wedding ceremony

The Music and Arts Ministry of Park Cities Presbyterian Church extends congratulations and best wishes to you both on your upcoming wedding.

It is our sincere desire that the music at your wedding function as a window through which you and your guests may catch a glimpse of the grace, love, and peace of our Creator God. Therefore, we invite you to take time to look over the proposed Order of Service and to consider seriously the musical portions of your service.

Enclosed are some suggestions and guidelines, which you may find helpful. Most of the music on the repertoire lists is available on Compact Disc. However, the Organist/Music Assistant will be glad to play any of the listed selections you want to hear and to discuss other possibilities with you.

We are available to guide you in any way that may be required and give you the very finest expertise of which we are capable.

The Music and Arts Ministry
Park Cities Presbyterian Church

Selecting Your Organ and Instrumental Music

Factors that may determine the choices in music for weddings:

  • Budget
  • Personal taste
  • Available musicians
  • Guidelines suggested by the church

Wedding CD track listings

Festive Selections for the Bride or Bridesmaids

  • Introduction
  • Trumpet Voluntary (Prince of Denmark’s March) — Jeremiah Clarke*
  • Trumpet Tune in D — Henry Purcell*
  • Prelude from Te Deum — Marc Charpentier*
  • Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin — Richard Wagner*
  • Overture to Fireworks Music — G.F. Handel*
  • Rigaudon — Andre Campra*
  • The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune — Ralph Vaughan Williams*
  • Trumpet Tune in D — David Johnson*

Softer Pieces for the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

  • Canon in D — Johann Pachelbel*
  • Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring — J.S. Bach*
  • Sheep May Safely Graze — J.S. Bach*
  • O God Beyond All Praising — Gustav Holst*
  • Air from Suite in D — J.S. Bach*
  • Arioso — J.S. Bach*
  • Air from Water Music — G.F. Handel*
  • Aria from Concerto Grosso No. 12 — G.F. Handel*

Recessional Pieces

  • Introduction
  • Hornpipe from Water Music*
  • Sinfonia from Cantata 29, We Thank Thee, God — J.S. Bach*
  • Now Thank We All Our God — Sigfried Karg-Elert
  • Now Thank We All Our God — J.S. Bach
  • Toccata from Symphony No. 5 — Charles-Marie Widor
  • Wedding March - Felix Mendelssohn
  • Praise the Lord with Drums and Cymbals — Sigfried Karg-Elert
  • Final from Symphony No. 1 — Louis Vierne
  • Final from Symphony No. 2 — Charles-Marie Widor
  • Allegro from Sonata No. 2 — Felix Mendelssohn

Pieces suitable for processional or recessional

  • Trumpet Tune in D — David German*
  • Trumpet Voluntary — John Stanley*
  • Fanfare — William Matthias

**indicates that instrumental arrangements are available*

Some General Guidelines Concerning Vocal Music

The Ceremony of Marriage is a service of Worship. Therefore, the texts of solos and hymns should reflect the following:

  • Commitment
  • Christian service
  • Biblical understanding of the Church as the Bride of Christ and our responsibility under that doctrine.
  • Edifying and uplifting the name of our Creator.
  • There are contemporary Christian songs that do not express the depth and significance of Christian marriage, so be careful.
  • Two or three solos are appropriate while none are needed, if desired.
  • Congregational hymn singing is encouraged.
  • We encourage everyone to find qualified soloists for their wedding. Please be very careful when making requests, especially where close friendships are concerned. We have numerous excellent soloists available and the Organist/Music Assistant will gladly give you suggestions and guidance.
  • Please bear in mind that we do not permit recorded accompaniment tracks. Tracks are often of poor audio quality and volume levels may vary and they must also be accurately cued. Most disconcerting of all are the occasional instances when the tape malfunctions and/or the soloist gets lost! Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and we do not wish to have it marred by unfortunate occurrences.
  • Pray with your future spouse concerning the true meaning of the ceremony. A well-planned wedding will serve as a witness and reminder to all present of their commitment. Do not seek to entertain your guests. The content of your wedding service will speak volumes about your own commitment to God and to one another.

Hymn Books Available for Wedding Services

Sanctuary Weddings use:
Trinity Hymnal
Great Commission Publications, 1994.

Chapel Weddings use:
Trinity Hymnal
Great Commission Publications, 1994.