Music creates an atmosphere of praise during a Catholic ceremony

Friday, May. 23, 2014

SALT LAKE CITY — When we think of wedding music, we often think of “The Wedding March,” but “Here Comes the Bride” should not be played during a Catholic wedding procession, it should be heard on the way to the bridal chamber. 

“Our Catholic faith is steeped in tradition and ritual, yet many times what we see or hear on television and in movies shape our image of how a wedding should look,” said Ruth Dillon, director of the Office of Music and Liturgy in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

In planning the music for a wedding, it works out well when the wedding couple meets with a priest or the music minister early and without already having settled on what they must have at their wedding; when they are open to suggestions, said Christopher Huntzinger, Saint Ambrose Parish Music and Liturgy director. 

“What the couple wants may not even be possible. … The couple’s ideas may not be in line with what the Catholic Church allows,” he pointed out.

The choices in music differ for a Mass and a nuptial rite. Both sacraments will have the prelude and the processional, but the nuptial will have just the Liturgy of the Word, the Rite of Marriage and the nuptial blessing, said Huntzinger. 

“With the Mass there are more opportunities for music,” he said. “There is the preparation of the gifts and Communion; however, couples have to go with the music setting of the parish for the Lamb of God; the Holy, Holy, and the Amen that the parish uses for a Sunday liturgy on a regular basis.

“Music is very complex and there are so many different parishes in the diocese that can offer so many different things,” said Huntzinger. “There is a lot of wedding music that is offered that the majority of people don’t know about. There are some beautiful hymns that the congregation could participate in; there are options for a processional hymn versus an instrumental piece. There are many different ways that have a lot of different feels. The hymn is directed toward God, whereas the instrumental piece accompanies the people and the procession.” 

It is also appropriate to offer a stipend to the musicians because it is above and beyond the call of their ministry, said Huntzinger. “They volunteer to provide music for weddings; they are wonderful events.”

Lena Barkey is a cantor at St. Ambrose Parish and often sings at weddings. “My part comes in when we pray the psalms and the Gospel verse and if there is an offertory hymn,” said Barkey. “When I sing at a wedding, especially those parts, I’m singing for a sacrament, so hopefully I deliver it in a fashion, or proclaim the text musically, for the future of their marriage and their life. It is like receiving the Eucharist, it is something they will take with them.”

All secular love songs have to be played outside of the actual marriage rite itself, possibly the reception, Huntzinger said.

Rich Valdez has been a musician for more than 35 years and a disk jockey for 10 years and has played for many wedding receptions, he said. He is a member of Saint Patrick Parish in Salt Lake City. 

For wedding receptions, which often last for several hours, couples should ask a DJ what type of music he has “so they get the type they want and are satisfied,” said Valdez, who has a library of all kinds of music. “A DJ can most likely play the couple’s music if they bring their own CDs on his sound system,” he said. “I can also play vinyl records through my system, for example, for a father-daughter dance.”

A DJ also needs to know whether the reception will be held indoors or outside, so he can bring the proper sound system and electrical wiring. It is also important to know if there will be dancing or just a steady stream of music, said Valdez.