Complete Wedding Music Service for Middle Tennessee
Going to the Chapel Wedding Musicians offers 6 music packages. If you choose the package that includes an in-person consultation session, we will schedule a meeting at the organ or piano to audition pieces from my repertoire. Otherwise you may listen to recordings and inform me of your choices by phone or email. Couples frequently elect to have me choose their music. The couple can greatly assist the process prior to the consultation by listening to and identifying the style of music which most appeals to their tastes. Specific composers (like "Bach/Gounod") and periods (like "Romantic") and names of works (such as "Ave Maria") will greatly aid the organist and make the consultation session more productive. See Repertoire for suggested pieces with sound samples. You may also bring sheet music of favorite songs, tapes, or programs from other weddings when we meet. If you are having your ceremony in church, use discretion when requesting love songs and other secular music, keeping in mind the sacred nature of the event and place. Your minister or wedding coordinator might offer guidance on this subject as well. Rules defining restrictions vary from church to church, so ultimately these decisions should be made in conjunction with the officiating minister. If your ceremony is at a mansion, country club, garden, etc.—or simply less religious in tone—I'm very open to non-traditional styles of music.
Rehearsal
Brides often ask me if I think attending their rehearsal is essential. Of course I understand the desire to save a few dollars, but this may not be the best corner to cut! The bridesmaids' processional, bridal march, and recessional are very important to walk through in real time. This familiarizes everyone with their musical cues and allows me to time the specific events and determine how many measures to play or whether repeats are necessary. Your wedding coordinator should also be aware of the tunes being used for such things as the seating of the mothers and the assembling of the groomsmen at the altar. Practicing entrances and exits at the rehearsal always makes for a smoother ceremony!
Wedding Link List
- Suggested Listening for Brides and Grooms - Wedding Music CDs
- Recommended CDs for Weddings from Amazon - most with sound samples
- Going to the Chapel
- Going to the Chapel Wedding Musicians is directed by organist and pianist James Weinberg, who works with top talent in Nashville to create made-to-order ensembles for middle Tennessee ceremonies and receptions.
- Nashville Celtic Weddings
- Organist and pianist James Weinberg works with top talent in Nashville to create whatever type of Scottish or Irish ensemble you desire for your middle Tennessee ceremony and reception. Specializing in organ and bagpipes at Wightman Chapel.
Wedding Repertoire of James Weinberg
Pre-Service (Preludes)Air from Water Music...George Frederick Handel
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring...Johann Sebastien Bach
Ave Maria...Bach/Gounod
Ave Maria...Franz Schubert
Love Divine...Pritchard/Wilson
Canon in D...Johann Pachelbel
The Gift of Love...arr. Hal Hopson
Sonata in A...Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
El Shaddai...Michael Card
Pass It On...Kaiser/Hayes
Spring from The Four Seasons...Antonio Vivaldi
How Majestic is Thy Name...Michael W. Smith
In My Life...Lennon/McCartney
Bless the Broken Road...Marcus Hummon
Your Everything...Keith Urban
I Melt...Rascal Flatts
You Raise Me Up...Graham & Lovland
I Will Be Here...Steven Curtis Chapman
Processionals for Bridesmaids & Bride
Allegro Maestoso from Water Music...Handel
Prince of Denmark's March...Jeremiah Clarke
Hymne...Vangelis
Rondeau...Jean Joseph Mouret
Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin...Richard Wagner
Overture from Royal Fireworks...Handel
Highland Cathedral...Roever & Korb
Recessional Marches
Alleluia from Exsultate, Jubilate...Mozart
Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream...Felix Mendelssohn
Prelude in C...Pachelbel
The Rejoicing...Handel
Ode to Joy...Ludwig van Beethoven
The Wedding Song...Kenny G
Reception Music
Just the Way You Are...Billy Joel
All I Ask of You...Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Wind Beneath My Wings...Don Henley
The Windmills of Your Mind...Michel Legrande
Can You Read My Mind?...John Williams
Theme from Ice Castles...Marvin Hamlisch
I'll Still Be Loving You...Cerney/Rose
Arthur's Theme...Bacharach/Sager
We've Only Just Begun...Williams/Nichols
Annie's Song...John Denver
My Love...Paul McCartney
Longer...Dan Fogelberg
Evergreen...Barbara Streisand
Love Theme from Romeo & Juliet...Nino Rota
Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof...Jerry Bock
Here, There and Everywhere...Lennon/McCartney
Resume of James Weinberg
Music C.V. - Credentials
CHURCH EXPERIENCE- Church music leader and teacher for choirs/classes of all ages
- Conductor for youth and adult handbells, brass choir, chamber ensembles, recorder consort and Orff-Schulwerk group
- Versed in selection of anthems, hymns & responses in accordance with the lectionary
- Planning of special Advent/Christmas and Lenten/Easter services
- Direction of children's Vacation Bible School music program
- Implementation of pre-primary Sunday School music class
- Participation in nursing home outreach, sacred concerts, revivals,
cantatas, religious dramatic productions and fundraising productions
- Accompanist for vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles
- Composer of original works including choral/instrumental arrangements
- Proficient on electronic and pipe organ, acoustic and electric piano,
harpsichord and synthesizer
- Consultation and performance for weddings, receptions, and funerals
- Eclectic background: experienced in renewal styles, i.e., contemporary
praise, Taizé and "blended worship"
- Budget administration and maintenance of library and equipment
MUSIC-RELATED EMPLOYMENT
Choirmaster-Organist, July 2006-present
Holy Cross Anglican Church, Franklin, Tennessee
Piano, Organ & Theory Instructor, August 2000-present
Belmont Academy, Belmont University, Nashville, TN
Staff Organist/Keyboardist, April 2003-December 2005
Belmont Heights Baptist Church, Nashville TN
Choirmaster-Organist, June 1995-December 2002
Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Franklin, Tennessee
Choirmaster-Organist, 1992-1994
St. Matthias' Episcopal Church, Nashville, Tennessee
Teaching Assistant, 1989-1993
Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
Assistant Director of Music & Organist, 1988-1991
Andrew Price United Methodist Church, Donelson, Tennessee
Classical Radio Announcer/Producer, 1986-1990
WPLN-FM, Ben West Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee
Organist/Accompanist, 1985-1988
Forest Hills United Methodist Church, Brentwood, Tennessee
Choirmaster-Organist, 1981-1984
Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church, Nashville, Tennessee
EDUCATION
M. M. E., Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee - 1991 {3.9 GPA}
Organ Major with emphasis in Elementary Education & Methodology
B. M., Belmont College, Nashville, Tennessee - 1985 {cum laude}
Church Music Major: Organ Principal/Voice Secondary
You're Not Wearing Just "Any Old Gown"...
...So Don't Play Down the Ceremony Music!
I marvel at how selecting live music for one's ceremony often takes a back seat to choosing flowers, gowns and other physical elements. After years of watching brides during the planning stages, I've concluded they don't really mean to undervalue music, but often feel ignorant or intimidated. Don't worry-I won't go into a discourse on the Importance of Music here. Let me just say that well-chosen, well-played music keeps your guests entertained and moves everyone into place at the right time. It gets you in and out with an air of elegance and dignity. Even though it may seem fleeting and ephemeral, music is as concrete a presence at your ceremony as the candles and boutonnieres. When you play back your video for years to come, guess what's in the background? A soundtrack! Make it as much a priority as planning the other details.So what do you do when you don't know Mozart from Beethoven, and find it easier to buy matching gloves for the bridesmaids than select your wedding march? This is where a knowledgeable wedding coordinator and/or a music planner will be of great assistance. As you shop around, beware of sites or vendors who only focus on reception music. There's more to a wedding than the party afterwards! I know of one statewide association whose music page mentions nothing about the ceremony-only celebrating when it's over. In a similar vein, don't let a DJ talk you into doing your ceremony. Playing a CD in place of live music is like wearing blue jeans down the aisle.
Some musicians place restrictions on what is considered proper for ceremonies. This is an injustice to the client. That's why it's so important to communicate with musicians before hiring. Find out if he'll play "Evergreen" during the prelude. Ask if she can play the Widor "Toccata" for the postlude. View their websites. Contact their references. After you pick someone, you and your fiance should have your musician audition pieces from their repertoire, or may listen to recordings and inform them of your choices by phone or email. Couples frequently elect to have me choose their music, but I feel it's important for the music to have personal meaning. You can greatly assist the process prior to the consultation by listening to and identifying the style of music which most appeals to your tastes. Specific composers (like "Schubert") and periods (like "Romantic") and names of works (such as "Ave Maria") will greatly aid the organist and make the consultation session more productive. Many wedding music sites list suggested pieces with sound samples, so a bride doesn't have to take an Intro to Music course to make educated choices. In fact, you don't have to know anything about what you're listening to at all. The main criterion is that you like it! After all, it's a matter of taste, and it's your day. Visit websites like Amazon.com that sell CDs where you can search for wedding music and hear 30 second clips. I also encourage couples to bring sheet music of favorite songs, tapes, or programs from other weddings when we meet for a consultation.
If you are having your ceremony in a church, use discretion when requesting love songs and other secular music, keeping in mind the sacred nature of the event and place. Your minister or wedding coordinator might offer guidance on this subject as well. Rules defining restrictions vary from church to church, so ultimately these decisions should be made in conjunction with the officiating minister. If your ceremony is at a mansion, country club, garden, or is simply less religious in tone, find musicians who are open to non-traditional styles of music. Plan ahead. There has to be time for your musicians to obtain sheet music for specially requested songs, to work out arrangements, and to practice!
Stay in touch with your organist or music planner. If you have a wedding coordinator, make sure she keeps in contact with your musicians. One last word of advice: Take your rehearsal seriously. The walk-through of the bridesmaids' processional, bridal march, and recessional should be done in real time to give the organist or other performers a sense of exactly how much is required to get people from point A to point B. It also alerts the bridal party to their cues so everything runs smoothly.
James is choirmaster-organist at Holy Cross Anglican Church in Franklin TN near Nashville, and a freelance wedding music contractor. He is a current member of the American Guild of Organists {AGO} and a past member of the Tennessee Wedding and Events Specialists Association.
