Music for the Wedding Liturgy

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St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption
Covington, Kentucky 
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To inquire about reserving the

Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption

For your Wedding

contact: 

Trisha Brundage

Cathedral Office (859) 431-2060  

tbrundage@covcathedral.com

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Prior to sending in any deposit or request,

Couples should meet with the Cathedral Rector 

and familiarize themselves with the

RITE OF MARRIAGE GUIDELINES
CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF THE ASSUMPTION
Guidelines found here
 

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MUSIC POLICY

The Marriage Rite is a Sacrament of the Church, and music for this

occasion should properly reflect the sacred Liturgy. 

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From the Basilica Wedding Guidelines Book

"13. Music is an important element of all weddings celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. Careful attention to the choice of music (as well as the Scripture readings and liturgical prayers)

will enhance this sacred celebration not only for the two of you,

but for all who witness your marriage vows.

This enables everyone to participate in a focused and spiritual manner

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"Any function of organist and cantor will be provided

by Cathedral Music Staff. The role of cantor is

to lead and assist the assembly in singing.

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PLEASE DO NOT ENGAGE OR PAY FOR OUTSIDE MUSICAL SERVICES

Without obtaining approval from the music director.

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One guest musician or vocalist may be permitted to

sing (1 or 2 pieces), with approval of the music director.

The Cathedral Cantor sings all Mass parts at all weddings

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"17. The church wedding is a sacred rite invoking the blessing of God

on the union of bride and groom. Any music used in

connection with this ceremony must mirror the dignity of the

Cathedral and the sanctity of the sacrament being celebrated.

Wherever music is employed, and by whatever instruments or voices,

it must reflect the festive yet reverent nature of the liturgy.

 

"18. The music and texts selected should express the praise of God,

God's love in Christ as the foundation and model for marriage,

or the asking of God's presence and blessing.

For these reasons, music from the operatic stage,

secular theater or popular culture is not permitted.

The music staff of the Cathedral will assist you

in every way toward fulfilling these guidelines as you

select the music for your wedding.

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Deposit Letter and Fee Schedule

Music and instrumentalist fees are described in the Letter of Welcome.

 

The Cathedral Cantor is required for a full Mass.

A simple "Organ-only" format is available for a Liturgy of the Word.

(See fee schedule)

Solo instrumentalists are engaged by the Cathedral Organist.
A String Quartet or groups are engaged and compensated

separately by the couple.

The preferred string group is listed below.

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~  Guest Organist and Cantor/Soloist Policy  ~

EFFECTIVE APRIL 15, 2019

Cathedral Basilica staff and Cathedral musicians

are the musicians for all Cathedral Weddings.

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By making a deposit for the wedding date, you have agreed

to the music and musician policy for your wedding at the

Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption
 

After your music choices and musicians are approved, 

the programs may be printed, and any other arrangements

for music finalized. Consultation may be arranged conveniently

either by email, by phone, or at the Cathedral Basilica by appointment.
 

Deposit Letter

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Music Selection Form 

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Example ~ Wedding Music Lineup

 

 

 

Below is a partial list of music titles.

Several Recordings** can be found below the list.

Any YouTube performances are examples,

and not performed by the Basilica musicians

Suggestions are listed on your Music Selection Form

 

Vocal Selections

Ave Maria ~ Schubert **

Ave Maria ~ Bach-Gounod

Ave Maria ~ Abt 

Ave Maria ~ Gregorian Chant

Ave Verum Corpus ~ Mozart **

Be Thou My Vision ~ Irish melody (Slane)

Be Thou with Them ~ J.S. Bach 

Bridal Prayer ~ Copeland **
Come, Thou Font of Every Blessing ~ Nettleton
Deep Peace of Christ to You ~ Rutter **
Dulcis Christe ~ Grancini **
Ephesian Prayer ~ Marchionda **
Gaelic Blessing ~ Traditional Irish Melody **

Gift of Love ~ Hopson **
Hail Mary, Gentle Woman ~ Landry
How Beautiful ~ Paris
How Can I Keep from Singing ~ Lowry **
I Have Loved You ~ Joncas 
In Love We Choose to Live ~ Cotter (YouTube link)
In This Very Room ~ Harris 
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring ~ Bach **
(The) King of Love, My Shepherd Is ~ St. Columba 
Lady of Knock ~ Irish traditional 
Let There Be Peace on Earth ~ Miller/Jackson 

(The) Lord's Prayer ~ Henry Malotte (Prelude only)
May the Lord of Love Bless You ~ Robert Schaffer **
Panis Angelicus ~ Franck 
Prayer of St. Francis ~ Temple
Sheep May Safely Graze ~ Bach 
Simple Gifts ~ Shaker Melody **
The Call ~ Vaughan-Williams 
The Lord Bless and Keep You ~ Luckin 
The Prayer ~ Sager/Foster (Prelude only)
These Two Now Joined ~ Robert Schaffer **
You ar Mine ~ Haas

 

Organ and Instrumental 

Festive Processionals and Recessionals 

Hornpipe ~ Händel **
La Rejouissance (Royal Fireworks) ~ Händel **
Now Thank We All Our God ~ Traditional German 
Ode to Joy ~ Beethoven 
Rigaudon ~ Campra **
Rondeau ~ Mouret **
Symphonie de Noël ~ Delalande **
Te Deum ~ Charpentier 
The Heavens Declare the Glory of God ~ Marcello 
Trumpet March ~ Lully  
Trumpet Tune ~ Purcell 
Trumpet March ~ Clarke 
Trumpet Voluntary ~ Clarke 
Air from Water Music~ Händel
Wedding March ~ Mendelssohn

 

Other Instrumental Repertoire 

Adagio for Strings ~ Barber 

Air ~ Bach

Bist du bei mir ~ Bach 

Canon in D Major ~ Pachelbel 

Chacone ~ Couperin 

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring ~ Bach (can be instumental)

Jupiter Chorale (The Planets) ~ "O God, Beyond All Praising"

La Grace ~ Telemann  
Selections from Water Music ~ Händel

Sheep May Safely Graze ~ Bach 
Sinfonia ~ Clarke

 

Familiar Tunes and Ethnic Melodies 

Holy Manna ~ Traditional Kentucky Melody 
O Beautiful, for Spacious Skies (Materna) ~ Traditional American Melody 
Simple Gifts ~ Traditional American Melody 
Slane (Lord of All Hopefulness) ~ Traditional Irish Melody 
O Waly, Waly (The Gift of Love) ~ Traditional Welsh Melody 
Now Thank We All Our God ~ Traditional German Melody 
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow ~ Doxology

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String Quartet Optional

Below is the String Quartet recommendation for the

Basilica Wedding. This competent and talented group 

has performed at many weddings in the Basilica,

and works well with our parish musicians.

The couple is responsible for engaging and compensating String Quartet.

Exact rates are available from the quartet directors. 

Rachel Lee Quartet

513-604-5681

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Hawthorne String Quartet