Julie E. A. Meinke (920) 725-3112 jmeinke (at) new.rr.com*

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Harp Music For Weddings:

Pre-Ceremony Music

Soft background music performed while guests are being seated.  If you do not have particular requests for this music, select a category of music you would like performed (for example, light classical music or romantic love songs).

Processional Music

Begins when the officiate and the groom approach the altar.  The bridesmaids (along with the groomsmen who may join them) continue to walk to this selection.  Traditionally, this is a majestic piece played at a pace that is easy to walk to.  For non-traditional weddings or smaller wedding parties, this selection need not have a majestic sound, but should retain an easy walking tempo.  This piece ends when the entire wedding party reaches the altar.

The Bride's/Bridesmaids Entrance to the Processional

Traditionally, the bride enters to fanfare music that announces her arrival (most often "Here Comes The Bride!", which is correctly known as Wagner's wedding march from his opera "Loehengrin").  Again, for non-traditional or small weddings other music may be chosen to suit the bride's taste, as long as it sounds good played at an easy walking pace.  This piece ends when the bride reaches the altar.  When there are no other bridesmaids, other than the maid or matron of honor, the bride sometimes elects to enter to the same piece of music as the maid or matron of honor.

Recessional Music

A triumphant, almost quickly-paced piece played as the newlyweds walk up the aisle as husband and wife, followed by the wedding party.

Post-Ceremony Music

Lively selections played as guests file out.  As with pre-ceremony music, if you do not have particular requests, choose the category of selections you would like performed.

Optional Music Selections

Before the ceremony, you may choose a particular selection for the seating of the mothers and grandparents.  This is usually a request that is a favorite of those being seated.

During the ceremony, you may wish to select special pieces to be performed during the lighting of the unity candle, communion or poetry reading.  These selections should hold special significance to the bride and groom, as all guests are actively listening.  Keep in mind, additional readings and music added between ceremony activities tend to lengthen the ceremony.

Some couples request music performed lightly as background during the entire ceremony or during the exchange of vows.  If you wish to do this, one piece is selected to be performed, and it should be a melody which is meaningful to the bride and groom.  (This is not traditionally done.)

Important Note:  Check with your officiate (minister, rabbi, priest, etc.) before making musical selections.  Some faiths, houses of worship or officiates do not allow secular (non-religious) music or particular selections.  In addition, some will not permit music to be performed during the exchange of vows or as background behind the entire ceremony.

Please fill out the form below so that we may communicate in regard to your ceremony:

Deposit:

A deposit of $150 is required for booking.  Balance of fee is due at the conclusion of my participation.

Specific Music To Be Played:  

Not all music in print is suitable to be played on a solo harp.  If you have something special in mind, I will try to honor your request.  You may also request that I accompany some hymns-I may already have some "harp-able" arrangements of what you may select.  We should discuss the selections as soon as possible to coordinate your needs versus the versatility of a harp playing keyboard arrangements of your choice.  A solo harp leading hymn singing is hard to hear, so consider having the harp play with the organ, or use the organ alone.

Arrival:

I will arrive early to tune my harp and set up.  Adequate lighting for reading is necessary in the area where I will be playing, and a nearby electrical outlet for my music lamp and sound system which will accept a 3-prong surge protector for my needs.  No recording for any purpose, and no flash photography during my playing please.  Arrangements for pictures can be made.

Parking:

Parking at the event site close to the loading zone area must be provided.  If event parking is not free, the Client assumes the cost of the harpist's parking.  A loading zone close to the venue entrance must be provided during the loading and unloading process.

Thank-You!

Webmaster: Pat@Alternativemidi.com

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