---- Date ----

Dear _______________,

The following is my more or less “standard” email about the wedding music. Each wedding is its own
creation, and my goal is to make the wedding ceremony a joyous and genuine expression of God’s love
and our sharing of it with each other.

First Presbyterian Church of Napa is blessed to have a fine 1960 Austin pipe organ. The organ actually
speaks behind the wooden screen up in front of the chancel. The organ console (where I play) is over
next to the north wall, next to the choir pews. We also have a very nice Kawai grand piano, which is
more appropriate for some repertoire. I frequently work with singers, soloists, and instrumentalists and
try to be as flexible as possible with respect to the music – traditional, contemporary, whatever.

During the ceremony there are opportunities for singing or instrumental solos. I can refer local singers
and instrumentalists if you wish.

Here are some ideas for the organ music.

Prelude

For prelude I usually play a series of organ pieces starting about 30 minutes before the wedding's official
time. Of course if the guests are outside, I’ll wait until they start entering the chapel. I usually try to do a
varied program of classical and sacred music, alternating faster pieces with slower ones, generally major
keys and not somber! Here are pieces I frequently play at weddings:

Archer - Cantilene
Bach - Arioso
Bach - Air from Suite in D
Bach - Sinfonia from Cantata #29
Bach - Liebster Jesu, Wir Sind Hier
Bach - Sheep May Safely Graze
Bach - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Bach/Gounod - Ave Maria
Franck - Panis Angelicus
Handel - Suite from "Water Music"
Handel - Largo from "Xerxes"
Handel - Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Jongen - Chant de Mai
Marcello - "Psalm 19"
Peeters- Aria
Vaughan Williams - Rhosymedre
Vierne - Carillon du Longpont
Vierne - Berceuse
Vierne - Lied
Vivaldi - Largo

Seating of parents or other honored guests

Typically there is a special piece played for seating of parents, grandparents or other specially honored
guests. It is typically one of the pieces listed above - the Vaughan Williams "Rhosymedre" is one of my
favorites. Bach’s “Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring” is also popular.

Processional

Depending on the size of the wedding party we sometimes have two processionals: one for the wedding
party and one for the bride. It's nice to have two pieces so there's a dramatic signal that all should rise
for the entrance of the bride. Processionals include:

Pachelbel - Canon in D
Purcell - Trumpet Tune
Clarke - Prince of Denmark's March (formerly known as Purcell Trumpet Voluntary)
Stanley- Trumpet Voluntary
Wagner - Bridal March from "Lohengrin" (traditional "Here comes the bride..." wedding march)

Recessional

The recessional is played at the end of the wedding ceremony, providing a joyous musical cover for the
departure from the chapel. Here are some popular wedding recessionals:

Handel - Allegro Maestoso from "Water Music"

Handel - Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Mendelssohn - Bridal March from "Midsummer Night's Dream" (traditional recessional)
Mouret - Rondeau
Purcell - Trumpet Tune
Vierne - Carillon du Longpont
Widor - Toccata from Symphony #5

My personal favorite is the Widor Toccata, which I can play from memory.

If you have any suggestions or requests, feel free to send them my way. I am happy to work with you on
your choices for the wedding music. Please feel free to call me to discuss.

Best wishes and I look forward to working with you for a joyous wedding!

Tom Flesher