Church singer/violinist

Athena_A

Hi everyone.  Our wedding is November 18th and we're fully focused on getting music sorted at the moment.  We decided on a church wedding and need someone to sing or play music at the church (in Quilty,co Clare). I don't want to go overboard in costs on this aspect, but I don't want to just put a radio down and play music either.  I'd love a violinist, I used to play myself and still love the instrument.  I'm a bit geeky and I'd love to incorporate some of that here and there in the wedding, e.g. I'd love one of the songs from Lord of the Rings for the church ceremony, they're classical and some would suit so well for romantic moments.  A singer would be nice too if I can't find a violinist.  Anyone out there know anyone in the Clare region?  Thanks !

marialouise

You could try Claire Heffernan or Aoife O'Neill who both sing and can accompany themselves so would be cheaper than two separate musicians. They should be able to recommend violinists who they work with then. The Nova Quartet are based in Limerick and again, even if they're not available they might recommend someone who might be. Violin on its own can sound a bit lonely but some players do a great job also - Mary McCague might be worth looking into as she can play piano and violin so could mix and match through the ceremony.

Athena_A

Thanks for the info MariaLouise!

Mrs OBumble

Athena_A wrote: »

e.g. I'd love one of the songs from Lord of the Rings for the church ceremony, they're classical and some would suit so well for romantic moments.  

Check this with the priest / minister / whoever you're having.

If it's a Catholic church, then technically music with secular associations isn't appropriate. (The fact that's it's classical is irrelevant - so is Carmina Burana!) But different priests apply these rules with different levels of rigour.

marialouise

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Athena_A wrote: »

e.g. I'd love one of the songs from Lord of the Rings for the church ceremony, they're classical and some would suit so well for romantic moments.  

Check this with the priest / minister / whoever you're having.  

If it's a Catholic church, then technically music with secular associations isn't appropriate.   (The fact that's it's classical is irrelevant - so is Carmina Burana!)   But different priests apply these rules with different levels of rigour.

Have played a tune from Lord of the Rings at about 50 weddings myself, most priests are fine with it! Do double check, but you're more likely to get away with more popular stuff if it's instrumental and not sung.

RedXIV

Not a violinist but we had Ann Tuite sing and play at our wedding and she was BRILLIANT.

We got to meet her well before the wedding, and she gave us so much practical advice for the day, she's fantastic at guiding you through the areas that need music AND she was able to incorporate some of our tastes into the music. (Herself got a bit of Ed Sheeran in there and I got a theme song from one of the Final Fantasy games). Very talented and amazing voice.

Athena_A

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Athena_A wrote: »

e.g. I'd love one of the songs from Lord of the Rings for the church ceremony, they're classical and some would suit so well for romantic moments.  

Check this with the priest / minister / whoever you're having.  

If it's a Catholic church, then technically music with secular associations isn't appropriate.   (The fact that's it's classical is irrelevant - so is Carmina Burana!)   But different priests apply these rules with different levels of rigour.

I don't think most priests are that strict.  I've only been to one Irish wedding (I'm from Belgium) and there were plenty of non religious songs during the ceremony.  The weddings, and funerals as well for that matter, I've been to in Belgium all had non-religious songs incorporated in it as well.  Most priest that are not too old-fashioned won't mind that much I'd say, as long as it's not something crazy. 
Our priest is quite young as priests go so I doubt he'll mind, I'll ask though!

marialouise

Athena_A wrote: »

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Athena_A wrote: »

e.g. I'd love one of the songs from Lord of the Rings for the church ceremony, they're classical and some would suit so well for romantic moments.  

Check this with the priest / minister / whoever you're having.  

If it's a Catholic church, then technically music with secular associations isn't appropriate.   (The fact that's it's classical is irrelevant - so is Carmina Burana!)   But different priests apply these rules with different levels of rigour.

I don't think most priests are that strict.  I've only been to one Irish wedding (I'm from Belgium) and there were plenty of non religious songs during the ceremony.  The weddings, and funerals as well for that matter, I've been to in Belgium all had non-religious songs incorporated in it as well.  Most priest that are not too old-fashioned won't mind that much I'd say, as long as it's not something crazy. 
Our priest is quite young as priests go so I doubt he'll mind, I'll ask though!

Played in Quilty this summer (not sure if the same priest) and just checked the list and we had 2 religious numbers, 1 classical and 9 modern (Coldplay, Michael Jackson, Journey) so if it's the same priest you'll be fine  
Also fun fact, I'm Irish living in Belgium :P  Haven't been to a wedding here yet though!

Athena_A

marialouise wrote: »

Athena_A wrote: »

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Athena_A wrote: »

e.g. I'd love one of the songs from Lord of the Rings for the church ceremony, they're classical and some would suit so well for romantic moments.  

Check this with the priest / minister / whoever you're having.  

If it's a Catholic church, then technically music with secular associations isn't appropriate.   (The fact that's it's classical is irrelevant - so is Carmina Burana!)   But different priests apply these rules with different levels of rigour.

I don't think most priests are that strict.  I've only been to one Irish wedding (I'm from Belgium) and there were plenty of non religious songs during the ceremony.  The weddings, and funerals as well for that matter, I've been to in Belgium all had non-religious songs incorporated in it as well.  Most priest that are not too old-fashioned won't mind that much I'd say, as long as it's not something crazy. 
Our priest is quite young as priests go so I doubt he'll mind, I'll ask though!

Played in Quilty this summer (not sure if the same priest) and just checked the list and we had 2 religious numbers, 1 classical and 9 modern (Coldplay, Michael Jackson, Journey) so if it's the same priest you'll be fine  
Also fun fact, I'm Irish living in Belgium :P  Haven't been to a wedding here yet though!

It's probably the same priest, Fr Anthony! He seems pretty easy going.  And hah small world, there are a surprisingly large number of Irish people in Belgium.  I worked at the Irish embassy in Brussels for 6 years and there's about 15'000!  Weddings here are a bit different in some ways.  We never do bands, the speeches aren't a thing either (maybe a quick toast by the groom/bride) and there's always an open bar.  Wine is also less expensive !

Big Bag of Chips

I think during the religious ceremony itself many priests prefer to keep to the more traditionally religious music. Once the religious ceremony is over and you're onto the signing of the register it's a free for all.

Talk to the priest. Your musician will most likely know the routine too.

Athena_A

Big Bag of Chips wrote: »

I think during the religious ceremony itself many priests prefer to keep to the more traditionally religious music. Once the religious ceremony is over and you're onto the signing of the register it's a free for all.

Talk to the priest. Your musician will most likely know the routine too.

Yes, during the communion and hallelujah part we'll go for something more traditionally religious.  It's mainly at the very beginning when I enter and at the end that I'd choose more personal music, and we're free to choose then.  I've contacted Mary McCague and got a quote of 350 euro, which is high enough for 1 person, but she's so good and Cork is a 2.5 hour drive.  I'm still doubting as I'm trying to keep costs low, but I'm pretty attached to the idea of having a violinist and there's not that many around (classically trained anyway).

Big Bag of Chips

I'm going to make a broad sweeping generalisation, but I'd assume that in Clare you'd have no shortage of musicians! Would it be worth posting in the Clare section of Boards to get some suggestions. Even Galway would be close enough to not be a 2.5 hour drive.

Athena_A

Big Bag of Chips wrote: »

I'm going to make a broad sweeping generalisation, but I'd assume that in Clare you'd have no shortage of musicians! Would it be worth posting in the Clare section of Boards to get some suggestions. Even Galway would be close enough to not be a 2.5 hour drive.

I thought so too, but everyone I asked from there didn't know anyone! And Google wasn't much of a help either!  Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try that, you'd think there'd be at least a couple of violinists in the Clare region who are able to play classic tunes.

Mrs OBumble

Athena_A wrote: »

I thought so too, but everyone I asked from there didn't know anyone! And Google wasn't much of a help either!  Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try that, you'd think there'd be at least a couple of violinists in the Clare region who are able to play classic tunes.

Hint: a violin is simply a fiddle with a posh accent. Try asking for fiddle players who also play classical and you may get more suggestions.

Big Bag of Chips

Most good/professional/interested musicians will be able to play all types of music. There's a "violin" player in my area who also plays the "fiddle"!

Athena_A

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Athena_A wrote: »

I thought so too, but everyone I asked from there didn't know anyone! And Google wasn't much of a help either!  Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try that, you'd think there'd be at least a couple of violinists in the Clare region who are able to play classic tunes.

Hint:  a violin is simply a fiddle with a posh accent.   Try asking for fiddle players who also play classical and you may get more suggestions.

I'll see if I can find anything online, but I keep getting Mary McCague as one of the highest results so I'm afraid it's not easy to find.  Singers always seem to mention they know violinists or other musicians who can accompany them but who are these mysterious people, do they just not play solo?  I may just cave and pay the 350 euro for Mary as I don't have the patience to deal with the search hassle .

marialouise

Athena_A wrote: »

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Athena_A wrote: »

I thought so too, but everyone I asked from there didn't know anyone! And Google wasn't much of a help either!  Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try that, you'd think there'd be at least a couple of violinists in the Clare region who are able to play classic tunes.

Hint:  a violin is simply a fiddle with a posh accent.   Try asking for fiddle players who also play classical and you may get more suggestions.

I'll see if I can find anything online, but I keep getting Mary McCague as one of the highest results so I'm afraid it's not easy to find.  Singers always seem to mention they know violinists or other musicians who can accompany them but who are these mysterious people, do they just not play solo?  I may just cave and pay the 350 euro for Mary as I don't have the patience to deal with the search hassle .

There are certainly more musicians than those you'd find online, some people just get work by word of mouth, or might be the violin player from a string quartet whose name you did see online. Many violinists from those kind of groups wouldn't just play solo which is why I recommended Mary because I know that she does. I can give you names of other fiddle/violin players who are very experienced too (from Cork/Limerick) but don't know what they charge or if they're free for your date etc so you'll still end up doing some research. Mary is great though and will take all the hassle out of planning for you, you might end up planning a bit more with someone less experienced, she'll just take care of the music for you. I'll send you a pm with other names if you like!

Big Bag of Chips

Have you asked the priest? The hotel? The florist?! The band? They'd all be in the business and in the know as to who to ask. I would think it crazy to pay someone to travel 5 hours to play music for an hour. Unless it was a friend or family member or someone who held sentimental value for you then talented, experienced musicians really are plentiful all over the country! I'd find it very difficult to justify paying over my budget for a musician to travel from Cork to Clare.

AoifeCork

If you're still looking OP I know lots of violinists around the country who might be of help. I'm a church musician myself.
Mary McCague is by far the best violinist you could possibly get (and an absolute lady to boot) but if you're budget conscious then give me a holler.

Athena_A

AoifeCork wrote: »

If you're still looking OP I know lots of violinists around the country who might be of help. I'm a church musician myself.
Mary McCague is by far the best violinist you could possibly get (and an absolute lady to boot) but if you're budget conscious then give me a holler.

Hi Aoife, thank you for offering to help.  I sent you a PM but not sure if you got it, my laptop doesn't seem to want to cooperate with boards and PM messages don't seem to send well.