Weddings
Thank you very much for sharing your very special gifts with all of us last night. You gave us deeply needed joy and relaxation. You are a consummate musician–full of light! –Pat Collins and Connor Kindig, New Jersey
I’ve been playing the hammered dulcimer for weddings since nine days into my dulcimer experience! I am prepared to provide music for all phases of your special day, on dulcimer, diatonic autoharp and/or recorders, alone or with support instrumentalists (guitar, piano, harpsichord, organ, violin, etc.).
Categories
Rehearsal dinner
Ceremony (in church or on location): Prelude Processional Short Interludes Solo/Duet Accompaniment Recessional
Cocktail Hour Reception
Shown below are the most popular picks for music, and I’m always interested in adding to the lists. In fact, I may already play something else you have in mind, or, with at least four weeks’ advance notice, it can be arranged! See my solo repertoire page, and be sure contact me about a piece you’d like apart from that list.
Rehearsal Dinner
Anything from Bach to bluegrass! Visit here for repertoire ideas, and be sure contact me about a piece you’d like.
Prelude Music
Most preludes last about 15 minutes, and I play several selections. Playing longer usually means that to an empty hall, unless your guests are big-time, music lovers, in which case you should definitely let me know!
Hammered Dulcimer Preludes
| Title | Composer |
|---|---|
| Amazing Grace | New Britain |
| Edelweiss ("The Sound of Music") | Rodgers and Hammerstein |
| The Frog Galliard (funny title, great piece!) | John Dowland |
| *Flute Clock Sonata, Set II, no. 2 | G. F. Handel |
| *Minuet in G | J. S. Bach |
| My Ain Hoose | Scottish waltz |
| Nan's Waltz | Pat Shaw |
| *Pastorale Symphony (Messiah) | G. F. Handel |
| Prelude (Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007) | J.S. Bach |
| *Ronde/Hupfauf (1556) | Tielman Susato |
| Sarabande | A. Corelli |
| Si bheag, si mohr | Turlough O’Carolan |
| *Silent Night | Franz Gruber |
| Wondrous Love | from The Southern Harmony, 1835 |
See also my solo repertoire list, or contact me about a piece you’d like.
diatonic autoharp Preludes
| Title | Composer |
|---|---|
| Am Buaichaille Ban (The Fair Shepherd) | Scottish |
| Amazing Grace | New Britain |
| Greensleeves | English |
| Minuet in G (different from that in the previous section) | J.S. Bach |
| Morning Has Broken | Bunessan |
| O’Carolan’s Concerto | T. O’Carolan |
| Planxty Fanny Power | T. O’Carolan |
| The Rose | Amanda McBroom |
| The Shepherd’s Wife | Scottish |
| Si bheag, si mohr | Turlough O’Carolan |
| Southwind | Traditonal |
See also my solo repertoire list, or contact me about a piece you’d like.
Processional (choose one)
Everyone needs to get into the ceremony space somehow! The most popular picks are:
| Title | Composer |
|---|---|
| Canon in D major (dulcimer w/ piano or guitar) | Johann Pachelbel |
| Gymnopedie No. 1 (dulcimer w/ piano or guitar) | Eric Satie |
| The Maid in the Moon (autoharp) | English country-dance tune |
| Princess Royal (one of 16 variants; for autoharp) | English country-dance tune |
| Robbie Robertson’s March (autoharp) | Lucille Reilly |
| Rigaudon (dulcimer with keyboard) | Henry Purcell |
| Trumpet Voluntary in D major (dulcimer) ♫ | Jeremiah Clarke |
See also my solo repertoire page, or contact me about a piece you’d like apart from that list.
Short Interludes
These are optional and relatively brief when needed, lasting 30-60 seconds before or after a prayer or the vows, during a candle ceremony, etc. A hymn or short folk tune is suitable, or I am able to improvise.
Solos or Duets with Dulcimer or Autoharp Accompaniment
Please mention your need for solo accompaniment when you contact me. Due to range/key limitations on both the dulcimer and diatonic autoharp, the key may have to be changed, or the piece may not be possible. I will do everything possible to make your choice(s) work!
| Title | Composer |
|---|---|
| Ave Maria (in G major, cp) | Charles Gounod |
| The Lord’s Prayer (in D major, cp) | A. H. Malotte |
| Sabbath Prayer (Fiddler on the Roof; in A minor, cp) | J. Bock |
| The Wedding Song (There Is Love; in G or D major, cp) | Paul Stookey |
| Pie Jesu (Requiem; in G major; SS, cp) | Andrew Lloyd Webber |
See also my solo repertoire list, or contact me about a piece you’d like apart from that list.
Recessional (choose one)
Exit music for at least the principals’ families, possibly followed by choices from my solo dulcimer and autoharp repertoire.
| Title | Composer |
|---|---|
| Your choice of jigs! | Traditional (and joyous!) |
| Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee | L. van Beethoven |
See also the processional music list, and my complete solo repertoire page, or contact me about a piece you’d like apart from that list.
Cocktail Hour
See my solo repertoire page for music ideas, and be sure to contact me about a piece you’d like apart from that list.
Reception
Everything from elegant dinner music to being part of a contra-dance band with additional instrumentalists. See my solo repertoire page for music ideas, and be sure to contact me about a piece you’d like apart from the list appearing there.