Weddings Why is Lenore a great choice for our wedding organist in the San Francisco Bay Area? Lenore takes your wedding music as seriously as you do. Since her own wedding and her treasured memories of the music, she knows how important it is to provide the most beautiful, appropriate, and tastefully timed music possible at every wedding she plays. In addition, Lenore has ten years experience in playing weddings of every Christian denomination and culture. She has seen it all! More important, she has learned how to adapt her extensive repertory of wedding music to fit every situation and every couple. (Some years ago, Lenore played the "Hockey Night in Canada" theme for one couple as they exited, though she has never been sure if she really should have.) You can also listen to some of Lenore's wedding music online! Why choose organ for our ceremony? The sound of the pipe organ evokes pomp, circumstance, and majesty. It is also the most ancient of instruments, which means its presence in your wedding adds the weight of tradition in a way no other instrument can. How do we choose the music? Music for weddings falls into three basic categories: Processional, Ceremonial, and Recessional. You may also wish to decide on music played before the Processional music, as guests are arriving. I play a fifteen minute "mini-recital" of festive organ or piano music before the ceremony begins. Processional music may include: Seating of mothers/grandparents/parents Entrance of bridal party Entrance of bride. Ceremonial music refers to anything played during the ceremony itself. It may include: Lighting of Unity Candle Music between readings Music after exchange of vows/rings Recessional music is simple: festive, upbeat music as the couple exits! It may include: Recessional Postlude Can we hire other musicians with the organ? Yes. Trumpet, violin, and cello are instruments frequently heard playing with the organ at weddings; voice and organ is also very popular. Lenore has a quality network of musicians she can recommend for this purpose if you are interested. Combination of organ and piano-what are the options? Lenore is a professional pianist as well as organist; she holds a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance as well as her (as of December 2008) Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Organ Performance. As such, Lenore is equally at home on either instrument and can recommend beautiful piano pieces if you prefer a more intimate atmosphere for your wedding. Many couples enjoy a combination of the two instruments during the ceremony. For example, you may want to enter and exit to the majestic sound of the organ, but use the different atmosphere the piano evokes for the lighting of the Unity Candle. How much will it cost? The fee for the pre-ceremony music consultation + ceremony is $250. If you would like Lenore to be present at the rehearsal as well, the fee is $350. These are typical fees and may be different in some circumstances.