Vocal Soloist/Cantor/Organist/Wedding Music Director
Congradulations! It is my pleasure to serve in your wedding
In order to schedule your wedding, please read through the following:
You may send an email to my email address (below), but you MUST leave a verbal message on my telephone (574-825-5888) confirming your name, phone number, address, date of the wedding, and your email address. When I recieve "verbal" confirmation of your wedding date, I will schedule your wedding on my calender and send a packet through postage mail containing a Wedding form and a "Wedding CD" of possible wedding music. (Click here to see a sample page of the wedding form.) If I am unable to perform and help plan your wedding due to conflicts, I will contact you by phone and email.
POLICIES:
Because I play 15-30 weddings each summer, it is important that I keep exact records on your wedding. Therefore, you should fill out the wedding form you will receive in the mail and send it back to me as soon as possible. You do not need to fill out every blank if you do not know all the information yet. After I receive the form, I will call you and set up an appointment when we can meet in person at the location your wedding will be held. (Note: all planning concerning scriptural readings, sermons, etc. should be worked out with the pastor or rabbi.) A sample of the wedding form can be seen by clicking the blue lettering below.
All information concerning the music for the wedding should be communicated by the bride or groom to myself. I can then set up practice schedules with other musicians, such as vocal soloists, cantors, or instrumentalists.
You may pick organ selections or solos from the "Wedding CD" when you receive it. Or, you may make your own personal requests. Some bridal parties simply tell me to play traditional music, others request specific music and instrumentation, such as piano, guitar, brass or strings. Keep in mind, however, I may charge an additional fee if you request especially difficult pieces that require hours of rehearsal time (this rarely happens). All titles and composer names may be written on your wedding program if you request them.
Concerning music for soloists and instrumentalists: Only Christian, Jewish OR classical/traditional music will be performed. ALL MUSIC SHOULD BE PURCHASED AND SENT TO THE ORGANIST AND SOLOISTS no later than 2 weeks before the wedding. Since photocopying music is illegal, music must be purchased, not copied, for BOTH the organist and soloist.
Payment must be paid before, not after, the wedding. It is advisable to at least send the general fee in the regular mail before the wedding. The fees are listed below.
General fee:
The general fee for acting as Organist, Pianist and/or Wedding Music Director (includes one meeting with bride and groom and one hour rehearsal with other musicians): $125.00
Additional Accompaniment fees:
The first 2 hours of meeting and practicing with the instrumentalists, soloists, and cantors is covered under the general fee above. Any additional time is $25.00 per hour.
(Cantors are required at most historic, liturgical churches or synagogues, such as in Jewish, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Episcopal, and some Lutheran places of worship. If you are not sure if a cantor is required, you should ask your pastor or rabbi.)
Travel Costs:
These are negotiable if necessary.
Concerning wedding rehearsals:
I do not attend rehearsals since many pastors and priests rehearse the wedding party without music. Friday wedding rehearsals also usually conflict with "family night". If it is considered necessary that I be at the rehearsal, there is an additional $50.00 fee.
Feel free to call or email me concerning any concerns or questions.
Sincerely,
Stephen C. Royal
805 Heritage Drive, Middlebury, IN 46540
574-825-5888
directorofliturgy@gmail.com