Award-winning, conservatory-trained classical guitarist for wedding ceremonies and distinguished events
Classical guitarist Christopher Dunn is the owner of Classical Guitar Ceremonies, Inc., which serves almost 200 clients annually and provides music for weddings and other upscale events in Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Classical guitar is an excellent choice for your wedding ceremony as it offers a wide array of musical repertoire. Baroque, classical, Latin American/Spanish and popular modern arrangements can be woven together to make your wedding music flow seamlessly.
Mr. Dunn works with many of the Maryland and Washington, DC area’s most respected and dedicated wedding vendors, and Classical Guitar Ceremonies has been featured in some of the areas best-known wedding magazines.
Please click on “samples” to hear music selections, and feel free to contact Christopher Dunn with any questions about availability or choosing music for your wedding.
The evolution of the classical guitar and its repertoire spans more than four centuries. It has a history that was shaped by contributions from earlier instruments and has since become an increasingly important part of our modern area's classical music environment and popular culture.
For the music, most American wedding ceremonies have six major parts, each with their own special requirements:
The prelude
The wedding party’s processional
The bride’s processional
The interlude
The recessional
The postlude
If you do not want to choose individual songs for your ceremony, experienced wedding musicians will be able to play appropriate songs in the right places. But picking out your own wedding music can be more meaningful and satisfying. The first decision you should make that will guide you in your choices is whether you want your wedding music to be traditional and classic or lesser-known but unique. The professional wedding musicians you hire should have a supply of music from both categories in their repertoire.
The Prelude
The purpose of the prelude wedding music is to welcome guests as they are being seated before the wedding ceremony. It also should give a cheerful yet subdued atmosphere, setting the stage for the solemnity of the event. The prelude generally begins 15 to 20 minutes before the ceremony start time, and it often involves quite a few songs. Because of this, it’s best to give the musician(s) an idea of the genre of music you want and leave the individual song choices up to their discretion.
The Wedding Party’s Processional
The wedding party’s processional marks the official beginning of the wedding ceremony. It should have a slow but flowing feel, ushering the beautiful bridesmaids and other members of the wedding party down the aisle. Perhaps the classic example here is Canon in D by Pachelbel, but you should listen to various musical selections to find a song that strikes a chord with you.
The Bride’s Processional
The bride’s processional can be an incredible moment, as memorable to everyone involved as the vows or any other part of the ceremony. You should choose a very special song here.
The Interlude
The interlude can actually be many different moments in the wedding ceremony, my very loose definition being any time there are no words being spoken for a minute or more. For most wedding ceremonies, the interlude is the unity candle, memorial candle, or rose presentation. These are moments of quiet reflection, and the wedding music you choose should encourage this mood.
The Recessional
At last, time to celebrate your wedding! The wedding officiant’s pronouncement of husband and wife is followed by enthusiastic applause and joyous recessional music as the happy couple leads the way back up the aisle. The song you choose should be bright and upbeat, inviting everyone to celebrate your union.
The Postlude
The postlude to your wedding sets a pleasant atmosphere as guests are leaving. It can last between 10 and 30 minutes, so it’s best to treat the postlude like the prelude music and simply give the musicians an idea of what you want. Experienced wedding musicians will play postlude music that is refined but upbeat, adding the finishing touch to your beautiful ceremony.
Article written by:
Courtney Lawhn Chicago Harpist and Wedding Musician
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