When It Comes to Ceremony Music, Hire Good Professional Musicians with Experience!

Maintaining the status quo, when it comes to hiring a particular vendor for your wedding can be quite frustrating and/or overwhelming for the bride, especially when one considers that this is your first and hopefully forever – and last – wedding!

This is why I was so happy to be asked to write by one of “my (beautiful!) brides”, Nicole Onofrio, from my perspective as a musician, about hiring a music professional for your wedding.  

I say this because I believe the laymen does not understand the level, of not only love and dedication, but also the time and money that goes into becoming a musician.  It involves not only purchasing and insuring an expensive instrument, but also paying for countless hours of lessons with expensive orchestral players in your field and/or world class players.  Not to mention, the hours of practice to achieve perfection!

First of all, there are those who “can play an instrument” and there are “musicians.”  Not everyone is naturally gifted.  It’s something that will just speak to your heart as you listen. Your cousin or aunt or best friend may play with heart, but suffer from stage fright.  They may be too emotional about your wedding, or to be blunt, just too inexperienced to make your event memorable for the right reason.

This is especially important when you are playing music for a celebration of love between two lovers, about to undertake the vast commitment of an entire lifetime together!  The music must speak not only to their hearts, but also to those of friends and family who made your day a priority, on their already overloaded calendars.  Incidentally, this quality is the first thing that I look for in a musician with whom I choose to play.

The next equally important trait that I consider is professionalism.  Professionalism entails an entire realm of qualities from reliability, to keeping the commitment, being prepared for the event in terms of necessary music, and being on time.  Also, very important, being personable to everyone involved in the event.

“Being personable” to me means many things:  a lack of arrogance, a degree of humbleness, being receptive to constructive criticism and most important, a sense of humor.  As in all walks of life, it is so important to be able to laugh at oneself, although after years of strict training in an effort to perfect the etude or sonata or concerto at hand, this is something that comes with time and experience.

When a bride calls a musician looking for pricing, but is obviously “bargain shopping”, don’t be surprised if the musician on the other end of the phone line is a tad defensive, or plainly put, displaying hurt feelings.  We are sensitive creatures, and as such choose not to look at ourselves as a commodity.

What is the price of a good musician?  Priceless, really!

What is the price of a good athlete?  Here lies the rub.  Is this one of our society’s little “oversights” or is it a telling lack of culture?   Athletes train, as we do, but are worshipped and adored.  They are also paid huge salaries, in comparison to the musician, whom are sadly not held in such high esteem.

Yet you, dear bride, may pay several thousands of dollars for bridal amenities such as flowers (thousands!), the venue and dinners (thousands!); the horse and carriage, etc.

Music sets the stage.  It elicits memories and it makes memories.  Can you imagine a memorable moment of your life or even a favorite movie without it?  No!  But you won’t miss it unless it’s not there.  You might think, “hmmmm, something’s not quite right!” and later realize it was (the lack of) the music.

I often tell the bride, “You won’t even hear the music”.

The usual reply is, “Why, don’t you play loud enough?”

No, dear bride, you are so in love, and not just a little bit nervous, head swimming with wedding details, careful not to trip over the most gorgeous dress you will ever wear on a day on which you have never looked so beautiful… how could anyone possibly imagine that you would hear the music?  Although, if it were terrible, you most definitely would hear it!

Your guests are listening, and will tell you how beautiful you and your groom were and they will comment on the beauty of the music.

No, sweet bride, you will not truly appreciate the music until you view your video, lol!

Remember, you are headed for a journey – not a destination.  And the quarterback is “the music”.  So, go to the websites.  Listen to the music and choose with your heart, not your pocketbook!  

It’s your special day!  Make it even more memorable with the right music!  Visit MagicFluteWeddings.com for music samples, music protocol, and overall helpful information for the bride-to-be.