Date sent: Thu, 13 Jan 2000 09:32:39 EST
Subject: Re: VOCALIST-Digest V8 #18
To: vocalist
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

In a message dated 00-01-13 08:24:28 EST, you write:

>
> I have some great news, last night someone asked me to sing at their
wedding.
>
> This is the first time anyone has asked me to sing anywhere especially for
> something that important. This is a big step for me as I have never
thought
> my voice good enough. She told me to pick out the song. What do you all
> think
> of the song that Barbara Streisand sang to her husband "I've Dreamed of
You"
>
> and does anyone know if there is any written music for it?

Congratulations on your "gig". It is exciting to participate in a wedding
for the first time.

I don't know the Streisand song, but as a church organist I would question
whether that song is appropriate for the church ceremony (considering the
music as well as the text). (is that when you were asked to sing it?) Many
churches do not allow popular music in the ceremony, and rightly so in my
opinion. Many brides have no concept of what is appropriate for church and
need guidance. I have played in churches where the priest said essentially
anything goes, and I was thus rendered helpless to avoid playing music on
occasion which was not appropriate. I prefer to play in churches where a
clergy person makes a clear policy. (Some do not even allow the Wagner and
Mendelssohn wedding marches, which is also fine with me, but even though they
are trite, i would play them if requested and allowed by the church.)

I would advise you to consult with the organist and/or clergy person of the
church where the wedding will take place before you promise something to the
bride that you can't deliver on. They can also probably give you suggestions
of things you could do.

A good solution might be to sing that Streisand song at the reception, and
find sacred songs to sing during the ceremony. In Catholic churches they
always do the Ave Maria, also sometimes the Franck Panis Angelicus. Others
on this list can surely recommend things they sing at weddings.

Merry Foxworth