What are the #1 requested songs for wedding ceremonies in the classical genre?
I have compiled all data from every wedding Palmetto Strings has played played in 2008. I will be working on the 2009 ceremony music statistics coming up…Ok, so here are the results..

The #1 song chosen for the Grandmothers and Mothers is..

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by J.S. Bach……I think this a perfect song because it has a flowing and graceful pace to it. It is also very nice to work with whether you have just one mother walking, or whether you have two mothers and two grandmothers. This means that it is easy for the musician to end the piece at almost any moment.
The runners-up include: Canon in D – Pachelbel; Air on the G-String – J.S. Bach
They are also wonderful choices since they follow the similar tempo and mood.

The #1 song chosen for the Bridal Party is..

Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel……We’ve all heard this one, yet it never seems to lose its popularity. They always play it in the weddings you see in movies. Even playing it a zillion times, I still really enjoy playing it. It is neat to hear the layers of the instruments start coming in at different times to create this elegant and moving piece.
Runners-up include: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring; Rondeau – Mouret; Trumpet Voluntary – Clarke

Now, the #1 song for the Bride is..

Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke……This won by a landslide. Canon in D remained as number 2. Trumpet Voluntary is a perfect song for the bride. It introduces an air of majesty and excitement. Interesting factoid: this was actually written in honor of Prince George of Denmark. This was also played for the Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ wedding. Yes, it does sound very royal indeed! So if you want to feel like a princess or queen, this is a good choice.
Runners-up include: Canon in D; Bridal Chorus; and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. I think people are seeing the true cliche of the traditional Bridal Chorus and opt for an alternative.

Finally, the #1 song for the Recessional for 2008 with Palmetto Strings is:

Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn! ……Hard to believe, definitely tends to be the cliche song for the recessional. It still remains as a beautiful and exciting piece from Mendelssohn’s opera, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Runners-up include: Hornpipe; Rondeau; and Spring from the “Four Seasons” -Vivaldi

Well, there you have it! Stay tuned for 2009’s results, here our newly incorporated contemporary songs may beat out the classical selections!