Processional Wedding Music Selections for Jewish Wedding Ceremonies
Processional wedding music accompanies the bride as it is known in Jewish tradition for the bride is a queen, and the groom a king. When a Queen enters, music accompanies her and it sets the tone for this romantic, joyous celebration, a marriage. As little girls dreamed of this big day, those little girls now brides live their dream when walking down the aisle to meet their groom and who accompanies her to the Chuppah. It is tradition that two processional wedding music selections are used for the family members and the wedding party having the honor to walk down the aisle first. Lets not forget the groom who is escorted by his parents. As the groom waits for his bride under the Chuppah, he turns and hears the jubilation with the second processional wedding music for his bride enters, meets her in the middle of the aisle and escorts her to the Chuppah and receive their blessings becoming husband and wife.
"One of the main expressions of fervent love is that the lover sings songs of love -- so we should sing before God" Rabbi Eliezer Azikri
Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li I Am My Beloved's, And My Beloved Is Mine Song of Songs
As far back as King David, all religious ceremonies were accompanied by music. During the first temple, the Psalms were composed, thus Jewish music. By the time of the second temple, the order of which the Psalms would be chanted at which service became firmly established. Today, in our synagogues are the roles of Cantor, also known as the Hazzan, a musical leader leading the congregation with prayers in song. They are our clergy often seen sharing the Bimah (alter) with the Rabbi
Music is central to the religious experience; our Jewish music heritage has always been a part of the people wherever they traveled. It tells a story or accompanies a specific moment in a story. When we hear the music selection from a movie, we then suddenly remember that particular scene.
Music connects Jewish life both in the synagogue and home. In the synagogue we learn prayers in song. Our children in Jewish nursery school learn songs when playing games; a musical tune with the Hebrew alphabet and many others. In the home we recite or chant blessings with a tune that when we hear it without words we know what holiday that blessing is for. We sing joyous music around our holiday tables and at times when we are sad, there is music to bring us comfort as well.
Music is enjoyed all over the world to celebrate the cycle of Jewish life: birth,
naming a baby
,
circumcision,
rites of passage for young people at the age of 13
(Bar Mitzvah for boys and Bat Mitzvah for girls)
, and of course, weddings. Processional wedding music can provide your guests with wonderful memories of your Jewish wedding ceremony.
Below, musical selections are available for brides and grooms to listen as a guide. The selections will assist in choosing the processional wedding music to and from the Chuppah. Each processional wedding music selection will have the title and the name of the artist, group or band.
Note: This information can be given, if needed, to your wedding band, orchestra, and or musician. Wedding Musicians in the wedding industry will know how short or long to play for your wedding processional. Some processional wedding music selections have beautiful words; remember each song can be played with no words, and the tempo can be slowed down as well.
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Artist: Michael Isaacson Founding Artistic Director of The Israel Pops Orchestra, and the Milken Archive of American Jewish Music. He has a distinguished career as a composer, conductor, producer, and educator with over 500 Jewish and secular musical compositions published.
Publisher: Tara Publications A publisher and distributor of Jewish music of all genres.
Music Group: Safam This six-man band has dominated Jewish music in America with their "Jewish-American Sound" since 1974. Often copied, never duplicated, they are originals -- original music, original lyrics, original arrangements -- their songs have become a fabric of our Jewish lives. Safam performs at local temples and all ages attend.
Note: Each selection tells the story of the Jewish Wedding in song. Remember; each song can be played without words.
Music Group: South Coast Simcha Band The Band has extremely talented and dedicated musicians, though they are not strictly a Jewish music band, however they are multi-instrumentalists, and several are arrangers and composers. Their depth of knowledge spans over generations and genres.
