MPR Hosts and Staff Share Their
Wedding Music Stories

We asked employees of Minnesota Public Radio to tell us some of their wedding music memories. Whether they're remembering the music they chose for their own weddings or the music they've experienced at others' weddings, the consensus is clear: The music used to accompany the tying of the knot can be a very personal and meaningful selection of songs.

Nancy Harris, Membership Operations Supervisor

Nancy Harris in costume with her husband, August 1, 1993

What music was played at your wedding?
I don't remember. It wasn't that long ago—about eight years. It's just that I didn't choose it, so I never really knew. I was married as part of the Gibbs Farm Country Wedding Day. (They usually have actors, but that year it was for real.)

The music was "donated" by a harpist. She played beautifully, I'm sure, but I was happy and excited and focused on other things and never really heard it. And, ironically, I've never much cared for harp music anyway."

What music have you heard played at a ceremony?
"Sunrise Sunset" from the musical Fiddler on the Roof. "Sunrise, sunset, swiftly flow the years. I don't remember growing older. When did they..." There wasn't a dry eye in the church. Even the pastor was blinking back tears.

Why did you like it?
This song is about real life, one's place in the universe, and the passage of time. So many wedding songs are about idealized love and romance and don't reflect reality very well. Every married person listening knows it isn't really like that, and I would always listen to those songs and think "Wait 'til they find out marriage is as much about negotiation and compromise as love. And if they're lucky, when the romance has faded, they will still have the love." And, anyway, I like any song that draws out my emotions.

Craig Curtis, Vice President, Radio and Direct Broadcast

What music was played at your wedding?
My wife and I were both music students when we met and married. Since our real life was dominated by music, for our wedding we had none. Not one note.

My wife came down the aisle to silence. We walked out accompanied only by the smiles of friends and family. It was perfect, and we never once second-guessed the decision.

Chris Kohtz, Director of Classical 24

What music was played at your wedding?
Prelude: "Gaelic Blessing," by John Rutter (full choir)
Processional: "Te Deum," by Marc-Antoine Charpentier (early 18th century, trumpet and organ)
During service:
   • "One Hand, One Heart," by Robert Beadell, Leonard Bernstein arr. (full choir)
   • "If Ye Love Me," by Thomas Tallis (Early English sacred anthem, full choir)
   • "Let They Holy Presence," (Russian, 20th century, full choir) Pavel Tchesnakov
Recessional:
   • Royal Fireworks "La Rejouissance," by George Frideric Handel (trumpet and organ)
   • Organ Symphony No. 5: Toccata, by Charles Marie Widor (organ)
   • "Jerusalem," English hymn (full choir)

	Chris Kohtz raising a glass with his wife, July 9, 1994.

I was a performing musician at the time, which included a job with the area's premier church-music program. That gave us the use of a wonderful cathedral space plus our full choir, brass ensemble, and organ at little cost.

Since Allison and I were both musicians ... we were keenly interested in the music in our service. All of the works are very moving and very elegant. They are all favorites of ours and were favorites of the choir as well.

The Charpentier gives you the glorious feel of better-known processionals such as "Trumpet Voluntary" but is not often played, so it sounded fresh. The Tallis and Tchesnakov allowed us to showcase the fabulous church choir with lush sounds while the arrangement of "One Hand, One Heart" was a gift to us from my mentor, the late composer Robert Beadell, who unfortunately passed away before he could hear it. We have his original hand-written manuscript mounted and hanging in memorial in our home.

The Widor Toccata is a common, very flashy showpiece but was a must, since we had the organ and organist to pull it off superbly. We've been flattered, even seven years later, by the compliments our musical choices have brought us.

John Birge Classical music host

What music was played at your wedding?
"Trumpet Tune," by Henry Purcell. For its perfect combination of ceremony and joy.

"Wedding March," by Mendelssohn. We debated this one. Was it too much of a cliché? But again, we loved the pure joy and ebullience of it (and the Shakespeare connection).

"Ain't Misbehavin'," by Fats Waller. Self-explanatory! This played while guests went through the receiving line.

Jen Hanlon, Human Resources, American Public Media Group

Jen Hanlon swinging with her husband, March 25, 2000.

What music was played at your wedding?
Swing music by a local band, Tony DeMarco and the Swingophiles.

My husband and I were determined to show off our (rather pathetic) dance moves. We had been taking swing lessons for a whole month and thought we were pretty damned good. Needless to say, we were appalled that some of our guests (including our parents!) out-stepped us! And don't even get me started about how difficult it is to swing dance in a wedding dress!

All that twirling mixed with all that wedding champagne didn't sit too well, either. However, the music was a great multi-generational choice. My 86-year-old grandma enjoyed herself as much as our high-school-aged cousins.

The best wedding march I've heard was the Beatles "Across the Universe" played and sung by the groom's uncle and brother on acoustic guitars while the couple walked down the aisle together. After they exchanged vows, the Beatles' "I will" was played, again by family members. I don't know if I was crying because those are my favorite Beatles songs or because the ceremony was so moving!

Anything that says something about who you are as individuals or as a couple. Music is so intensely personal—it means something different to everyone. I think a couple should very consciously choose at least one song to be played at the ceremony or reception that expresses something personally meaningful to them. Be it silly or serious, play something that tells your guests something about who you are.

Steven John, MPR News Reporter, KNOW

What music was played at your wedding?
I had my friend, local singer-songwriter Jeff Arundel, sing his lovely "One True Love" at my wedding eight years ago this July on Nicollet Island. We also chose Bruce Springsteen's "If I Should Fall Behind." The only regret is that my brother-in-law, who is a fine lawyer but only an adequate singer, chose to rehearse the piece for the first and only time during his plane ride to the festivities.

Cindy Oberg-Hauser, Associate Producer, Sound Money

	Cindy Oberg-Hauser stands near her husband, March 16, 1985

What music was played at your wedding?
For our processional and recessional, we used parts of Stravinsky's "Suite Italienne" for violin and piano.

Why did you choose it?
When I was in college, I had heard Pinchas Zukerman play it at an SPCO concert, and I loved it. My sister-in-law is a fine pianist, and her friend a fine violinist, so it sounded wonderful.

What music do you think would be a good idea at a wedding?
There is so much lovely classical music, I don't know why anyone would use the old war horses!

Brandi Parisi, Host of Music Through the Night and The Opera

Brandi Parisi poses with her husband, December 17, 2000.

What music was played at your wedding and why id you choose it?
   • "Ave Maria," Gounoud/Bach
   • "The Swan," Saint-Saëns
   • "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," Bach

One of the perks of my job is having friends who are terrific musicians. Lauren Rico and Michael Barone played at the wedding, and they could have played "Chopsticks" and made it sound great.

Lauren and I chose the music, and since it was near Christmas, we thought ""Ave Maria" was appropriate.

Peter Stenshoel, Marketplace

What music was played at your wedding?
Music composed by my brothers-in-law and myself. Also a famous Japanese classical shakuhachi piece, "Moon Over Deserted Castle."

Why did you choose it?
We wanted to personalize the event and give folks a ceremony to remember.

What music have you heard played at ther ceremonies?
Organ solos composed by Olivier Messiaen. Now, that was great!

Why did you like it?
There is such power mixed with serenity in his music.

What music do you think would be a good idea at a wedding?
Anything done live by talented guests and members of the wedding party, as long as it fits the overall tone of the affair. It could be Renaissance or medieval music, or fun, ethnic, folk music.

Why would you recommend it?
Let's face it, after a while, hearing the same pieces over and over at weddings gets a bit stale.