In 2008, I bought a $39 computer composition
program, and finally wrote down some tunes that had been bouncing
around in my head since I was a kid. (All were mentally
composed
between the ages of 10 and 25. There have been no fresh
inspirations since then.) So this is an Opus 1--probably an
Opus Only.
Since the pieces were mostly short
little marches,
it occurred to me that they could be fitted together as a wedding
suite. Now, I like the music--but not well enough to get
married
just so I can use it. It's here for anyone who wants to use
it.
(Let me know, and I just might show up to conduct the world
premier.)
The suite is scored for pipe organ, 2
trumpets, and
tympani--with one strike of the gong. Computer speakers
(especially laptop) cannot do justice to the low notes of a pipe organ,
but you can get a rough idea. You can download a free player at http://ntworthy.com/nwc2/viewer.htm.
Then click on a link below, confirm that you want it opened in
Noteworthy Composer and hit play.
Wedding Suite
by Paul LeValley
Prelude
This first tune began as a lullaby to my
sister Alice, and is still so simple a beginning student could play
it. At age ten, I could take it only as far as measure 34; I
later added a couple of variations. Each selection gets more
complicated after
that. With repeats, this piece takes 7 minutes. You
may want to quit after the repeat sign.
Procession
of the Mothers-in-Law
A bit of program music here.
One mother-in-law enters in a stately procession. There is
some rumbling in the bass, as the other mother-in-law insists on equal
treatment. And she gets it. 4 ½ minutes.
Groom's
March
Not too funereal. This is not
a gallows march. But it is an uncommon march in 3/4
time. Perhaps we should call it a
“Groom’s Waltz,” but that
doesn’t sound very macho. We’ll continue
to call it a “Groom’s March.”
In the church I am thinking of, there
are two balconies at the back, where the trumpeteers can
stand. Their appearance--preferably with the long heraldic
trumpets and banners bearing family crests of the bride and
groom--should come as a complete surprise. In this and each
of the remaining pieces, all trumpet notes are to be tongued--no smooth
gliding into notes.
As the groom usually enters by a side
door, this march is short: only 37 seconds.
Grand
Entrance of the Bride
A wedding large enough to use this many
musical instruments will probably have at least three
bridesmaids. If that is the case, these are the suggested
entry points:
1 2nd bridesmaid
14 1st bridesmaid
28 (organ solo) Maid
of Honor
45 (wedding bells)
Flower girls and ring bearer
60 (trumpets) an expectant
pause of fanfare and anticipation
68 (gong) Bride
The organ solo at 28-44 could be
repeated for one additional person. For a smaller wedding,
everything before the organ solo (28) could be treated as fanfare while
no one moves. The whole thing, as written, lasts a little
less than 3 minutes.
The treble runs of measures 45 through
57 are intended for the organ's bell chimes. (Because of
program limitations, I had to make a special listening file with an
extra staff. If you need the printable file, let me know.)
The program has no gong, so you will hear a crappy little
cymbal. Likewise, the program has no symbol to indicate the drum
roll at the end of this and the final piece.
Recessional
After a lot of talk, the minister
finally says, "I give you Mr. and Mrs. So-and-so."
They face the congregation during the fanfare, then begin walking out
when a single trumpet plays. The rest of the wedding party
follows when the organ starts.
The speed is brisk. Each time
through lasts about 2 minutes. Repeat as needed, alternating
the two fanfare endings until the room is nearly cleared.
Then go to the coda. The coda pulls a couple of the songs
together; don't waste it on an empty church.
If you've read this far without actually listening,
go back to the top and download the free player.
You can find all of the above
information--plus recommended organ stops--by hitting the i button in
each file.
You may also be interested in the additional verses
I wrote for that old campfire song, Pink Pajamas.
I'm out of my field, and don't pretend
to know what I'm doing. I'll be curious to hear your reactions at
paullevalley@peoplepc.com.