Congratulations on your forthcoming nuptial ceremony! 

Music is an extremely important part of Catholic worship, and at Saint Mary Cathedral we are especially proud of our music program. Our musicians are held to the highest professional and performance standards and will make a meaningful and memorable contribution to the prayerful and joyous atmosphere of your nuptial ceremony. 

Consultation

David Stith is the organist and musical consultant for all weddings held at the Cathedral. 

All couples are expected to schedule a meeting no later than six weeks before the wedding date
by emailing him at the address above. 

All music will be selected at this consultation.  It is preferable that only the bridal couple attend.   Wedding planners and professional coordinators are asked to refrain from attending.  

Prior to the meeting, couples should be familiar with this Wedding Music Guidelines document.  Accessing the “Appropriate Wedding Music” document (referenced below) prior to the consultation may be helpful, David Stith or Music Director Dr Jeffrey Jones-Ragona are prepared to review all of the list’s musical options and make appropriate suggestions at the meeting.  

Wedding Music

Catholic wedding ceremonies are celebrated either outside of a Mass (Liturgy of the Word service - no Liturgy of the Eucharist) or within a  Mass (Celebration of the Holy Eucharist). A ceremony outside of a Mass will last approximately 30 minutes, while a full Mass lasts approximately one hour, depending on the number of communicants and the ceremony’s pacing and flow.

Portions of the ceremony for which music is appropriate and desirable are: 

• Prelude
• Seating of the Family
• Wedding Party Processional
• Bridal Processional
• *Gloria
• Psalm (sung only if a cantor is present) 
• *Offertory (vocal solo)
• *Sanctus 
• *Agnus Dei 
• *Communion (vocal solo)
• Presentation to the Blessed Mother (optional, usually a vocal setting of Ave Maria)
• **Additional Vocal Solo(s)
• Recessional 

Only sacred music performed in a traditional, classical style may be used during the wedding ceremony.  

Click here to see “Appropriate Wedding Music” for Saint Mary Cathedral
If you are members of the Cathedral parish, you are aware of the high caliber of music we enjoy. 
If you are new to the Cathedral, be assured that the best musicians in Central Texas are available for your ceremony.  We are equipped to provide wedding music that has been favored by many generations of bridal couples.
Because of our musical strengths and because of the value we place on this sacred ceremony, secular music and those selections in a contemporary, casual style are not possible.  

Fees: 

The wedding fee charged by the cathedral includes the services of an organist and a vocal soloist (cantor) who will be paid directly by the cathedral for participation in the wedding. 

The organist provides prelude, processional, and recessional music, and accompanies the liturgical responses and vocal solos. 

The vocal soloist sings the Responsorial Psalm, liturgical responses (if a full Mass) and two or three solos. 

More pieces may be requested, but this may incur additional charges.  David Stith or Music Director Dr Jeffrey Jones-Ragona are happy to arrange for one of our soloists to sing at your wedding. 

We strongly recommend that only the professional staff employed by the cathedral be engaged to perform at your wedding.  Exceptions to this recommendation must be approved by Jeffrey Jones-Ragona, Director of Music (512.472.4540), and will incur a “bench fee” of the cathedral staff member whose work is displaced.     

Additional instrumentalists (i.e. trumpet, violin) may be contracted.  Fees vary but are generally $250 per performer.  These will be contracted by either David Stith or Music Director Dr jeffrey Jones-Ragona.  The couple may recommend an instrumental performer if they wish, but the performer must be of superior ability in accordance with the musical standards upheld by the Cathedral.  The organist’s fee for working with additional instrumentalists will be slightly elevated. 

The Music Office of the Cathedral employs a professional quartet for the purpose of singing service music.  They may be heard at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass.  The quartet is contracted through the Office of Music (Jeffrey Jones-Ragona, director) at 512.472.4540.  Their fees are $250 per person. The services of the Schola Cantorum (full choir) may be arranged through Jeffrey Jones-Ragona at 512.472.4540. 

We are thrilled that you will celebrate your ceremony in the beauty of the cathedral and enriched by the musical offerings of our staff.  Please know of our prayers for a long, happy life together.