To begin the process of selecting music for your wedding you need to contact our Director of Music, Philip Jakob, at least five months prior to the wedding date. When you first contact the Director of Music, please supply the following details: Music fees are separate from the fees paid to the church, and must be paid a week in advance the wedding. Our Director of Music will inform you of the name(s) of the cantor and/or additional musicians, if requested, prior to your payment. Payment must be made directly to the Director of Music in separate envelopes. Yes. Singing and instrumental music are an integral part of any liturgical celebration. The musical elements of the celebration promote participation by you and your guests, enhance and accent portions of the celebration, and add to the aesthetic element of this special day. Yes. Sacred Heart has an impressive pipe organ that can be used at weddings. Yes. A cantor adds a wonderful aesthetic to the ceremonies. The right cantor not only provides vocal accompaniment but also encourages your guests to participate. As mentioned above, our organist is an accomplished vocalist. The fee for cantors from Sacred Heart is $150, which is paid separately from the organist. Occasionally, a couple may wish to involve a cantor from their own parish, or a string quartet, or other solo musicians. We have worked with many of the music professionals from around the Tampa Bay area and can usually accommodate such requests. Our Director of Music approves the details of their participation, and can also recommend ‘tried and tested’ string or wind instrumentalists if you’re unsure of where to start. We would advise you to contact our Director of Music via email before signing a contract with independent musicians. Please note that these professionals have their own fees outside of the fees due for the organist and/or cantor of Sacred Heart. If your chosen musicians require our Director of Music to attend additional rehearsals or create instrumental arrangements, an additional fee will be charged. The use of pre-recorded music of any kind, including backing tracks for solo instrumentalists, is not permitted within Catholic liturgy. Typically, this process starts about five months prior to the date of the wedding, but the sooner the better! It is often possible to complete the process via email, however, our Director of Music will make himself available for an in-person meeting if necessary. Please be aware that during certain times of the year, notably the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, the Director of Music (and outside musicians) will be busier than normal. Couples should be aware that our Director of Music’s schedule does not allow for Sunday meetings, due to the parish Mass schedule. The Director of Music will review your selections with you, assist you in the selection of appropriate music for the celebration (sung or instrumental), and answer any further questions. Yes. Please review the documents the director will send you, and complete as much as you can of the form provided. You will be advised if any of your selections are inappropriate for use within the liturgical celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is there music at a wedding ceremony?
Is the Sacred Heart organ used at weddings?
How about someone to sing during the wedding? Can they be part of the celebration?
What about other musicians and instrumentalists?
When should I and my fiancé(e) meet with the Organist?
What happens when I contact the Director of Music?
How should I prepare for my meeting with the Director of Music?
Philip Jakob
Director of Music
813-229-1595 Ext. 205
Contact Via Email
