cathymcevoy

Happy New Year! Did you know that January is the busiest time of year for wedding planning? Many couples become engaged over Christmas, and many more simply pause their wedding planning during the festive season, before getting back into ‘organisation mode’ once the new year rolls in. So if live music is on your wedding wish list, January is the perfect time to plan it!

Now if there’s one thing I really love, it’s performing at wedding ceremonies. And if there’s one recent wedding trend I especially love, it’s the move towards blending genres and styles of music within a celebration – because this is my absolute speciality! So if you’re looking for something creative and personal to make your ceremony absolutely unique, you’re 100% in the right place.

If you think about it, the violin is one of the most versatile of all instruments, because it lends itself to so many different styles. So let’s say your concept for your ceremony includes an elegant sonata, a haunting trad air, your favourite movie theme, and some jazz classics. Well the great news is that violin, together with your choice of piano or guitar accompaniment, is the perfect instrument for any one of these. Moreover, my training – a mix of classical, improvisation and folk – gives me a distinctive style that lets me customise any request according to couples’ tastes, to create an authentic sound world for your wedding ceremony that is totally unique to you.

A further plus is that I’m quite a nice singer! So if you’d like a primarily instrumental choice of music for your celebration but require some vocal pieces – such as the mass parts in the Catholic ceremony, described below.

The Irish wedding landscape has evolved so much in Ireland in recent years, it’s quite amazing. For one thing, in the past, the only secular style of service available was a short, civil ceremony in your local registry office. Nowadays, every kind of service is available to you, some of which give you free rein to essentially design your own ceremony.

Probably because of the limited ceremony options in the past, couples typically felt they had to stick to one type of music for their ceremony – classical, choral, maybe trad. Today’s couples, by contrast, are usually looking for something creative, perhaps mixing genres and instrumentation. Maybe you’d like a modern take on a traditional song, or a trad-informed version of a Taylor Swift song? Or how about an excerpt from your favourite classical work, fused with a song from your favourite musical? No problem, I can create a unique instrumental version of almost any song, especially for you on your wedding day.

Here’s some of my most requested pieces for wedding ceremonies:

Not sure what kinds of music to programme for different points in your ceremony? 

No problem, I’m here to help! If you’re at the early stages of wedding planning, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed with all the decisions you have to make. Please don’t feel like you need to invent the wheel yourselves – it’s too easy to go down internet rabbit holes that may confuse more than they help, especially if you’re looking at information that’s more relevant in different territories such as the UK. So, before you reach for Google, ask the experts! Both as a violinist, and in my capacity as Musical Director to The Gospel Project, I have years of experience navigating every kind of ceremony, and I’m more than happy to assist you in choosing appropriate music for each point of the ceremony. 

If yours is a Humanist or Spiritualist ceremony, you have almost total freedom to choose whatever music you’d like for your celebration, whether you’re a death metal fan or a lover of Renaissance string music. You’ll work with your celebrant to devise a ceremony that suits you both, including whatever readings and gestures you’d like, and then with your musicians to fit the music around that.

In the Catholic mass, I normally perform at 12-14 points ; approximately 7 full-length songs in addition to the mass parts (Gloria, Hallelujah etc…) perhaps a psalm, and, usually, some instrumental music at the two candle lighting ceremonies.

In the Church of Ireland tradition, it’s normal to have a number of congregational hymns that your guests will join in with, in addition to the songs that your professional musicians will perform at moments such as the bridal entrance, Communion, Signing of the Register and Exit. As a skilled vocalist as well, I’m well positioned to lead these congregational hymns. 

Any questions? Feel free to get in touch, I’m happy to share my expertise on this subject, pressure-free! drop me an email – cathymcevoyceremonymusic@gmail.com

Funerals

Like I say, I love playing at wedding ceremonies. Over time, and somewhat unexpectedly, I’ve come to take equal pride in playing at funerals. I believe it is important work. Music has a unique ability to support people in grief, and being able to offer that support — even as a stranger — creates a powerful and humbling connection.. Experience tells me that people will remember the music that was played at a loved one’s funeral service, and how it made them feel, long after they may have forgotten what was performed at a wedding ceremony.
For a long time I was reticent about this aspect of my work. I took only the bookings I got through word-of-mouth – because, honestly, advertising it seemed distasteful. But so many of the families I’ve worked with have commented that they took comfort in the music I provided, and found me particularly sensitive to their needs during a very difficult time, that I’ve  decided to formally include funeral services and memorials in my professional portfolio. 

It’s because this is only a recent decision – as well as what I hope is the obvious reason that I’m not inclined to take out my phone to make promo videos in the middle of a funeral – that I have just a few videos here of music appropriate for funeral rites, but I’ll be adding to them in the coming weeks. 

And just like more joyful ceremonies, such as weddings, please don’t feel like you’ll need to invent the wheel when it comes to choices of music and their placement within the service – I’m here to help, and I have tons of experience. Together with you and your family, I’ll create a unique and personal ceremony and guide you through your music options, whether your service is religious, secular, or a blend of both. Please get in touch on +353 87-6361314

cathymcevoyceremonymusic@gmail.com