not the largest part of his work. If you're getting married,
congratulations. If you're getting married in a church, this
probably isn't the site for you. But if you're getting married
on the BEACH, you've come to the right place. And there
are no better beaches than on the West Coast of Florida.
from. (Actually, the whole state, but the farther I travel the more it costs.)
2. If you choose the Sanibel/Captiva area (which is a fine choice indeed) you'll be
dealing with Danny Morgan to get my services. In addition to being the most
PROFESSIONAL talent agency in the ENTIRE free world, the Morgan group
puts you in touch with the finest wedding planners in all of Florida. And they are
all in the Sanibel/Captiva area. You can't go wrong with Danny and Amy.
Danny Morgan Musical Services
Oh, and when I work the Sanibel/Captiva area, it is ALWAYS through Danny
Morgan Musical Services. I do not book through any other agent, nor do I work
that area on my own. I am EXCLUSIVELY represented by Danny Morgan.
Frankly, I wish they would represent me everywhere, but for the moment they
handle all my Sanibel/Captiva engagements.
3. Outdoor weddings bring all new logistical problems to solve. (Weather, bugs
during the summer, heat, parking, hotel accommodations etc.) Because the
Sanibel/Captiva area has been doing outdoor weddings for so long, you probably
should go to them for the least amount of headaches.
music for the bridesmaids to enter, the processional music for the bride to enter and the recessional music for
husband and wife to exit. That's as traditional as it gets. Of course, you do not have to go be traditional at all. You
can choose the order you like, as well as the music you want.
In 90 percent of ceremonies, there is one processional song for the bridesmaids and one for the bride. Your choice.
THE PROCESSIONAL: If you are going totally traditional, the standard processional is the BRIDAL
CHORUS, from the German opera "Lohengrin" by Richard Wagner, first released in 1850. You might think of it as
"Here Come The Bride" the lyrics of which do not appear in the original German libretto. (I really don't know where
they came from, actually.) Some organists sometimes play an abbreviated version of this (probably because they
don't know the whole version.) If it is going to be a long procession, I play the full version on steel pans. (A link to
how it sounds will be coming soon.)
Another standard processional is "Canon In D" by Johann Pachelbel. There are probably as many different versions
of this as there are artists who recorded it. I try to keep it simple, since the procession usually doesn't last very long.
You can use pretty much ANY music for the Processional. I've been called upon to perform "You're So Cool" by
Hanz Zimmerman (from the motion picture "True Romance"). At other times, couples wanted Beatle songs. Up to
you.
THE RECESSIONAL: This is the music husband and wife use to exit, right after the minister or justice of the
peace announces them. It usually doesn't last very long. The most traditional piece is the WEDDING MARCH, from
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" by Felix Mendelssohn, first written around 1858. (Yeah, I know, Shakespeare
originally wrote the text around the 1580s, but Mendelssohn wrote the music in the 19th Century.) It became
popular as a wedding march when it was selected by Victoria, The Princess Royal for her marriage to the Crown
Prince of Prussia on January 25, 1858. (Interestingly enough, even though the Bridal Chorus and the Wedding
March are the two most often paired pieces of music for traditional weddings, the composers actually hated each
other in real life.)
Again, any music you want is fine. Some couples opt for "Canon in D." I've had several couples request "Three
Little Birds" by Bob Marley. It's all good, so long as it is what you want for this very important event in your life.
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES: Some times the wedding participants want to do more than just get
married. Some want to sing. On Sanibel/Captiva, you need to go to Danny and Amy for special requests. These
requests may include a cordless microphone, a special song for someone in the wedding party to sing, rehearsal for
that song, etc. Danny and Amy can produce miracles when it comes to beach weddings, but their resources are finite.
There are some things they can't produce with only an hour's notice. By the way, NOBODY ELSE CAN, EITHER.
Also, if I don't know the song, I'll have to learn it, and that takes a lot of time. Go to Danny and Amy with your
special requests.
THE SOUND OF THE STEEL PAN OUTDOORS: It is different. It is intimate. Mostly, it is ONE
INSTRUMENT. You'll hear the melody mostly in single note lines. I don't play chords on the steel pans because
there is no such thing as a steel pan that is in tune enough for me to do that. 95 percent of all weddings I play have
no problem with this. If you want a more fuller sound, I have wedding marches sequences in my MIDI gear that I
can play pan with. It'll require electricity for the area. And that means you have to consult Danny or Amy well in
advance. If you would like another musician besides me, that can be arranged. It will cost more, but then again,
we're talking more than one player.
YES, I PLAY OTHER INSTRUMENTS: I have been called upon to play the ceremony on guitar. I can
also play it on a stage piano (provided there is power available.) However, you can get a piano or guitar anywhere. It
is the steel pan that makes the ceremony that much more special.
AFTER THE CEREMONY: A lot of wedding parties use me for the cocktail hour, with plenty of Caribbean
steel pan smooth jazz. Some use me for the reception itself, those who want live music to dance to. I can do it as a
MIDI single or add as many musicians as your wallet can handle. Most wedding parties go with a DJ for the
reception. Your choice. Oh, and I'm also a DJ.
BY THE WAY: You CAN get all the professionalism of Danny Morgan Musical Services outside of
Sanibel/Captiva. They run functions in Naples, Ft. Myers Beach, or anywhere on the West Coast you want. Just give
them a call, AND ASK FOR ME, OF COURSE.
except in a few instances when I'm able to play a two-note chord. What you hear on
the videos below is EXACTLY how it is going to sound outside (except of course
for the sound of the wind and the crashing surf, depending on the weather.) It is
NOT going to sound like a full orchestra, a guitar, a human voice or anything other
than what it is. In the past, someone actually thought I could produce the sound of
Celine Dion doing a cover of an old Etta James song. Not possible in a totally
acoustic setting with no electricity. That was probably an extreme case, but I want
to be fair with you.
By Wagner
by Mendelsson
by Hans Zimmer
by Pachelbel
Check here.