Givonna Joseph, mezzo-soprano

 Givonna Joseph 

What is the most crucial element of wedding music?
To honor the solemnity of the vows. The music should reflect sacred Scripture if that’s in accordance with the faith tradition.
Read the wedding contract for your church or venue for the guidelines about hiring singers and musicians, and what type of music is permitted there. Some churches don’t allow secular music or outside musicians, so that’s important to know. Contact your musician months in advance. This will give you time to learn more about the music you want and time for musicians to learn a piece of music that you select, if they’re not already familiar with it. Make sure you hear the people you want to hire in advance, preferably in person!
Investing in good music is important. Music is one of the things that guests will remember for years, as I have continued to hear from family and friends who attended my wedding. People might forget what flowers you had or the style of your decorations, but they always remember the food and the music, especially if it was bad – so choose wisely!

What kind of music do you perform?
I sing mostly standard hymns and classical music, but I’m versatile in the traditional gospel style as well. For the ceremony I usually sing two or three prelude songs before the wedding begins; during the seating of mothers and/or grandmothers of the bride and groom; and after the vows (if a unity candle is lit by the couple). For a Nuptial Mass I may also sing The Responsorial Psalm, between Scripture readings; The Mass parts – “Alleluia,” “Holy Holy” and others; the Offertory; Communion; and a Meditation for presentation to Mary. As a trained opera singer, I offer the traditional music of composers such as Bach, Schubert, Franck and Mozart as well as other traditional sacred and wedding music.

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Wedding policy: Your wedding is considered booked once we have agreed on Ms. Joseph's availability. However to hold the date, a non refundable deposit is required within a week. Full payment is due 30 days prior to the wedding. If her services are canceled within 45 days of the wedding, the full fee is still due.