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a guide to simchahs
The Delicate Art
Of Chuppah Music
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Binyamin Kagedan performs under a chuppah.
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celebrate! I March 2014
rable is not what is seen, but what
is heard. The emotional tone of the
ceremony won't be set by the size
of the bride's bouquet, but by a
heartfelt blessing, a unique vow or
a special song.
That's where I come in.
A musician and singer by hobby,
I have had the happy fortune of
being asked to sing under the
chuppah at the weddings of most
of my best friends as well as close
family members. The Jewish wed-
ding ceremony is rich in opportuni-
ties for powerful emotional expres-
sion, especially in its music.
Songs about holy love punctu-
ate and enliven each step of the
process: the groom's entrance, then
the bride's; the last of the seven
blessings; the breaking of the glass.
The quality and combination of the
tunes used for these moments lend
each and every chuppah a unique
emotional texture.
I view my role in these weddings
not just as cantor or entertainer,
but as consultant. In order to cre-
ate a "score" that channels the
couple's individual personality,
I provide them with a range of
options for each musical moment
and give ideas and tips on how to
fit the music into the complex cho-
reography of their chuppah. Some
include pop music in their ceremo-
ny; others keep to the traditional
Hebrew verse. A few grooms will
break the glass underfoot while I
am still singing, "If I Forget Thee
0 Jerusalem," but most will wait
until after the last note, letting the
sound of the shattering signal the
eruption of "Mazel tovI" from the
crowd.
Chuppah music is an art; and
like all good art, it comes together
in the details. Attention to detail
is essential to creating a seamless
esthetic experience for the bride,
groom and assembled guests; and
for my part, is a gesture of love and
dedication toward the marrying
couple.
I begin rehearsing weeks
before the event, nailing
down the perfect tempo, finding
the optimal key for my vocal range
and making certain that I can com-
fortably hit the lowest and highest
notes. When the specifics are set, I
get in touch with the band leader
to bring him or her up to speed.
Come wedding day, I drag the key-
boardist out of the smorgasbord
to run through the set with me in
person, just to be sure that nothing
is left to chance.
There are few acts more gratify-
ing than to enhance the sweet-
ness of the wedding day for dear
friends. I got to experience one of
them recently as I designed and
performed (along with my new
sister-in-law) the vocals for my
own chuppah.
Singing to my glowing bride as
she circled around me seven times,
I felt as though all the time and
care I had put into every previous
chuppah performance, all of the
logistical and esthetic expertise
I had accumulated, all of it was
meant to prepare me for that
moment, for her. ❑
Binyamin Kagedan has an M.A.
in Jewish thought from the Jewish
Theological Seminary of America.
He can be reached at
bkagedan@gmail.com .