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I Guess It’s Just Me: The Unexpected Power of Music at a Wedding

Regretting my small purse choice, I had no tissues to catch my tears. The ceremony was more than a wedding; it was like a concert intertwined with vows. The choir’s rendition of “There Will I Be” by Craig Courtney, accompanied by piano, flute, and two cellos, was so beautiful that I couldn’t hold back my tears. The description of this song on the publisher’s website says it best:

“By combining two scriptures from the books of Ruth and the gospel of John, Craig Courtney has fashioned a compelling essay on friendship and brotherhood that reaches to the depths of the soul. Noble musical gestures and exquisite string accompaniments come together in a song for the ages. This is an unforgettable offering in churches for missionary commissions, and an equally penetrating sacred concert work for military tributes or memorial services.” –JWPepper.com

Looking around the historical church in Hershey, Pennsylvania, desperate for camaraderie, I couldn’t spot another teary-eyed guest. Was it just me?

Maybe it was because this year marks my 35th wedding anniversary, and the commitment echoes my own journey. “Where you die, I will die . . .” resonated deeply as Tom and I talk often about the second half of our lives . . .

Or perhaps it was the perfect blend of lyrics, melody, and setting resonating with me as a musician, who had in a way committed myself to my music just as naively as I promised to love my husband, no matter what.

“I guess it’s just me,” I whispered to myself when I couldn’t see any other wedding guests crying.

At the reception, two strangers joined my table. Discovering that the woman had been in the choir, I complimented her on the music. She confessed she had fought back tears while singing. “Our choir director said that our job was to make people cry,” she shared. Her comment made me feel less alone. Good for them! Mission accomplished.

Later, I thanked the choir director, mentioning my lack of tissues. She laughed and said, “I always tell my choir, ‘Your job as a choir is to make people wish they had brought their Kleenex.’” I replied, “Well, I passed that test!”

The Power of Music to Move Us

Music has an incredible ability to touch our hearts and connect us. At this wedding, I was reminded of its profound impact, whether through a beautiful arrangement, a shared experience, or the unexpected tears it brings to our eyes. It’s moments like these that make us realize the universal language of music and its power to bring us together, no matter where we are. Music, after all, makes our broken world beautiful.

As a freelance musician, sometimes I need to take a step back from my various roles, leave behind the daily grind of rehearsals and fundraising, and be reminded of the power of music.

There’s no better way to remember than to sit and be the one listening, and the only one crying.