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WEDDING INFORMATION
Alice Millar Chapel
& Jeanne Vail Chapel
Northwestern University
1870 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208-1350
Phone: 847-491-7256
Fax: 847-491-7353
Congratulations on your engagement!
We hope this information will be helpful to you as
you inquire about having your wedding in the Alice
Millar Chapel and Religious Center (Millar and Vail
Chapels).
Eligibility. In order to use Millar
or Vail Chapel for a wedding, the bride or groom must
be affiliated with Northwestern University. Affiliates
are: students, faculty and staff of Northwestern, graduates
of the university, or immediate family members of faculty,
administrators or staff. Reservations are accepted
no more than one year prior to the date of the wedding.
Seating Capacity. The seating capacity
of Millar Chapel is approximately 700. Most weddings
in Millar have one to two hundred guests, though there
is no minimum requirement. Vail Chapel seats approximately
125.
Officiating. The university chaplain
and assistant university chaplain officiate at many
wedding ceremonies. They would be happy to speak with
you about their availability. You may also invite other
clergy to officiate at your wedding ceremony.
Fees for weddings in Millar and Vail Chapels.
A non-refundable deposit of $100 (check made payable
to Northwestern University) is due at the time the reservation
is made. The remainder is due at least one month before
the wedding.
Millar Chapel
Standard fee: $400
If bride or groom is a current student at the time of the wedding: $300
Vail Chapel
Standard fee $300
If bride or groom is a current student at the time of the wedding: $250
Clergy honorarium. It is customary
to provide an honorarium to the officiating clergy.
The standard honorarium for the clergy of the university
chapel is $250.
Musician fees.
Organist: without soloist $200
with one soloist $225
personal meeting with couple $50
conducting rehearsal $75
Soloist: (instrumental or vocal) $175
Checks for clergy and musician should be made payable
to the individual.
For most weddings, a student security monitor will
be present open the building and offer any necessary
assistance. For some extraordinary dates, it may be
necessary to hire a university custodian to cover the
wedding. In that case, an additional charge of $150
may be added.
Scheduling. Weddings are scheduled
three hours apart. Events may not be scheduled simultaneously
in both chapels. For weddings, the building is available
one hour before the wedding, the hour of the wedding
and one hour after the wedding.
A bride’s room and groom’s room are available.
They will be opened one hour before the wedding.
A rehearsal is usually scheduled the evening before
the wedding. Rehearsals are limited to one hour. Members
of the wedding party should be encouraged to arrive
on time, so that the rehearsal hour can be used productively
and the rehearsal completed in the time allotted.
Other regulations for wedding ceremonies.
- Flowers. We recommend that flowers
be limited to one or two pieces on or near the Holy
Table/Altar. Aisles (both center and side) and the
pews of the chapels are not to be decorated with
flowers, bows, candles, or any other material. (Since
we cannot guarantee that the building will be open
more than one hour before the wedding, careful arrangements
should be made for the delivery of flowers.)
- Candles. Candles on the Holy Table/Altar
will be lighted for you one half hour before the
ceremony begins. The lighting of a unity candle or
wedding candle is permitted and may be placed on
the Holy Table/Altar. Wedding candles and candle
holders must be provided by you. No other candles
or candelabras are permited.
- Aisle runner. If you choose to
have an aisle runner, you are responsible for all
arrangements concerning it, including attaching it
to the floor at the front of the chapel. Arrangements
are usually made with the florist. Disposable aisle
runners will be picked up by the chapel staff. Arrangements
to pick up non-disposable aisle runners will be your
responsibility. The length of the aisle in Millar
Chapel is 115 feet. In Vail Chapel, the aisle is
45 feet long.
- Flower petals. Flower petals may
be distributed in the aisle only if there is an aisle
runner.Rice may not be used in the chapels or on
the grounds.
- Rice may not be used in the chapels
or on the grounds.
- Photography is permitted during
wedding ceremonies if it is done quietly and unobtrusively.
The use of flash during the wedding is prohibited.
Flash may be used during the processional and recessional.
Professional photographers should remain behind the
congregation. The bride and groom are responsible
for informing wedding photographers of chapel regulations.
- Videotaping of wedding ceremonies
may only be done with the permission of the officiating
clergy. Video cameras must be placed in a fixed location
behind the congregation. No additional lighting may
be used.
Contact us: For more information,
or to schedule your wedding, contact the Chapel Assistant,
at 847-491-7256 or <chaplain@northwestern.edu>.
The fees and regulations described in this document are subject to change.
Wedding Music at Alice Millar Chapel
Dr. Stephen Alltop, Director of Music
swa440@northwestern.edu
Phone: 847. 491-2299 Fax: 847. 491-7353
The musical staff of Alice Millar Chapel seeks to assist you in planning beautiful and meaningful music for your wedding ceremony. We hope you will find this packet and CD helpful and convenient.
The pipe organ in Millar Chapel is a 100 rank four-manual Aeolian-Skinner, and one of the most magnificent organs in the region. The pipe organ in Vail Chapel is a two-manual mechanical action organ from 1864 (significantly restored). We have provided musical suggestions on the CD which can be nicely realized on either organ.
In keeping with the nature of weddings as worship gatherings, the Director of Music and Chapel Organists have the responsibility of maintaining an appropriate musical quality. We do not use explicitly non-sacred works such as operatic marches from Wagner’s Lohengrin (“Here’s Comes the Bride”), or the Wedding March from Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.
There are basically four parts of the wedding service which call for music:
The Prelude - music played prior to the service while guests are being seated. Prelude music generally begins 15 minutes before the Processional. Generally 15 to 20 minutes of music is planned
The Processional - the music to which the wedding party enters the church
The Service - the main part of the ceremony can include quite a bit of music, or none at all, depending on your preferences. Some couples decide to have vocal or instrumental pieces, perhaps a congregational hymn, while others have no music between the Processional and Recessional
The Recessional - the music to which the wedding party exits the church, followed by the guests.
A Word About Vocal Pieces: The use of vocal soloists is welcomed. Excellent singers are available from the Alice Millar Chapel Choir, and the greater Chicago area. The CD includes some suggestions for vocal music. Since every singer's repertoire is different, it is best to consult with the soloist in selecting vocal repertoire.
Soloists usually sing one to three selections. In the standard wedding ceremony, solos often come just before the Processional, after the Questions, after the Pastoral Prayer, or at the Lighting of the Candle. Any text that is appropriate for a religious service may be used for the wedding ceremony. If you have a favorite secular song, consider having it played during your wedding reception.
Some Common Questions
How should I use this packet and CD?
Please read this material completely and listen to the CD as much as you like. Couples may wish to include other family members in the selection process. Contact Stephen Alltop at any time to ask questions, and to help finalize your choices. Please send your selections by email to Stephen Alltop (swa440@northwestern.edu) as far in advance as possible before your wedding. All wedding parties, regardless of whether they are utilizing Chapel musical staff, must submit their musical plans to Director of Music in writing no later than 1 month prior to their wedding.
Am I limited to the selections listed here?
The pieces listed here and heard on the wedding CD are offered as suggestions. We will be happy to accommodate appropriate requests for other repertoire whenever possible.
How do we engage organists, additional musicians, or soloists?
The Director of Music will be happy to engage whatever musicians you may desire. Wedding parties should request any musicians to be engaged by the Director of Music in writing as far in advance as possible, preferably by email. Please note that, once a musician’s services are engaged at the request of the wedding party, the wedding party is responsible for compensating that musician in accordance with the established fees. Some of Chicago's finest musicians perform in ceremonies at Millar Chapel, so it is recommended that arrangements be made as far in advance as possible to ensure their availability. If you desire one or more trumpets, a brass quartet or quintet, excellent players can be engaged from the Millar Brass Ensemble.
The Director of Music will be happy to engage a soloist on your behalf. Professional singers of every voice type can be engaged.
If you wish to arrange for a soloist on your own, please be aware of the following requirements:
The soloist(s) should be of professional vocal quality and capable of projecting without amplification.
If organ or piano accompaniment is required by the organist, music must be provided at least two weeks prior to the wedding in the key and specific arrangement required by the soloist.What are the musician's fees?
Organist: Wedding without Soloist or Instrumentalist - $200.00
Wedding Ceremony with One Soloist or Instrumentalist - $225.00 Personal Meeting in addition to phone consultations - $50.00
If organist must oversee rehearsal in place of a minister - $75.00
Instrumental or Vocal soloist: $175.00
When is the music rehearsed? Does the Organist attend the rehearsal?
Musicians will coordinate and rehearse selections prior to the wedding ceremony. Chapel organists generally do not attend rehearsals for ceremonies officiated by Chapel clergy (they will confer on order and cues prior to ceremony). When guest clergy are involved, organists will attend rehearsals whenever possible to confirm cues for the Processional, Recessional, and any other music in the ceremony. Chapel Organists generally do not play at wedding rehearsals.
When should the musician's be paid?
Musician’s honoraria should be mailed or delivered to Alice Millar Chapel no later than one week prior to the wedding (c/o Dr. Stephen Alltop, Director of Music, Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208). Please provide checks made out to the individual musicians.
Wedding Music Checklist
- Receive CD and Packet upon reserving Chapel for Wedding Ceremony
- Review CD and packet. Contact Director of Music with any questions.
- Submit request for Organist or any additional musicians by email to Director of Music as far in advance as possible.
- Send musical selections to Director of Music by email as soon as possible. Selections must be submitted at least one month prior to ceremony (required of all wedding parties).
- Musician’s honoraria sent or delivered to Director of Music at Alice Millar Chapel at least one week prior to wedding ceremony.
Wedding Music at Millar Chapel:
A Recording to Assist Brides and Grooms in Planning Their Ceremony
Suggested Wedding Music Selections:
Prelude (Generally, four or five selections; approx. 20 min. of music)
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme ("Sleepers Wake") (O, T) J. S. Bach
Air de Trompette (T) G. P. Telemann
In dir ist Freude ("In Thee is Gladness") (O) J. S. Bach
(Zimbelstern, or bell cluster in Millar only)
Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring (O, T, Str., arr. for others) J. S. Bach
Toccata G. B. Martini
Sonata in E-flat Major (O) W. A. Mozart
Arioso (O, Str.) J. S. Bach
Trumpet Tunes and Airs (T) G. P. Telemann
La Majestie - La Grace - Con bravura
Sonata 1, Trumpet solo, 1st movement (T) G. Viviani
Sonata 1, Trumpet solo, Presto (T) G. Viviani
Sonatina in C Major (for Two Trumpets) (2 T) Johann Pezel
Air from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major (Str., O) J.S. Bach
Processional (Generally, one piece is played)
The Prince of Denmark's March (O, T, arr. for others) Jeremiah Clarke
Trumpet Tune (T) Philip B. Catelinet
Trumpet Tune in D Major David N. Johnson
Processional in E-flat Major (O, T) David N. Johnson
Prelude to Te Deum (T) Marc-Antoine Charpentier
Voluntary in C Major for Two Trumpets and Organ (O, 2 T) Henry Purcell
March from Parthenope (O, T) G. F. Handel
Recessional (Generally, one is selected, sometimes two)
Rondeau (O, T, arr. for others) * Jean Joseph Mouret
Hornpipe from Water Music (O, T, arr. for others) * G. F. Handel
Concerto for Two Trumpets (2 T) Antonio Vivaldi
The Rejoicing from the Royal Fireworks Music (Str., O, T) G.F. Handel
Trumpet Tune (O, T, arr. for others) * Jeremiah Clarke
Finale from Organ Concerto No. 5 (O, Str.) G. F. Handel
"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" (O, T, others) Hymn, arr. from Beethoven
* These Recessionals could also be used as Processionals
Vocal Solos (Generally, one to three are selected)
Ave Maria Franz Schubert
Bist du bei mir (usually soprano or tenor) J. S. Bach
Wedding Song Heinrich Schuetz
The Lord's Prayer Flor Peeters
The Call Ralph Vaughan Williams
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Suggestions not heard on CD:
O Lord Most Holy César Franck
The Lord's Prayer Malotte
Simple Song (from Mass - usually soprano or tenor) Leonard Bernstein
Selections may be faxed to Stephen Alltop at 847.491-7353,
or sent by e-mail to swa440@northwestern.edu
Explanation of Instrumental Key for Wedding CD
O = organ; T = trumpet (with organ);
Str. = String Quartet;
Example: Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring (O, T, Str., arr. for others) J. S. Bach
(This selection can be played by organ alone, organ and trumpet, strings, or with a number of other instruments)
Air de Trompette (T) G. P. Telemann
(This selection can be played when a trumpet is used, but not by organ alone)
Sonata in E-flat Major (O) W. A. Mozart
Stephen Alltop has served as Director of Music at Alice Millar Chapel since 1994. He has been a member of the conducting faculty at Northwestern University since 1992. As a harpsichordist and organist, Stephen Alltop has performed with a number of professional ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Chamber Musicians, Chicago Symphony Chamber Musicians, Chicago Philharmonic, Joffrey Ballet, Omaha; Symphony Chamber Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony; Minnesota Orchestra and at the Ravinia Festival. He has recorded on the Albany, American Gramaphone and Cedille labels. Dr. Alltop has been the Music Director of the Apollo Chorus of Chicago, Chicago’s oldest musical organization, since 1997. He also serves as Music Director of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra in Illinois, and Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra in Wyoming.
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