Harry and Meghan: Wedding Suggestions and Musings - Page 168

**Ista** · #**3341** 04-24-2018, 10:00 AM

Neither of the links are working for me, either.

I love the idea of having a gospel choir, and am looking forward to seeing the rest of the music program.

ACO · #**3342** 04-24-2018, 10:02 AM

It seems like you have to go directly from the main page.

https://www.royal.uk/royalwedding

Click on the music one. It is all there.

Rudolph · #**3343** 04-24-2018, 10:09 AM

A gospel choir. As if I didn’t see that coming from a mile away. Should be an interesting wedding.

**Ista** · #**3344** 04-24-2018, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACO

It seems like you have to go directly from the main page.

https://www.royal.uk/royalwedding

Click on the music one. It is all there.

Thank you!

The music should be wonderful--but I never expected anything else. When you have access to the best in the country, there wouldn't be any excuse for anything less.

WillVictoria · #**3345** 04-24-2018, 10:19 AM

Well in the US gospel choirs (and gospel music) are heavily associated with African American culture and churches. While Meghan didn't seem to grow up particularly religious, maybe the gospel choir is a nod to the African American side of her heritage/upbringing?

Alliec76 · #**3346** 04-24-2018, 10:33 AM

I am very excited about the music announced. It should make for a lovely, uplifting ceremony. And having grown up in a black church and on gospel music, it is just as sacred and revered as any other religious type of music. I've been laying low for a while, but the more new information I hear about the ceremony the more excited I get. I also love that they are giving a young, talented cellist of color the opportunity to share his talent. What an amazing opportunity for him. They are really ensuring that they show off UK talent.

FashionMaven · #**3347** 04-24-2018, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudolph

A gospel choir. As if I didn’t see that coming from a mile away. Should be an interesting wedding.

What do you mean?

Zaira · #**3348** 04-24-2018, 10:55 AM

Sigh, I know some folks will (and are already)clutch their collective pearls at the gospel choir bit or scoff, but I for one am THRILLED! As someone who grew up with gospel music, I think its a lovely and genuine touch. Bring them royals the black church Meghan!

I thought it weird at Carl Philips wedding but makes perfect sense for Harry and Meghan's given her background and the background of her family/mom.

Zaira · #**3349** 04-24-2018, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alliec76

I am very excited about the music announced. It should make for a lovely, uplifting ceremony. And having grown up in a black church and on gospel music, it is just as sacred and revered as any other religious type of music. I've been laying low for a while, but the more new information I hear about the ceremony the more excited I get. I also love that they are giving a young, talented cellist of color the opportunity to share his talent. What an amazing opportunity for him. They are really ensuring that they show off UK talent.

All of this for me too!

I love how intentional and inclusive they are being. I am so happy part of Meghan's heritage will be apart of the ceremony.

Although I am guessing they will skip the broom lol.

FashionMaven · #**3350** 04-24-2018, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaira

Sigh, I know some folks will (and are already) probably clutch their collective pearls at the gospel choir bit or scoff, but I for one am THRILLED! As someone who grew up with gospel music, I think its a lovely and genuine touch. Bring them royals the black church Meghan!

I thought it weird at Carl Philips wedding but makes perfect sense for Harry and Meghan's given her background and the background of her family/mom.

I agree - I saw the KP tweet about this this morning and it brightened my day considerably!

I got even more excited - it's going to be a lovely mix of music at this wedding and I can't wait.

I hope they sing "Total Praise". I might faint if they do. That song gets me every time.

jacqui24 · #**3351** 04-24-2018, 11:04 AM

Quite frankly, I've been very pleased with a lot of decisions they made about this wedding. You can tell that not only is this a royal wedding, but it focuses on including both of their backgrounds and not just the royal part (and yes, I know there were other weddings that had elements from the non-royal as well, so please don't go into defensive mode). From the invitations using American ink printed on British paper to including an organization that Meghan has worked with pre-engagement to inclusion of gospel music, there is a very good balance and showcases both of them.

And I think part of me is happier here because Meghan isn't British, so there was this fear in the back of my mind that some might feel like going overboard to overlook her background in order to get people to accept her. But I'm glad the family seems to have chosen to honor her background as well.

Rudolph · #**3352** 04-24-2018, 11:04 AM

Is because Meghan’s biracial, a gospel choir is part of her heritage? She didn’t grow up in a Baptist or black church.

Has she ever stated she likes gospel music?

wyevale · #**3353** 04-24-2018, 11:06 AM

*To be expected*, I suppose...

FashionMaven · #**3354** 04-24-2018, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudolph

Is because Meghan’s biracial, a gospel choir is part of her heritage? She didn’t grow up in a Baptist or black church.

Has she ever stated she likes gospel music?

Baptist churches are the only places that play gospel music? Huh. I need to go and call my childhood Methodist pastor for violating this rule. Oh and the pastor of this non-denominational church I went to when I lived in CA.

And we actually don't know that much about Meghan's life with her black relatives - they've been remarkably discreet, save one.

Mbruno · #**3355** 04-24-2018, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FashionMaven

I agree - I saw the KP tweet about this this morning and it brightened my day considerably!

I got even more excited - it's going to be a lovely mix of music at this wedding and I can't wait.

I hope they sing "Total Praise". I might faint if they do. That song gets me every time.

The choice of performers is interesting, but it suggests that they are departing somewhat from the traditional Anglican choir music which we heard at William and Kate’s wedding for example to have a more diverse mix of music. I am sure it will be nice, but Meghan will be probably criticized (again) for deviating from English tradition ( I.e. wedding cake 2.0)

Zaira · #**3356** 04-24-2018, 11:09 AM

We can assume she likes gospel since she is including it in her wedding, right?

And yes, being biracial and AA does make gospel music pretty foundational to our heritage. We know Meghan attended church with her AA grandmother when she was younger so perhaps there are hymns from that time period that stuck with her? We also know she went to church many Sundays in college with her AA friend whose father was the pastor of a church so maybe she also enjoyed gospel there.

Also, black baptist is not the only gospel tradition. I attend a Catholic church in DC that is gospel music centered. Our choir is actually rather famous as one of the leading black gospel Catholic choirs.

AlowVera · #**3357** 04-24-2018, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FashionMaven

I agree - I saw the KP tweet about this this morning and it brightened my day considerably!

I got even more excited - it's going to be a lovely mix of music at this wedding and I can't wait.

I hope they sing "Total Praise". I might faint if they do. That song gets me every time.

I agree Total Praise is such a moving song.

FashionMaven · #**3358** 04-24-2018, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaira

We can assume she likes gospel since she is including it in her wedding, right?

And yes, being biracial and AA does make gospel music pretty foundational to our heritage. We know Meghan attended church with her AA grandmother when she was younger so perhaps there are hymns from that time period that stuck with her? We also know she went to church many Sundays in college with her AA friend whose father was the pastor of a predominantly black church.

Also, black baptist is not the only gospel tradition. I attend a Catholic church in DC that is gospel music centered. Our choir is actually rather famous as one of the leading black gospel Catholic choirs.

Ooh - I figured she probably attended church with black relatives as a child, but didn't know she'd gone to church with an AA friend at a baptist church as a kid?

Again - wishing and hoping for "Total Praise" at the ceremony.

I just asked Alexa to play "Total Praise" and had a religious experience at my desk, lol.

Curryong · #**3359** 04-24-2018, 11:15 AM

As a close friend of Meghan's college days was a pastor's daughter and Meghan would spend time with them. She may well have heard baptist music there. And as an Australian Methodist I've been to several gospel concerts in Melbourne and in the US over the years and have enjoyed them.

Charles had a hand in picking much of the music for the Cambridge wedding. I see his hand in the choice of baroque music for this one! Interesting that the young cellist was rung personally by Meghan and asked to play.

AlowVera · #**3360** 04-24-2018, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FashionMaven

Baptist churches are the only places that play gospel music? Huh. I need to go and call my childhood Methodist pastor for violating this rule. Oh and the pastor of this non-denominational church I went to when I lived in CA.

And we actually don't know that much about Meghan's life with her black relatives - they've been remarkably discreet, save one.

I'm not sure why people would have a problem with a gospel church? The church is from England? We do know that MM and her mother attended the Agape Church in LA and their style of music is gospel.

Funny thing about the mother's side, The British press did all they could to call them gang bangers, yet their side is the most discreet. I wonder if they behaved like the Markles would they be given a platform to bully Meghan.....would they be welcomed with open arms to embarrass Meghan on her wedding day.