Musicians for church music in Giardini Naxos

In the twentieth century, thousands of families left the Ionian coast for America, Australia, Belgium and Germany. Today many of their grandchildren are coming back. Some come back to marry. If you are looking for musicians for church music for a wedding in Giardini Naxos, perhaps for a family arriving from far away, Maestro Ilarion, tenor, accompanies your ceremony with live sacred music, together with the parish organist.

The return

Think of a bride born in Toronto, or Melbourne, or Liège. Her grandfather was a fisherman from Schisò who left with a cardboard suitcase. She grew up hearing his stories: the little harbour, the boats, Etna smoking behind the town, the church where he himself married before leaving.

Now she and her fiancé have decided: the wedding will be there. Guests arrive from three continents. Many have never been to Sicily. Some Italian relatives have never met them in person.

The church is the Church of Santa Maria Raccomandata. Before the ceremony, the bride pauses for a moment on the churchyard and looks at the sea. Then she goes in. The organ starts, the tenor's voice rises, and among the pews the two families, the one that stayed and the one that left, find each other again.

During the Ave Maria the bride's mother, who speaks hesitant Italian, moves her lips. She knows the words: her father taught them to her. It is the moment everyone understands that this journey was not just a wedding. It was a homecoming.

How to organise church music from abroad

• The repertoire is chosen remotely with the couple, in English too.
• The Maestro arranges everything with the parish priest and organist on site.
• Pieces can include chants dear to the family, if the priest approves them.
• On the day the musicians arrive early to test the acoustics.

Church music in Giardini Naxos for every occasion

As well as weddings, the Maestro sings for baptisms, silver and golden anniversaries and vow renewals. He sings in Giardini Naxos, Schisò and Recanati, and in nearby villages: Taormina, Letojanni, Calatabiano, Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, Gaggi, Graniti, Motta Camastra, Francavilla di Sicilia, Castiglione di Sicilia, Moio Alcantara, Malvagna and Roccella Valdemone.

See also the page on church wedding musicians in Giardini Naxos and the one on church music in Fiumefreddo.

After the ceremony

Maestro Ilarion is a tenor and pianist: he can also accompany the reception with elegant live music, perhaps with a few Italian songs the grandparents loved.

Tell us your story with the request for church music.

I travel anywhere: here are all the towns and cities where I sing, near you too.