Jewish weddings are often remembered for the joyful music and entertainment on hand, especially by guests who aren’t of the faith. The right music can make the event a truly extraordinary and marvellous one for all attending. The spirit of Jewish wedding music is founded on the age old tradition to be Mesameach – in other words, the bride and groom on their once-in-a-lifetime occasion
Jewish music at such weddings is so important to the atmosphere of the evening. It is important for couples to consider their guests’ musical tastes and ages. While some of the younger ones might thrill to a heavy metal band, the live Jewish wedding band has to cater for everyone in their performances.
Traditional and modern dance music
Some Jewish couples may hire a DJ, but he is always secondary to the main entertainment – a Jewish music band playing both traditional and modern dance music and songs. The chosen band should of course be familiar with Jewish music as well as contemporary, secular music.
In these modern times, the music used at Jewish weddings tends to lean more towards current and mainstream songs and dance favourites but the vast majority of Jewish wedding celebrations include some traditional Jewish music and dancing. Traditional Jewish music at the party provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the very best songs of the religion associated with the celebration of newly-weds and this too reflects in the traditional dancing.
Medley of popular Jewish music
No more so is this true in Hebrew tradition than the Hora – a medley of popular Jewish music, including the well-known Hava Nagila – ‘come let us be glad’ – and Siman Tov U Mazleltov – ‘may good luck come to us.’ During this section of the dancing it’s also traditional for the guests to dance together in a big circle, with the newly-weds hoisted high into the air on chairs. They then hold opposite ends of a handkerchief and then ‘dance’ with each other while still seated aloft.
The more Orthodox or religious the wedding, the more traditional is the Jewish music and dancing performed. In the more religious weddings men and women still dance separately, on opposite sides of a curtain. The ceremony itself however remains another part of the wedding where Jewish music becomes hugely memorable. There are a number of different musical scores used to mark the entrance of the bride – the most popular including a choral song, Baruch Chaba – which translates as ‘blessed is he’ and the instrumental piece Eshet Chayil – ‘a woman of valour.’ Other religious music may be used, often sung by a choir or a cantor or both.
Versatile musicians and singers in SensationBand
Jewish music for weddings – both traditional and with a modern slant – is a significant part of SensationBand’s extensive performance repertoire. The truly versatile musicians and singers in SensationBand are ever popular with the Barmitzvah and Batmitzvahs crowd in London especially, playing all the favourites among the modern Jewish community. The young, fresh look and feel of the band has a huge appeal and SensationBand offers joyful Simcha music to really hype up traditional Israeli dancing, so much an important part of Jewish wedding ceremony. In searching for the right band for your Jewish wedding in the capital, go online and Google ‘Jewish music London’ and you’ll find SensationBand well placed in your search listings.