Organ Policy for Wedding Use

The Shove Chapel Organ at Colorado College is an historic instrument that represents the best American tradition of organ building of the 1920′s.  In 1998 it was cited at the National Convention of the Organ Historical Society as being one of the significant instruments in the United States.  In 2000 a state-of-the-art console was installed as part of a quarter-million dollar renovation.  The organ is a valuable and integral feature of Shove Chapel and each of its performances must be a positive reflection of the standard and quality of music at the Chapel as well as a credit to the College as a whole.
While arrangements for weddings at Shove Memorial Chapel at
Colorado College are made with the Chapel Manager, wedding organ music is provided by separate agreement with the organist.

Organists and Fees
Only authorized organists may play for your wedding.  Authorized organists have spent many years studying (obtaining academic degrees) and performing.  They have also held significant positions as church musicians throughout the world.
Because every instrument is unique, even very experienced performers must make adjustments to adapt to a particular instrument.  The musicians who are entitled to play the Shove organ have, through years of practice and performance, become familiar with this instrument.  Hence, they are able to play the organ to its fullest and best advantage, thereby providing the highest quality performance possible on the instrument.
There are generally four parts of wedding music planning for which fees may be charged.
Musical consultation:  The organist discusses music choices for the wedding, normally by phone and/or with an audio tape.
Soloist rehearsal:  The organist has a working rehearsal (usually about an hour long) with the soloist(s) to set tempos and balance and to perfect the presentation.
Wedding rehearsal:  The organist is present at the wedding rehearsal to play the processional and recessional.
Wedding:  The organist plays for the wedding, including a 15 – 20 minute pre-service recital, processional, recessional, and/or incidental organ music during the service.

As College Organist, I play for most weddings in Shove Chapel.  Please contact me several months prior to your wedding date.  If you e-mail me, please put “Shove wedding” in the subject line.

Frank Shelton
College Organist
(719) 630-8114
Baps27@msn.com
3/5/08

Weddings at Shove

General Information
Shove Memorial Chapel is an integral part of Colorado College. The campus is home to about 1,900 students, as well as the faculty and staff who make this a place of learning and discovery.  Chapel policies reflect the educational context of this private, residential, liberal arts institution.
As an inter-faith college chapel (rather than a local church), the Chapel’s primary responsibility is to the Colorado College community.  Thus, we cannot provide on-campus facilities for private wedding receptions or parties.  However, the chapel building is available for a limited number of private wedding ceremonies, as the academic schedule permits.  Please be aware that there may be college or community functions taking place in the grassy area directly west of the chapel and that the chapel does not have control over that scheduling.

The Chapel Code
A wedding at Shove Chapel  costs:

For CC-affiliated persons (bride, groom, or close family on either side are alumni, currently matriculated, or currently employed), 2008: $125.00

Others, 2008: $675.00

CC-affiliated, 2009: $150.00

Others, 2009: $700.00

This fully refundable fee includes:
four hours of Chapel use:  1 hour for the rehearsal and 3 hours on the day of the wedding (11/2 hours prior to and 11/2 hours after the start of the wedding ceremony);
the logistical services of the Chapel Wedding Assistant at the rehearsal and the wedding;
any sound system or amplification equipment desired, including microphones and CD/cassette player;
the use of the grand piano and any chancel furniture you desire (table, lectern, pulpit);
use of the floor-standing unity candle holder with two dripless tapers (you supply the unity candle).
Payment of the fee is requested within two weeks of your wedding booking to secure the date/time.

If you wish, you may schedule a meeting prior to your rehearsal with the Chapel Manager, Linda Madden, during weekday office hours.  Linda will be happy to show you around the Chapel, discuss lighting and sound system options, and address any other concerns or questions you have about the Chapel.  Alternatively, these discussions can happen over the phone or at the rehearsal.

Especially in spring and summer months, wedding scheduling is very tight, with several weddings each weekend!  For this reason, it is very important that your rehearsal and your wedding ceremony begin and end at the designated times.  Decorating prior to your reserved time is not allowed.  Please do your best to make sure all of the participants are here on time and that everyone in your party exits the Chapel promptly at the end of your reserved times.  An additional charge of $100.00 per hour (or part of) may be assessed if the reserved times are exceeded by anyone in your party, including photographers and ministers.

You may rent our 7-candle candelabras (including dripless candles) for $30.00 per pair.  Four pair are available.  “Pewlabras” are available from local florists or rental companies.

Birdseed may be thrown outside the Chapel, but no rice, streamers, or paper products of any kind are permitted.  Scattering of flowers or petals is not allowed inside or outside of the Chapel.

No consumption of alcoholic beverages is allowed inside the Chapel or on the adjacent grounds.  The building is a no-smoking area.

Your respect for the beauty and majesty of this sacred place
will create a splendid wedding day!

Common Questions about Wedding Arrangements at Shove Chapel

Is there a place for the bride and her attendants to put on their gowns?
A portion of the west entry area is partitioned by a heavy velvet curtain for use by the women in the wedding party.  A full-length mirror, tables and chairs and the entrance to the ladies’ room are inside the area.
What should my minister or master of ceremonies know in advance?
Please encourage the person who will preside at your wedding to stop by Shove and become familiar with the building.  Since it is important that the ceremony itself be prepared before the rehearsal, your presider should meet with you several weeks in advance to plan the service and identify any items or issues to be brought to the attention of the Chapel Manager.  Your presider should be aware of the exact rehearsal and ceremony starting times and be prepared to direct the rehearsal.
What are your photography guidelines?
In choosing a photographer, it is wise to mention that the lighting in Shove Chapel is limited and/or ask to see examples of wedding work shot in Shove.  Extra lighting such as floodlights is generally not appropriate during the ceremony, but not prohibited.  You may have flash photography during the ceremony if you wish.  Your photographer should be aware of your 3-hour time limit and plan the photographing session so that it will end on time.
Can I use a professional florist to decorate the pews and chancel area?
Certainly!  Just be sure you verify your reserved 3-hour time slot with the florist.  This is the window of time that the building is available for decorating and removal of all decorations.  The florist may not begin decorating before that time. Even if you don’t plan to keep the floral arrangements, all decorations must be removed by the end of your reserved time.
What kinds of decorations are allowed in the Chapel?
Decorations such as flower arrangements and/or candelabra can be placed in the chancel area on the platform floor or the table.  Pew-end decorations such as bows, flowers, or candles may be placed or fastened in a non-scarring method.  An aisle runner may be placed in the center aisle.  Except for the unity candle, all candles must be “dripless.”  Please check with the Chapel Manager if you have other ideas for decoration that have not been mentioned here.  Please do not use tacks, nails or tape (other than masking tape) anywhere in the chapel.
What are your guidelines for wedding music?
Live or recorded instrumental and vocal music of all kinds is permitted.  The grand piano is available at no additional charge, unless you want it specially tuned, in which case you will be responsible for charges.  Use of the Chapel organ must be negotiated with the College Organist.  If wedding musicians need a practice in addition to the wedding rehearsal, they should schedule it with the Chapel Manager during open building hours.
Does the Chapel have a sound system?
There is an excellent sound system for your use in amplification and/or the playing of pre-recorded music, at no extra charge.  The Chapel will provide microphones; a lavaliere (lapel) microphone is available for your presider.  Please designate someone to be in the sound booth at both rehearsal and wedding to play pre-recorded music.
Are children allowed in this Colorado College building?
Yes, we welcome children to your wedding.   However, children who are in the Chapel must be supervised by an adult at all times.  Neither Shove Chapel nor Colorado College is responsible for any injury a child might sustain through unsupervised play on the slate floors or stairs or near the heavy swinging doors.
Is the Chapel wheel chair accessible?
Yes, the ramp access to the Chapel is on the northeast side of the building.  Additionally, an accessible restroom is available at the Chapel’s southeast entry.  Please contact the Chapel Manager for further information.
Where can we park our vehicles?
Wedding guests may park on surrounding streets or in college parking lots. The closest lot enters from Cache La Poudre, between Nevada and Cascade.   For clarification, maps of the college campus are available at the Chapel office.
Are vehicles allowed to drive up to the west doors?
Yes, a limited number of vehicles, such as a limousine, antique car or carriage, a florist delivery truck, or private vehicle for handicapped or elderly persons, may be driven to a Chapel entrance.   One vehicle may be parked outside the west entrance during the ceremony.  Stay on the gravel paths that cross the quad.  The paths can be accessed at the northwest corner of the parking lot on Cache La Poudre Street.
Can wedding guests visit the Shove Chapel bell tower during the wedding time?
No one is allowed in the tower during the rehearsal or wedding ceremony.   Visitors are very welcome at other times!

The Chaplain’s Office and Colorado College are not responsible for any personal items of the wedding party or guests, or decorations of the florist or rental company, that are left unattended in the chapel before, during or after the ceremony.