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Memorial Services

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Christian Nielsen

Board-Certified Music Therapist, Musician, Composer

Memorial Music Services

 

 

  • Guitar & Voice
  • Native American Flutes
  • Instrumental Guitar
  • Ukulele and vocal rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” done “Iz” style
  • Ethnic Percussion & Other instruments
  • Additional keyboard accompanists available

Music for

  • Memorial, “Celebration of Life”, and Funeral Services
  • Visitations times and Wakes
  • Prayer Services
  • Grave-site services
  • Interactive group bereavement music experiences

Experience

  • 100’s of memorial services and visitations (+ 25 years of performing experience)
  • Over 10 years working with patients and bereaved families through hospice agencies as a board certified music therapist.
  • Involvement in many large group remembrance services for hospice, hospital, health care, and faith-based groups through performing, speaking, creating, and consulting.
  • Performance in services with a wide range of religious, spiritual, and cultural traditions.
  • Involvement in many grief camps and retreats
  • Performing & speaking in many venues, from health care to churches- often related to healing and grief.

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My hospice music therapy experience has given me the ability to adapt to many situations and provide a healing presence through the music. It helps me tailor music specifically to each person. Many say I have a sensitivity and reflective quality not found in other musicians. I am generally self-contained and portable, using guitar, voice, Native American flutes and many other instruments. I do most events solo, but can work with keyboard accompanists and other musicians. I have several people I work with regularly, or can work with other musicians*. My repertoire includes most traditional hymns and spirituals, liturgical music, limited contemporary Christian music, folk music, Music from 1900’s– current music in many styles, Native American flute music, and more. A partial repertoire list is available to download below. Memorials are a time to reflect, remember, mourn, and celebrate. It is my goal to provide a musical experience that meets these needs. I also offer audio support as well.

 
 
Music Service Descriptions:

Visitation and/or Pre-Service vocal music

A collection of music played in a calming and comforting style using guitar and voice, instrumental guitar, Native American flutes, and other instruments. More upbeat selections can be included as appropriate. Music choices are based on family preferences. Playing time here can range from 15 minutes to up to two 50 minute blocks of time (with a 10-15 minute break between sets- recorded music is available during that time). This may also be used during a private family meditation time or during other times around the service. This is very helpful in creating a safe, supportive, healing and sacred atmosphere to support the grieving and remembering process.

Guitar and Vocal Solo

Guitar and Vocal solos can be incorporated into the service. I have a wide repertoire of music, or I can learn something for the event. A pianist can be added to accompany myself or the entire service. The entire service music may also be accompanied and led with guitar. This is an excellent option for outdoor services or when the preference is for a simple, yet tasteful service. While some contemporary religious music is available, I specialize in more traditional comforting hymns, and other non-religious spiritual and comforting songs from all eras (from folk to the Beatles to U2), and instrumental music played in a contemplative style. I am always open to learning new material for a service, so please ask.

Native American Flute

The Native American cedar flute is and instrument that comes from the woodland American Indian nations. It is traditionally made from the heart of the cedar tree. It is an improvised instrument used for meditation and is to be played from the heart. It is capable of capturing and conveying a wide range of emotions. I have used this instrument with great success many group and individual services. This sound can add a great deal to a service and is also very effective at marking transitions in a service. I am frequently asked to play the flute at graveside ceremonies. It may also be used as, or combined with Guitar and Voice for visitation and/or preservice music.

Ceremonial & Meditative Percussion

Gongs, Tibetan Meditation Chimes, Indian Singing Bowl, Rain Sticks, Wind Chimes, Frame Drums & Rattles (Native American Style), other percussion. These can add a nice touch to a ceremony when used in appropriate places.

Interactive Musical Experiences 

This can range from call and response singing all the way to Drum Circle ceremonies. Several experiences designed to incorporate children are available. Please contact me for more information.

Other Services

  • Additional keyboardists or other instrumentalists (most instruments are available)
  • Additional vocalists
  • Instrument, sound, and video rental available (call or email for information)
  • Sound / Audio Technical & audiovisual services available

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Click here to download a partial repertoire list

Audio Samples- More Audio Samples of Christian's Music (click here)

Memorial Service Fees (click here)

"Whether you're (Christian) singing or playing- it's not like other musicians- it's just so healing- that must be because you use music to heal others every day."

-Clergy

"When you (Christian) sing and play, it just makes a gentle healing atmosphere for the families and loved ones. I wish we could offer this to every family."

-Funeral Director

"That flute just captures all the feelings of sorrow and hope, and all of our prayers- it's like they just swirl together with the notes and they all lift up to Heaven"

-Clergy

"I'm so glad we could have all of Tom's old favorite songs, from 'Let It Be' to 'In The Garden', all played on guitar and sung so beautifully- they all fit together the way you played them- and the flute was so comforting- it was just exactly the way he would have wanted it."

-Brother of deceased

"I'll always hear "Eagles Wings" as a guitar song from now on. I didn't think it would work so well with just the guitar accompaniment, especially with the congregation singing the refrains, but it was so beautiful and intimate that way. The guitar and the Native American flute made a wonderful contrast to the organ in the service."

-Memorial service participant and professional organist

"You played my mom home"

-Daughter of deceased

Biography

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Christian Nielsen is a board certified music therapist, composer, musician, recording artist, and music producer. He has a degree in music therapy from Augsburg College in Minneapolis and trained at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. He is in private practice as a music therapist, providing end-of-life music therapy services to individual clients and to organizations such as Ridgeview Medical Center Hospice. For over 10 years Christian has used his music to assist people and their families with their difficult physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges as they prepare to leave this life and enter the next. He also does group music therapy for all ages, and works with people who have chronic pain. This has given him a great insight and perspective as a music performer. Christian also provides music performance, workshops, and music therapy group services to bereavement programs around the Twin Cities area, including programs at Children's Hospital, Methodist Hospital, Park Nicollet Hospice, Allina Hospitals, Fairview Ridges Hospital, Southern Metropolitan Grief Coalition and many others. He has also presented at state, regional, and national conferences.

As a performer, Christian has played at many Minnesota churches. A few of those churches include Wesley United Methodist Church (Mpls.), Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church (Mpls.), St. Mark's Episcopal Church (Mpls.), Plymouth Congregational Church (Mpls.), Westminster Presbyterian Church (Mpls.), Central Lutheran Church (Mpls.), Unity Untitarian Church (St. Paul), Centenary United Methodist Church (Mankato), St. Therese Catholic Church (Minnetonka) Stillwater United Methodist Church, Waconia Moravian Church, Delano United Methodist Church, Faith Lutheran Church (Waconia), and many others. Christian has played for memorials at churches and funeral homes throughout the west metro and rural areas west of the metro area. He also performs concerts as he is available during the year. Christian also has several recordings of relaxation and meditation music (available on this web site- see links below).

Whether you chose to ask me to come play one song, or to assist in planning music for an entire service, I would be honored to do what I can. If you have recently experienced a loss, I wish you peace in this difficult time.

 
 
For urgent dates you may also call:
952-221-1857
(Responses to calls or Emails generally will occur within 1-2 hours unless I'm on vacation)
 
 
As in my music therapy practice, I am willing to serve people of all cultures, races, and faiths to the best of my abilities. The love of God comes in many forms and I always respect the spiritual journeys of those I serve. I have performed for memorial services for people of many faithes: Most Christian Denominations, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Islam (reception), Jewish traditions, Native American Beliefs, Humanism, Atheism, and others.
 
Sketch by David Olson