“Where words fail, music speaks.” These words by Hans Christian Andersen could not ring truer for me. Though I often struggle with spoken prayer, music helps me lift my prayer to God when I don’t know what to say. It amazes me to realize that whether it’s 1620 or 2020, and whether it’s in Latin, English, German, or any other language, composers are continuously finding ways to bring the same Gospel to life through music, and I am passionate about making that experience accessible to other people. My performance of sacred music is my response to Jesus’ words: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15, RSVCE) For me, there is no greater feeling than to be able to share the Good News through an outlet that brings me so much joy. Some of my biggest musical influences are Sandi Patti, Handel’s Messiah, and Matt Maher. I strive to perform in such a way that it evokes the kind of feelings in my audience that these composers’ works do for me: complete and total awe for our God who loves us so much that He gave His only begotten son for us.
-Molly Gaston
-Molly Gaston
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Artist Bio
Molly Gaston was born in Jacksonville, Florida and was raised as a “Navy brat,” moving all around the country during her entire adolescent life. She was brought up in an extremely musical family; singing and dancing were large parts of her family’s gatherings and participating in Mass music was actually “cool” because everyone did it. Her biggest musical role models growing up were her dad and older cousin. From a young age Molly loved to sing, and from the fourth grade on she was a part of any school or church choir she could join. She participated in the concert choir and women’s show choir at Papillion La-Vista South High School, and the concert choir at Bishop John J. Snyder High School in Jacksonville, Florida. In her senior year of high school, she even earned an auditioned spot in the Florida Music Educators Association Women’s All-State Choir. |
Her high school years were a turning point for her involvement in Music Ministry at her parish(es). She began cantoring her sophomore year of high school at St. Gerald Catholic Church in Ralston, and was also a part of the praise and worship band for the confirmation retreats held by her parish in Jacksonville during her junior and senior year.
After graduating high school in 2013, she returned to Nebraska to attend college at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln where she received a B.S. in Geology and a minor in Vocal Performance. During these college years, she was a member of the Big Red Singers show choir, which is what drew her to UNL initially, as well as several other concert choirs. She also continued her ministry as a cantor at the UNL Newman Center and had the great privilege to serve as the Director of Music for the Newman Center for three years. Her unique experiences being trained as a classical vocal student by Dr. Jamie Reimer and being so intimately involved with helping to plan the Newman Center liturgies alongside Father Robert Matya solidified for Molly that music performance and being involved in Mass music were something she was very passionate about and therefore they would be integral parts of her life for many years to come.
Molly and her then-fiancée, Jared, graduated from UNL in December 2016, got married the following summer, and settled down in Gretna, Nebraska. In December 2017, Molly officially launched her own wedding music business, Music by Molly, with the specific goal of helping Catholic couples plan a truly authentic, beautiful, and sacred wedding through the music they choose for their ceremony. In addition to running her business, Molly served as the choir director at her parish, St. Charles Borromeo in Gretna, for four years, and for one of those years served as the Director of Liturgical Ministry as well. Now she continues to cantor and sing in the choir for her parish, and she continues to enjoy providing praise and worship music for parish retreats. She is constantly seeking out opportunities to sing in community choirs such as Voices of Omaha’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah which she has been able to join twice. She also partners up with other musicians to perform at coffee houses, wineries, and the like, performing a wide range of music including 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, classic country, and modern pop music.
After graduating high school in 2013, she returned to Nebraska to attend college at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln where she received a B.S. in Geology and a minor in Vocal Performance. During these college years, she was a member of the Big Red Singers show choir, which is what drew her to UNL initially, as well as several other concert choirs. She also continued her ministry as a cantor at the UNL Newman Center and had the great privilege to serve as the Director of Music for the Newman Center for three years. Her unique experiences being trained as a classical vocal student by Dr. Jamie Reimer and being so intimately involved with helping to plan the Newman Center liturgies alongside Father Robert Matya solidified for Molly that music performance and being involved in Mass music were something she was very passionate about and therefore they would be integral parts of her life for many years to come.
Molly and her then-fiancée, Jared, graduated from UNL in December 2016, got married the following summer, and settled down in Gretna, Nebraska. In December 2017, Molly officially launched her own wedding music business, Music by Molly, with the specific goal of helping Catholic couples plan a truly authentic, beautiful, and sacred wedding through the music they choose for their ceremony. In addition to running her business, Molly served as the choir director at her parish, St. Charles Borromeo in Gretna, for four years, and for one of those years served as the Director of Liturgical Ministry as well. Now she continues to cantor and sing in the choir for her parish, and she continues to enjoy providing praise and worship music for parish retreats. She is constantly seeking out opportunities to sing in community choirs such as Voices of Omaha’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah which she has been able to join twice. She also partners up with other musicians to perform at coffee houses, wineries, and the like, performing a wide range of music including 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, classic country, and modern pop music.
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Favorite/Patron Saint
St. Cecilia, patron saint of music and musicians. I love that St. Cecilia's story teaches us to do everything that we do for the glory of God. Favorite Quote "Qui cantat, bis orat." He who sings, prays twice. - St. Augustine of Hippo |
Molly directing the UNL Newman Center choir, December 2015
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Fun Facts
Growing up in the Navy, I had 9 homes before going off to college: FL, NV, FL, MD, RI, FL, NE, FL, FL, then college in Nebraska.
My absolute favorite TV show is NCIS. I've seen the full series at least 3 or 4 times (as each new season came out).
As a geology major, I have a pretty cool rock collection at home.
Awards and Recognitions
The Knot, Best of Weddings, 2022
The Knot, Best of Weddings, 2021
Featured Work
My business reviews can be found on The Knot, Wedding Wire, and several other places.
Special Appointments
First Annual Archdiocese of Omaha Music Ministry Day of Renewal, Chairman/Main Coordinator, 2021-2022
First Annual Diocese of Lincoln Sacred Music Clinic, Newman Center Liaison, 2016
Professional Groups/Affiliations
Nebraska Catholic Wedding Vendors, co-founder 2022
Fellowship of Catholic Artists, since 2021
Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA), since 2021
Where to Purchase Work
Contact Molly directly or book a free consultation to discuss live music services.
Upcoming Shows/Events
Life is Beautiful: Visual and Performing Art Show, Holy Family Shrine, October 2022
Growing up in the Navy, I had 9 homes before going off to college: FL, NV, FL, MD, RI, FL, NE, FL, FL, then college in Nebraska.
My absolute favorite TV show is NCIS. I've seen the full series at least 3 or 4 times (as each new season came out).
As a geology major, I have a pretty cool rock collection at home.
Awards and Recognitions
The Knot, Best of Weddings, 2022
The Knot, Best of Weddings, 2021
Featured Work
My business reviews can be found on The Knot, Wedding Wire, and several other places.
Special Appointments
First Annual Archdiocese of Omaha Music Ministry Day of Renewal, Chairman/Main Coordinator, 2021-2022
First Annual Diocese of Lincoln Sacred Music Clinic, Newman Center Liaison, 2016
Professional Groups/Affiliations
Nebraska Catholic Wedding Vendors, co-founder 2022
Fellowship of Catholic Artists, since 2021
Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA), since 2021
Where to Purchase Work
Contact Molly directly or book a free consultation to discuss live music services.
Upcoming Shows/Events
Life is Beautiful: Visual and Performing Art Show, Holy Family Shrine, October 2022
Contact Information
Preferred method of contact: Email
Molly meets with clients at public meeting spaces or via virtual platforms.
www.musicbymollyne.com
molly@musicbymollyne.com
(402) 577-0175 (call or text)
Mail: PO Box 390974, Omaha, NE 68139
Hours
M & F: 9am-5pm virtual office hours, in person by appointment
Tu, W, Th, Sa: by appointment only
Su: Closed
Social
Preferred method of contact: Email
Molly meets with clients at public meeting spaces or via virtual platforms.
www.musicbymollyne.com
molly@musicbymollyne.com
(402) 577-0175 (call or text)
Mail: PO Box 390974, Omaha, NE 68139
Hours
M & F: 9am-5pm virtual office hours, in person by appointment
Tu, W, Th, Sa: by appointment only
Su: Closed
Social
Virtual Gallery
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Click photo to enlarge.
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