Is it legal to record some hymns as samples to let people hear your ensemble.

Short clips (not entire songs), recorded and used solely for the purpose of demonstrating competence could arguably be considered "fair use."

Or it might not be.

The problem with "fair use" is that there are no rules about it, no bright line distinction. The four-fold test is a consideration of:

1. the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
2. the nature of the copyrighted work;
3. the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
4. the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

(1) is tricky- it's church (non-profit), but you're a paid professional (commercial). Although it doesn't say that commercial uses are wrong- just that this is to be considered.

(2) is trickier- the nature of the work is... what? It's music. Okay? So what?

(3) suggests that erring toward an excerpt, instead of a full recording, would put you on the right side of fairness.

(4) is a shoe-in. Your sampler recording has no negative effect on the potential market or value of the work. It may even have a positive effect, as it could lead to additional performance royalties.

And what about the videographer who records the entire service? I'm not aware of any copyright clearances for that.

I don't receive any extra stipends for weddings or funerals, but when I freelance in this area it's less than 1/2 of Olbash! Maybe it's time to relocate. :)

I'm individually contracted by the couple, specifically the bride and groom, to play for weddings, and I collect my fees directly. I don't work with mothers of brides, wedding consultants or the notorious "event planner". I don't even work with soloists if they contact me and say, "I've been asked by the bride to sing for her wedding, and here are the songs we've chosen." I calmly say, "I'm the music director at this parish, and it is my duty and obligation to safeguard the practices of the parish with respect to the music. If you have an issue with this, please contact the pastor."

I absolutely insist on meeting with the couple in person (not the mother of the bride, not the coordinator, not the event planner . . . the bride and the groom) at the church to discuss and play through various music options. This is to my mind the professional way to handle it. If you have a large volume of weddings (all at the same parish), then coordinate a series of familiarization "concerts" where you and a group of soloists perform excerpts of pieces available from your repertoire that the couple can select. Otherwise, by using CD's and the like, the music selection process becomes impersonal and rather utilitarian.

With respect to video taping, if the bride (or the bride's mother) has been a pain in the lower extremities, I give the videographer all kinds of trouble if he starts taping me. "I'm sorry, but you do not have my permission to record any part of this event when I'm playing." Same with the photographer if they start snapping pics of me while I'm warming up. "Who said you could take my picture?"

$200.00 for organist. Couples fill out a form for music selections and readings:
http://bit.ly/SEASwedding
One of my projects over the next few weeks will be recording samples of everything listed on there. Almost everything is PD (the tunes anyway; I won't be recording with a singer) so I don't have the copyright issue.

@David Andrew
I'm wondering if you have written policies in place to prohibit the videographer from taping you or the soloist from thinking she can sing anything she wants? It seems a little awkward to talk to the video person on the wedding day, if that's what you do. Where I play it's crystal clear that the only soloists who sing for weddings are those pre-approved and hired by the music director. Having things clearly in writing makes for less hassle later.