Welcome to The Latter-day Saint Organist's Resource Blog

The purpose of this blog is to help pianists learn to become true organists. Many individuals believe that if you play the piano you can play the organ, but the instruments differ greatly. While this blog is specifically geared towards members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, much of the information shared can be utilized by all. I hope that the information I share here will help you become an effective organist in your ward, stake, or other congregation.

Feel free to browse and search this blog. It was started in January 2010 and while new posts aren't added very often, this blog contains a wealth of information and is a wonderful resource for all organists. If you're a new reader, you can find the first lesson here: Before We Begin: Acquiring the Essentials. Also, please "like" the corresponding facebook page, which is updated more often. A link is provided on the right sidebar, or you can click here.

Thanks for visiting!

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Sunday Song: Toccata from the Suite Gothique

This is the Tocatta from the Suite Gothique by Boellmann, played on a 23 rank Moller pipe organ. Happy Halloween!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Sunday Song: Disney's Haunted Mansion Organ

Happy Halloween! This post is a little early. Enjoy!

Monday, October 18, 2010

More great posts coming soon

I have some great posts planned, but I just haven't had the time to sit down and get them written out. I'm directing a stake production and it has been taking most of my free time. The final performance is November 5th, and I'm hoping to have a little more free time after that.

My next lesson will be on proper hand position. I'm really excited to get it written and posted, and it's high on my priority list. I'm hoping to finish it soon. Thanks for sticking with me.

Stay tuned!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Sunday Song: Suite Medievale, 1st Movement

Jean Langlais plays the 1st Movement from the Suite Medievale at St John's RC Cathedral, Salford, on the 4-manual Makin digital organ.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Sunday Song: The Stars and Stripes Forever, Duet

Andrew Unsworth & Richard Elliott play The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa; arr. Robert Cundick on the LDS Conference Center Organ.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Hymn 72: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty introduction

When I attended the BYU Organ Workshop, graduate student Yevgeniya Tyltina played an introduction for hymn 72, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty that really excited me. When I came home, I attempted to recreate the feeling behind that introduction, and came up with this, which I used for the adult session of stake conference in my stake:

I wanted to make this piece available to my readers as well. Here is my arrangement, free to you over at Google Docs. 72 Introduction
I hope you get the same joy out of this introduction that I did. If you use it with your congregation, please let me know how it goes.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Sunday Song: Come, Ye Children of the Lord

Clay Christiansen, tabernacle organist, playing Come, Ye Children of the Lord arranged by Carolyn Hamlin on the Mormon Tabernacle Organ.