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, April 29, 2012

Sunday Song: Guide Us O Thou Great Jehovah

Michael Howarth, age 16, playing at the October 2001 Night of Organists in Henderson Nevada.  Does anyone know the arranger?




Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Glory to God on High 3rd Verse

For our stake Easter Musical Fireside, I wanted to have those in attendance sing the final verse of Glory to God on High in unison.  I would have loved to play a free harmonization during that verse, but my lack of time prevented it.  Instead, I made just a few simple modifications to the hymn and it worked very well on that final verse. 

I wanted to share it with you.

Glory to God on High
Here it is!


Enjoy!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Don't miss my comments over on facebook

I have a facebook page, where I comment on things that I don't post on the blog. Don't miss what's happening over there! Tonight I shared some links to pieces that can be used as free harmonizations:
The LDS Organist Blog on facebook.

Sunday Song: Let Us Break Bread Together

Dale Wood's arrangement of Let Us Break Bread Together is played by David Christensen at Eden Lutheran Church in Riverside, CA on a Moller pipe organ with Allen additions.






Friday, April 20, 2012

There is such a thing as a free lunch!

If you live in or are visiting Utah, mark your calendars for April 21, 2012 (TOMORROW!) from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

The Utah Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is presenting Super Saturday, Training for the Church Organist (a free event with lunch included). The event will be held at the Harris Fine Arts building on the BYU campus in Provo, UT. This year's keynote speaker is Tabernacle Organist Clay Christiansen. Clay will also be presiding over a hymn playing masterclass and doing an organ music demonstration. There will also be many classes for beginning, intermediate, and advanced organists.

Workshop instructors will include Tabernacle Organist, Clay Christiansen, BYU organ faculty, and other AGO organ specialists. These classes include:

Organ Essentials I, Manual Technique
Organ Essentials II, Pedal Technique
Organ Essentials III, Registration
Advanced Registration
Preludes From Hymns
Hymn Master Class
Hymn Playing Protocol
New In Print Music
Theory for Organists
Organ Arrangements from Piano Choir Music
Organ Lab Instruction
Inside a Pipe Organ
Service Playing: Worship or Performance
Pianist to Organist & Other Organ Resources
Understanding Hymn Text
Performing with Confidence
30 minute recital: Parker Ludwig

It will be a great day of workshops, and best of all, everything (including lunch) is free! If you live close enough to come, I highly recommend it.  I'll be helping in the organ lab during the first hour of classes, and playing for the master class the second hour. 

Hope to see you there!

If you don't live close to Provo, UT, check the AGO website to find a chapter near you:
http://www.agohq.org/regional/index.html
The American Guild of Organists is a wonderful resource for organists, and if you aren't already, I recommend that you become involved in your local chapter.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Sunday Song: Toccata for the Morning of Easter

Happy Easter!

Today's Sunday Song is "Toccata for the Morning of Easter" by Gilbert M. Martin.



View last year's Easter Sunday Song here.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

I'm featured on Pedal Points today

An acquaintance of mine has recently started an online forum for LDS organists. She regularly features organists and adds them to her "Society of Awesome Latter-day Saint Accompanists." Today I'm being featured along with another organist. Feel free to link over and learn more about me!

After reading, you can fill out your own SALSA Questionnaire.

Read SALSA: Jack and Jennifer over at Pedal Points.

Thanks for visiting!