Have you met Mrs. Middlejoy?

I was introduced to Mrs. Middlejoy one morning when Susan Call Hutchison called me with some questions about the organ for a children's book she was writing.  As a thank you, she sent me a copy of Mrs. Middlejoy and the Minister's Cat. I loved it and eagerly awaited the release of her next book, Mrs. Middlejoy and the Joyful Noise.

 
I thought it was great fun, and wanted to share it with you!  You can download this free book from Susan's website, MrsMiddlejoy.com.  Here's the direct link.  For my help, I was able to name the organist!  I named her after Carol Dean, who not only introduced me to the organ, but also teaches many organists in the Provo/Orem area and beyond.

As I prepared this blog post, I noticed that the Kindle version of Mrs. Middlejoy and the Haunted Churchyard is currently free.  I can't wait to read this one as well.  If you enjoy these stories, you might want to grab it before November 2nd!

Don't Forget: I'm on Facebook!

This blog exists mainly as a resource.  It's to be used more of a website than a blog.  Without a calling that allows me to play the organ on a regular basis, my focus isn't on the organ nearly as much as I'd like.

However, I do have a presence on facebook, where I post a bit more regularly.  Feel free to visit me there!  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-LDS-Organist-Blog/334614664920

Sunday Song: "Perpetuum Mobile for Pedals Alone"

Brink Bush performs "Perpetuum Mobile for Pedals Alone" by Wilhelm Middelschulte live at the Wilhelm Middelschulte Sesquicentennial Celebration. This program was presented by the Boston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, April 13, 2013, at Church of the Advent, Boston, Massachusetts. The organ is an Aeolian-Skinner.

Sunday Song: Buxtehude's Prelude in d

Jens Korndoerfer plays Dietrich Buxtehude's Präludium in d, BuxWV 140 live during the Canadian International Organ Competition in October 2008 on the von Beckerath organ in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Montreal.

Sunday Song: Batalha de 6º Tom

Jens Korndoerfer plays Pedro de Araújos Batalha de 6º Tom at Basilique St. Nazaire,Carassonne, France, August 3, 2008.

Sunday Song: Variations on "America"

Sixteen year old Charles Edward Ives composed this set of variations on "America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)" for organ in 1891. In 1948, E. Power Biggs contacted Ives inquiring if he had composed any organ music that Biggs might perform on his weekly radio program. After Biggs helped Ives recover this long-forgotten piece, he performed it on his July 4th broadcast that year, and the work was finally published in 1949.

Sunday Song: The Rejoicing

Richard Elliott plays his own arrangement of The Rejoicing, from Music for the Royal Fireworks  by George Frederic Handel.