We are excited to present to you the BYU Organ Online Training Sessions – a monthly offering of nine different topics of interest to early-level church organists, including those serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All events are free of charge and available to pianists and organists in any location! Each month will include a 2-part series: a live presentation on the given topic, and a live masterclass that follows up on the topic discussed in the presentation. The presentation will take place on the first Thursday of each month, followed by the mid-monthly masterclass (reinforcing the same topic) on the third Thursday of the month, both from 7-9 pm Mountain Time. Enroll for the sessions of interest by hovering over each topic and clicking the “Register” button. Recordings of each class will be available to view following the live presentation throughout the month in which it is presented.
We hope to see you at many, if not all the training sessions!
The Organ Console
Dr. Don Cook, Instructor
This session is an introduction to the organ console, including the divisions of the organ and console devices such as thumb pistons and toe studs, expression and crescendo pedals, and other registrational aids. Consider being seated near an organ to make the most of your learning experience.
Presentation – November 5, 2020 | 7-9 pm
Masterclass – November 19, 2020 | 7-9 pm
Pitches & Families of Organ Tone
Nora Hess, Instructor
This session will explain both the names and numbers that appear on organ stops including the four families of organ tone (principal, flute, string, and reed) along with numbers/numerals (pitch designations) and what they mean.
Presentation – December 3, 2020 | 7-9 pm
Masterclass – December 17, 2020 | 7-9 pm
Basic Hymn Registration
Sheri Peterson, Instructor
This session will focus on basic and effective hymn registration (chorus registration – when both hands are playing on a single keyboard).
Presentation – January 7, 2020 | 7-9 pm
Masterclass – January 21, 2020 | 7-9 pm
Solo & Accompaniment Registration
Dr. Neil Harmon, Instructor
Various types of solo stops and combinations are explored, along with ways to create balanced accompaniment combinations.
Presentation – February 4, 2021 | 7-9 pm
Masterclass – February 18, 2021 | 7-9 pm
Basic Pedal Technique
Sharee Thompson, Instructor
This session establishes the most important foundations of good legato pedal technique.
Presentation – March 4, 2021 | 7-9 pm
Masterclass – March 18, 2021 | 7-9 pm
Legato Fingering Techniques
Joseph Peeples, Instructor
This session will introduce fingering techniques to achieve beautiful legato musical lines without the use of a sustaining pedal (something not found on an organ).
Presentation – April 1, 2021 | 7-9 pm
Masterclass – April 15, 2021 | 7-9 pm
Hymn Playing Basics
Jacob Hofeling, Instructor
This session introduces hymn playing in the sustained legato style, and achieving independence of line. Concepts discussed will include: evaluating the text, dealing with the repeated notes, common tone rule, when to play legato and when to play detached.
Presentation – May 6, 2021 | 7-9 pm
Masterclass – May 20, 2021 | 7-9 pm
Figuring Out Pedaling for Hymns
Kymberly Payne, Instructor
This session will prepare you to apply basic pedal techniques in choosing effective pedaling in hymn playing.
Presentation – June 3, 2021 | 7-9 pm
Masterclass – June 17, 2021 | 7-9 pm
Refining Hymn Playing
Valerie Harris, Instructor
This session deals with refining our skills and musical sensitivities in order to accompany a congregation with creative hymn playing techniques and an awareness of textual and musical phrases.
Presentation – July 1, 2021 | 7-9 pm
Masterclass – July 15, 2021 | 7-9 pm
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