2024 BYU ORGAN WORKSHOP CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Workshop classes and events are described in detail below. Each one is intended for organists at a certain level of training or range of levels. Decide which of the levels below describes your training most accurately, and then choose classes designed for that level. If you intend to work through one of the BYU Independent Study Organ Courses (“levels”) in the months following the workshop, you will benefit directly from classes that correspond with your level. Follow these links to see the list of requirements for Levels 1-2 and Levels 3-6. Level 1: beginning (Pianists with little or no formal organ training, or who need help in applying what they have learned in their organ playing. No music theory prerequisites.) Level 2: review basics (Those with organ training, but who would benefit from a review of basic legato organ technique, repertoire, registration, hymn playing, and registration. Should be able to sight-read single-line melodies. Music Theory prerequisites: see Theory Requirements for Level 1). Level 3: early intermediate (Those with substantial training and fluency in legato organ technique, repertoire, registration, hymn playing, and registration. Should be able to sight-read two-part music. Music Theory prerequisites: see Theory Requirements for Levels 1-2). Level 4: intermediate (Those with substantial training and fluency in legato organ technique, repertoire, registration, hymn playing, and registration. Have training in playing organ pieces in both legato and articulate styles. Should be able to play easy four-part vocal scores, to sight-read simple three- and four-part organ music and hymns, and to transpose hymn melodies (only) up to and including a major second up and down. Music Theory prerequisites: see Theory Requirements for Levels 1-3). Level 5: early advanced (Those with substantial training and fluency in legato organ technique, repertoire, registration, hymn playing, registration, and in intermediate organ pieces in both legato and articulate styles. Should be able to play moderately difficult four-part vocal scores and easy choir accompaniments, to sight-read moderately difficult four-part organ music and hymns, and to transpose simple hymns into all keys up to and including a major second up and down. Music Theory prerequisites: see Theory Requirements for Levels 1-4). Level 6: advanced (Those with substantial training and fluency in legato organ technique, repertoire, registration, hymn playing, registration, and in early advanced organ pieces in both legato and articulate styles. Should be able to play more difficult four-part vocal scores and choir accompaniments, to sight-read more difficult four-part organ music and hymns, and to transpose moderately difficult hymns into all keys up to and including a major second up and down. Music Theory prerequisites: see Theory Requirements for Levels 1-5).
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
ADAPTING FRENCH ROMANTIC ORGAN REGISTRATION INDICATIONS TO AMERICAN ORGANS The great organ works from the French Romantic tradition are some of the best-loved of the entire organ repertory. Registering these works, created for specific French organs and cathedral spaces and often with specific registration directions, requires more than simply stop-for-stop transfer. Learn more about making these adaptations in this very useful session. ADVANCED HYMN PLAYING This course is intended for pianists or organists who have had substantial introductory organ training and who are applying it in their hymn playing. The following topics will be covered: Rearranging Parts (soprano solo, tenor solo, alto up an octave, soprano/tenor switch, manual only) Advanced hymn registration Nonharmonic Tones An Introduction to Creative Introductions and Interludes An Introduction to Free Accompaniments Bring a hymnbook and receive specific direction and ideas for the coming year's practice. Hymnbook required. Organ shoes recommended. Also recommended: Belnap, Parley L. Hymn Studies for Organists. Rev. ed. Provo, UT: BYU Creative Works Office, 1992/2004. These may be available at the displays. Cook, Don. The OrganTutor Online Tutorial. Provo, UT: BYU Creative Works Office, 1998/2021. Cook, Don, with contributions by Parley L. Belnap and Richard L. Elliott. The OrganTutor Workbook. ("OTW") Spanish Fork, UT: Ard Publications, n.d. (ardpublications.com) Dean, Carol. Hymns from the L.D.S. Hymnal Marked for the Organ. email Jennifer Morgan at ldsorganistblog@gmail.com You should be familiar with the concepts covered in these classes: Hymn Playing in the Sustained Style, Registration Basics, Chorus Registration, Solo and Accompaniment Registration, and Registration Decision Making. Basic hymn registration is not covered in Advanced Hymn Playing. We invite you to bring a list of the stops on the organ that you play, including pitch designations. List them under each division (for example: Great: Principal 8', Octave 4', Mixture IV, etc.; Swell: Bourdon 16', Geigen Principal 8', etc.; Pedal: Principal 16', Lieblich Gedackt 16', etc.). Refer to your list throughout the workshop.