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2008-2009 Newsletters Past issues of the Utah Valley Chapter newsletter and other historical information are archived here	Welcome to the website for the Utah Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. We hope the information on this site will be helpful to you. Our chapter is committed to helping all organists-- beginners to advanced--by offering workshops, lectures, recitals, and other activities to help improve their organ skills. Anyone who is interested in the organ, even if you’re not an organist, is invited to come learn with us. To help facilitate this learning, we have a unique opportunity to have the support and help of the Brigham Young University organ faculty, who willingly give their time and expertise to help us train and educate organists. At our chapter meetings, we offer help on a basic level from learning to play hymns to learning about the most difficult works from famous composers, as well as other interesting topics. AGO offers various certification levels to help facilitate and encourage learning and skill development. PDF forms outlining the requirements for certification can be downloaded from the National Headquarters site here. Brigham Young University also offers a wonderful organ certification program that is well worth your time and effort to complete. Information about their certification program, as well as the annual organ workshop, and other information can be found here. We encourage anyone who is interested to become a member and join our chapter. Being part of AGO is a life-enriching experience. Click here for a membership form! ____________________________________________ August 4-7, 2009 – BYU Organ Workshop See: http://organworkshop.byu.edu Develop or enhance organ-playing skills for your own enjoyment, for church service, or for teaching! Discover and improve your talents and proficiency as you learn valuable techniques and tips from skilled instructors. Whether you are a beginning or an experienced organist, the BYU Organ Workshop has much in store for you--over 60 classes in organ technique and repertoire, hymn playing, organ registration, music theory, practice tips and more; discounted enrollment in a BYU Independent Study Organ Performance class; organ recital, hymn sing, bus trip to Tabernacle Choir and Cathedral of the Madeleine, private organ instruction, etc. Instructors will include some of Utah Valley AGO members and guest instructors from out of state; organ concert performance by James Welch and Lella Pomeroy. Save money by registering before July 14 and avoid the late registration fees! Go to http://organworkshop/byu.edu or call (801) 422-8925. E-mail: organworkshop@byu.edu _____ James Welch recital at Tabernacle On Friday, August 7, 2009, at 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Performances will present concert organist James Welch at the Salt Lake Tabernacle in a recital featuring two major works for the organ: First, the monumental Symphony No. 1 by Louis Vierne; and second, the premiere performance of Utah composer Rulon Christiansen's Lyric Symphony, completed this year. Both of these works are eminently suited to the tonal resources of the organ as well as the reverberant acoustics of the Tabernacle.  James Welch, organist of Santa Clara University in California, holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stanford University.  He has concertized worldwide and has released numerous recordings.  Louis Vierne was organist of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris from 1900-1937.  His Symphony No. 1, composed in 1899 and dedicated to Alexandre Guilmant, consists of six individual movements, each in contrasting style:  Prélude, Fugue, Pastorale, Allegro Vivace, Andante, and the brilliant Final, which has been heard many times over the years at the Tabernacle.  The late Tabernacle organist Alexander Schreiner studied with Vierne himself in Paris in the 1920s.  James Welch was fortunate to have studied some of the works of Vierne with Schreiner.  Rulon Christiansen, well known organist and composer from Ogden, Utah, recently completed his appealing Lyric Symphony.  Written in the style of a French Romantic symphony, but with his unique harmonic language, this symphony also features six movements:  Prelude, Grand Choeur, Andante, Scherzetto, Adagio, and Toccata.  This year we also honor Rulon Christiansen on his 60th birthday.  This will be an exceptional opportunity to hear a symphony of Vierne in its entirety, and also to experience the first performance of a major work, the first of its kind, by a Utah composer.			Become a member of the Guild Renewal period set through July 31, 2009 The renewal period for membership in the American Guild of Organists (AGO) for the 2009-2010 program year is open through July 31, 2009. The Guild extends an invitation to organists and organ enthusiasts of all ages to join with us in promoting the organ, encouraging excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and participating in a forum for the mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of its members. While membership is not required to participate in the Utah Valley Chapter, we sincerely appreciate your support. Voting Members All dues for voting membership are collected by local AGO chapters. The local portion of dues is retained by the chapter to support its programs and functions. The national portion is forwarded to AGO National Headquarters to support regional and national programs and operations and to provide a one-year (12 issues) subscription to The American Organist magazine (TAO), the official journal of the American Guild of Organists. Friends of the Chapter Dues rates for “Chapter Friends” are set and retained by the local chapter. A minimum $25 donation provides you with chapter participation only and does not include a subscription to TAO. Membership is open to all interested individuals. A completed application form must accompany dues of each new member. Forms and information are available on this site or from our local chapter registrar, Joan Barnett. _________ Photos from Chapter Informal Recitals · Photos from the January 16, 2009 Informal Recital at the Provo Tabernacle · Photos from the May 15, 2009 Informal Recital at the Salt Lake Tabernacle __________________________________________ Organ Videos John Scott plays Guilmant: “March on a Theme of Handel,” at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in NYC. This was recorded on May 30, 2009, by Joe Vitacco. Amazing performance by Cameron Carpenter, playing Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.” _____ Be sure to check back often for updates Website updated July 2, 2009 Contact DeeAnn Stone, website editor at dstone@uvago.org, if you have something you would like to have included on the website, i.e. recitals, lectures, musical items for sale, helpful hints, quotes, links to other music-related websites, etc.
SUPER SATURDAY ORGAN WORKSHOP HANDOUTS (PDF) April 25, 2009 Mike Carson Handout Don Cook Keynote Speech Don Cook Handout Carol Dean Handout Felipe Dominguez Handout Alena Hall Handout #1 Handout #2 Ruth Ann Hay Handout Wendy Hope Handout Lella Pomeroy Handout #1 Handout #2 _______ April 26, 2008 (PDF) Mike Carson David Chamberlin Lori Serr Florence Hawkinson
Past Chapter Activities A year-by-year outline of our chapter activities since 1987. 2005 Power Point Presentation (without music)
Resources for LDS Organists New URL www.LDSOrganists.info Please update your bookmarks and links!
Chapter Officers 2008-2010 Dean Mike Carson Sub-Dean Gayle Farnsworth Secretary Trudy Barnes Treasurer Joan Barnett Newsletter Editor Carol Dean Website Editor DeeAnn Stone Publicity Mark Clark Historian Florence Hawkinson Education Lori Serr BYU Student Rep. Felipe Dominguez Members-at-Large David Chamberlin Ruth Ann Hay Lella Pomeroy Claire Rogers