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2009-2010

Newsletters

 

Past issues of the Utah Valley Chapter newsletter and other historical information are archived here

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Chapter Officers

2008-2010

 

Dean

Mike Carson

 

Sub-Dean

Gayle Farnsworth

 

Secretary/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

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SUPER SATURDAY

ORGAN WORKSHOP

HANDOUTS (PDF)

 

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Past Chapter Activities

 

A year-by-year outline of our chapter activities since 1987.

 

 

2005 Power Point Presentation

(without music)

 

 

 

 

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Resources for LDS Organists

www.LDSOrganists.info

 

 

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!

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Become a member of the Guild

 

The Guild extends a cordial 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.

 

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"The organ is the most desirable instrument for the production of devotional music. The sustained, majestic tone of organ pipes suggests peace, quiet and the calm of the infinite. It tends to relieve the tense and nervous roughness which often accompanies the practical struggle of life. Its steady bass and the principal diapason suggest nobility and greatness to a degree not possible with any other musical instrument" (Alexander Schreiner, Music and the Gospel, pg. 59). 

--Submitted by Meg Griffith

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Chapter Photos

 

·        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

 

·        Photos from the October 16, 2009

Informal Recital at Robin Cardon’s home

 

·        Photos from the October 30, 2009

UVAGO 30th Anniversary event

 

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Be sure to check back often for updates

Website updated February 8, 2010

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dean’s Message

 

My association with the Guild enhances my life and gives me opportunities I otherwise wouldn’t have.  It’s immensely gratifying to learn and grow as I participate in our chapter events.  Here are some examples of what I mean:

 

SLCAGO Super Saturday

 

With great delight I attended the Salt Lake City chapter’s annual Super Saturday on January 8.  The keynote by Jerold Ottley can be read on SLCAGO’s Web site.  Inspiring!  

 

I attended Dr. Roger Miller’s lecture on “the Berlioz Requiem as a model for colorful registration” and learned concepts useful in more advanced registration techniques. Enlightening!  

 

Then I wanted to meet Ryan Murphy, the new associate director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, so I attended his session on choral conducting.  He’s a cracker jack of enthusiasm, and I picked up pointers to help me with my choirs. Exciting!  

 

Then I wanted to see Clay Christiansen in action as he held a master class featuring Dr. Don Cook’s gifted students.  We listened to three on-fire young organists and observed Dr. Christiansen giving suggestions and tips on improving their pieces. Enjoyable!  

 

After a light lunch, Dr. Christiansen played a stunning recital on the Lively-Fulcher organ in Libby Gardner hall, sponsored by the Alexander Schreiner Foundation.  Breathtaking!  

 

It was a lovely morning, renewing old acquaintances and meeting new organ friends.  The Salt Lake City chapter and it’s leaders are to be congratulated for an inspiring event.  Unforgettable!

 

Informal

 

January’s informal was held at Claudia Johnson’s home in Cedar Hills.  We had a small but faithful group of members and friends attend, and we enjoyed the playing and the visiting.  Thank you, Claudia and Brent, for your hospitality.  The informals provide a unique opportunity to play for just enough people to make you a little nervous, but in a relaxed setting that provides camaraderie and friendly encouragement.  We play our favorite preludes and hymns, and once in a while someone plays their latest “project.”  Ruth Ann Hay plans this event for us each month.

 

Felipe’s Presentation

 

We enjoyed a wonderful evening with Felipe Dominguez on January 22, discussing the implications of fingerings in articulation and how they affect the musical conception of Baroque and Early music.

 

His detailed preparation and engaging presentation, using a Power Point, handout, and demonstrations on the Portative organ, was very informative and enlightening.

 

Festival of Hymns

 

I’m excited to announce that the chapter’s February event will be presented by our very own David Chamberlin in a “Festival of Hymns” on Sunday, February 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Grove Creek Stake Center in Pleasant Grove.  The program will feature David playing his own hymn voluntaries and other pieces, as well as some congregational singing.  If you need a spiritual boost and some quality family time together, we invite you to come and enjoy this lovely musical program.

 

Bach Recital

 

Our chapter’s annual Bach recital will be held at the Utah State Hospital chapel on Papa Bach’s 325th birthday, Sunday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m.  Claire Rogers is coordinating the event and asks for chapter members and non-members alike to submit the titles of their pieces “sooner rather than later.”  

 

In the past, these recitals have always been inspiring and motivating. Several years ago, Ruth Ann Hay asked me if I would play the Passion Chorale (LDS Hymn #197) on the recital as a congregational hymn.  I got my feet wet, and the following year I played a different four-part chorale.  This year I plan to play one of the “Little” Preludes and Fugues.  

 

I’m taking baby steps, but I’m getting braver and learning more and more each year. I invite you to do the same.  Make that call to Claire today (801-374-5310), and make a commitment to participate.  We would love to have you join us as a performer or even as an audience member.

 

Our March informal will be held on Friday, March 19, at the State Hospital chapel to give those who will perform on the recital an opportunity to play the organ there.  It would really be great to have our “seasoned” professional members play on this recital, as well.

 

UVAGO’s Super Saturday, April 24

 

Last but not least, please circle April 24 for our chapter’s Super Saturday in the Harris Fine Arts Center at BYU.  Start letting your organ and choral friends know about this wonderful opportunity to learn and grow as musicians.  This annual event is a perfect first exposure to the organ for pianists, and there will also be many offerings for experienced players.  Stay tuned for more information in future newsletters as the date approaches.

 

I hope February 2010 brings you joy in your service and fulfillment in your efforts.  Whatever talents you possess, share them liberally and joyfully; your gifts will return to you ten-fold and bless the lives of many others.

 

Mike Carson, Dean