INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING: FRESH REPERTOIRE FOR CONCERT AND WORSHIP
Melissa Plamann, presenter
This workshop features fresh compositional voices for organ to invigorate your recital and worship music programming. We will delve into the oeuvres of many compelling composers, including African, Native American, South American, and Jewish composers for organ. Additionally, we'll add several lesser-known Eastern European, African American, and modern female composers to our canonical lists, and explore some music for organ and narrator, and organ and other instruments. Repertoire ranges from solo and collaborative concert works to liturgical offerings suitable for worship throughout the year. Many compositions will be demonstrated on the beautiful Garland organ at University Christian Church; audio recordings will be utilized for others. Workshop attendees will receive a comprehensive handout featuring the repertoire covered during the session, including publisher and purchasing information.
PREPARING FOR GUILD EXAMS: TRACK A - SPC
Peggy Graff, presenter
Churches and employers often recognize the Service Playing Certificate (SPC) as a demonstration of proficiency at the organ, and it can bring organists professional benefits. The test is entirely practical, and the required skills come into play at the worship service(s) played each week. This workshop will focus on the basic components of the test (repertoire, sight-reading, hymn playing, transposition, accompanying, and harmonization/modulation) and test strategies for a successful outcome.
A TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY: CHARTING YOUR COURSE TO CAGO CERTIFICATION
Michael Conrady, presenter
There’s never been a better time to invest in yourself and chart a course to successful CAGO (Colleague) certification! Recent revisions to the Colleague exam have made preparing for the exam more achievable than ever. This workshop will highlight the benefits of CAGO certification, examine the components of the test, and offer preparation strategies to help you reach your goal.
MUSICAL DESIGN ELEMENTS IN MESSIAEN’S LIVRE DU SAINT SACREMENT
David Vogel, presenter
The 18-movement Livre du Saint Sacrement, commissioned by the AGO for the 1986 National Convention in Detroit, is one of the most significant works of the past century. As a summation of Messiaen’s organ compositions, this monumental piece is loaded with more hidden codes and theological references than a Dan Brown novel. David Vogels will unlock the doors to understanding Messiaen’s musical language for optimum performance. Design elements to be discussed include special color chords, stained-glass-window effects, rhythmic modes, birdsongs, Gregorian chants, serial row structures, and communicable language. Mr. Vogels, who has performed the entire piece, will demonstrate pertinent passages and play recorded comparisons from other works by the composer. Many of the projected images that were used to accompany his recent concert will be shown.
INJURY PREVENTION FOR ORGANISTS
Katelyn Emerson, presenter
Any posture that we hold for extended periods of time or a repetitively performed physical activity can potentially lead to discomfort or even injury. We musicians are especially prone to this: studies indicate that 60–90% of musicians have experienced musculoskeletal pain that affects their playing, with surveys of organists showing that about 90% of us have or will experience playing-related discomfort at some point during our careers. Awkward postures, tension, practice habits, and playing technique are frequent contributors to this, and we can train ourselves to ‘check in’ on the state of and ways in which we are using our bodies to make changes that lead to better techniques or tension release. This workshop/masterclass covers fundamentals of injury prevention and recovery, and offers hands-on technique and practice suggestions. Please bring any particular concerns, difficult spots, or ideas you have along, as there will be opportunities to play!
ACCESSIBLE SERVICE MUSIC: SOURCES & RESOURCES FROM SOUTHWEST REGION COMPOSERS
Larry Wolz, presenter
Accessible Service Music: Sources and Resources from Southwest Region Composers. This workshop will explore composers and resources for accessible (mostly hymn-based) organ literature published over the last 50-75 years. This period saw the rise and eventual disappearance of some denominational publishing houses, which had provided a larger marketplace for composers of church organ music. We will look at some of this historical context as well as many of the most prominent composers writing during the period (many of them from or working in the Southwest region of the AGO). Along the way, I’ll talk about some of my favorites as well as provide some general tips for choosing, sourcing, and programming organ music efficiently throughout the church year.
HELP ME HELP YOU: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR ORGAN TECH
John Riester, presenter
This workshop will provide insights into:
--how pipe organs work (and differences between instruments)
--what to do when something goes wrong with the pipe organ
--how best to prepare for an organ tech visit
--following up on needed repairs after service visit
COMMUNICATING WITH CHAPTER MEMBERS AND THE WORLD BEYOND ORGANISTS
Karen Rich, presenter
In this workshop we will discuss how to create a Chapter Newsletter, a Website, a Facebook page, and other methods to raise awareness of the AGO in your area. There may be many people who live in your area who would be interested in some of your programs – especially recitals and organ demonstrations. We’ll talk about methods that may help you grow your chapter and make new friends for the organ.
MorningStar READING SESSION
Mark Lawson, presenter
This session features a review of new music published by MorningStar Music Publishers. The session will feature choral music for churches in a variety of voicings and styles, primarily with organ accompaniments.
MORE THAN FOUR-PART HARMONY: INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE HYMN PLAYING
Jens Korndörfer, presenter
Congregational hymns are the one moment in a service when everybody pays attention to the organist. How do we make the most of this moment, and show our creativity and the resources of our instruments, whether they are large or small? In this workshop, Dr. Jens Korndörfer will introduce ways to quickly enhance one’s hymn playing. Using the four-part settings found in hymnals as a starting point, we will discuss how small, easy modifications to the printed score can make a big difference. Topics covered will be how to vary the accompaniments of different verses through moving the melody into different voices, harmonic & rhythmic figuration, borrowing from different styles (parallel & horn fifths), and easy re-harmonizations. Step-by-step guidelines and exercises for each technique will allow participants to easily replicate different accompaniments at home. The workshop will conclude with a discussion on how to use the accompaniments as starting points for introductions and how to possibly extend them into longer preludes.
HANDBELL MUSIC READING SESSION
Stephanie Rhoades, presenter
Come explore music for all sizes of ensembles and abilities, all levels of difficulty, various seasons, and bells and instruments (piano/keyboard and more).
In addition to music for any time during the year, we will read through a few seasonal pieces, as well as some pieces with compatible editions for 2-3 octave choirs and 3-5 octave choirs.
TRANSCRIBING FOR ORGAN
Ken Cowan, presenter
Ken Cowan explores the art of organ transcription. A brief survey of the various techniques composers and arrangers use to adapt compositions from one instrumental medium to another will be followed by discussion about specific organ playing techniques applicable to playing transcriptions.
forScore FOR THE MODERN ORGANIST
Lindsey Johnson, presenter
Join us for an engaging workshop on forScore, designed to help you maximize the potential of this musical tool. This informative tutorial will provide an in-depth look at every feature of forScore, with a special focus on organ-specific tips and techniques to enhance your practice and performance. Key topics we’ll cover include forScore Basics, where you'll get an overview of essential functions and three methods to import scores, ensuring you can easily integrate your music. We'll dive into effective metadata management, crucial for efficiently organizing and retrieving your scores. Learn how to organize your library, from minimal setups to comprehensive collections tailored to your needs. We'll explore forScore’s unique features and tools, including the five types of page turns, which can significantly streamline your performance. We'll also discuss various methods for saving your scores using iCloud, backups, and archives to ensure your music is always secure. The session will guide you on utilizing the dashboard, editing scores with precision, and making organ-specific markings to aid in your practice and performance. We’ll also address common glitches you might encounter and offer practical tips to overcome them. Whether you're an experienced forScore user or new to integrating technology into your musical routine, this workshop will provide valuable insights and hands-on guidance. Bring your iPad with forScore installed, or if you're starting out, come and learn how to make the most of this innovative app. This session is perfect for anyone looking to elevate their musical practice with cutting-edge technology.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS ORGAN RENOVATION
Jesse Eschbach, presenter
Jesse Eschbach will give a presentation on the newly completed revival and renovation of the Möller Organ in the Main Auditorium at UNT. He will be the lunch speaker for the meal served in the Murchison Performing Arts Center during the convention add-on day to Denton. All who sign up for the add-on day are invited to attend his presentation.
AGO LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Elizabeth George, speaker
Are you prepared to serve on your board? Referencing The Board Team Handbook, this interactive workshop that is open to anyone serving on a chapter board, will address your role and responsibilities, and the essential skills needed to work successfully as a team.
