I hope you have all enjoyed your Christmas season. Music is an integral part of my Christmas celebration, with Christmas music of all varieties being played in my house. On Christmas Eve I was able to play the organ and piano at a small Episcopal Church in Provo for their Candlelight Service. The service began with a congregational hymn-sing, joining voices to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. To be able to lead and accompany these hymns with a group of eager congregants was a highlight of my holiday. It was a time where I was keenly aware that as a musician I play an important part in helping others worship God. It was an honor to be involved in that beautiful service and I am grateful. 

The UVAGO Organ Crawl, Jan 16, 2023 is quickly approaching. Please carefully read the following details. Priority will be given to chapter members and individuals who did not play the Tabernacle organ last January. 

• Our chapter has the opportunity to play the Tabernacle organ on Jan 16, 2023 at 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Prior to that event, there will be a guest organist recital which begins at noon, which you may attend. If you attend the noon recital, please exit the Tabernacle after the recital and meet at #1 door near the West end of the Tabernacle where we will enter the building at 12:45 p.m. 

• For those not attending the recital, please meet at 12:45 pm at door #1, near the West end of the Tabernacle and enter with the chapter. We need to leave as a group when we are finished at 3:00. By adhering to these instructions, we can continue to make it possible for our group and others like ours to enjoy time playing on this magnificent instrument. 

• If you have a conflict where you absolutely cannot arrive at 1:00 p.m. or if you must leave before 3:00 p.m, please contact Marcine Sawyer via text at 801-854-8032 and we will see if we can make an exception. 

• Please stay near the organ during our two-hour event and don’t wander around the building. Wandering creates concerns for temple square security.

• IMPORTANT TEMPLE SQUARE POLICY: You are welcome to have pictures taken of yourself at the organ if you wish to do so. Videos are also allowed, but are for personal use only, and may not be shared online, posted to social media sites, or distributed to others. The church takes this restriction quite seriously, so please help us continue to offer open console opportunities by complying with this policy.

• While no dress code has been specified, please dress in neat and tidy clothing. 

• There will be someone familiar with the console to help register your piece.

Please use the link below to sign up to play at the Tabernacle.

Spread the word to young musicians about Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza next month. See the flyer below for details and a link to RSVP.

Looking forward to seeing all of you soon,
Marcine Sawyer

BYU Organ Online Training Sessions

The BYU Organ Online Training Sessions for Entry-level Organists have been scheduled for the coming season. These webinars are free of charge and available to pianists and organists in any location! 

The presentations will offer a pre-recorded video from 7:00-8:00 pm Mountain Time, with interactive chat with the instructor during the video, followed by a live Question & Answer session until 8:30 pm Mountain Time. Recordings of each class will be available to view for one month following the live presentation.

Additional sessions for Beyond the Basics topics and Individual Feedback will be scheduled soon. We hope to see you at many, if not all training sessions!

This session will explore various types of solo stops and combinations, along with ways to create balanced accompaniment combinations.