Created by Landon Finch, BM in Organ Performance
(This is not an official resource sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
The Objective:
To train pianists to become organ accompanists for worship services.
This 10-lesson course is designed to teach the fundamental organ-playing skills necessary for performing hymns during church services. The course is most effective when paired with the guidance of an organ mentor—someone who is a trained organist, well-versed in the concepts and techniques covered in the course. Such a mentor can help support and guide an accompanist through the material, enabling them to develop the skills required to become a proficient organist.
Well-trained organists who can teach the gospel of Jesus Christ powerfully to their congregations are greatly needed, and those asked to play the organ in church services need to be adequately trained. This resource has been designed to offer a structured training solution for organists, equipping them not only with the essential skills to play the organ proficiently but also with the tools to become effective teachers of the gospel, inspiring faith in Jesus Christ and encouraging enthusiastic congregational singing.
Click below to learn about the responsibilities and resources for the calling of "Ward Accompanist."
Use the course progress record available HERE to pass off the course items with your organ mentor and to keep track of your progress.
A printable pdf copy of all the exercises for this course is available HERE.
Getting a pair of organ shoes ($) is highly encouraged.
You will need to have a copy of Hymn Studies for Organists by Dr. Parley Belnap ($) by lesson 10.
Follow the order of study as prescribed in the lessons.
Master all the technique exercises as prescribed in each lesson.
Thoroughly learn each part of every hymn project as outlined in the lessons.
Follow the directions provided in each lesson to help you learn and master each technique exercise and hymn project.
