Organ Skills Workshops
Day 1 - Saturday September 17, 2011
Day 2 - Saturday November 19, 2011

                Download a Flyer  for this event

    September 17 at:   Richmond Hill United Church                       November 19 at:   St. Clement's Anglican Church
                                       10201 Yonge Street                                                                         59 Briar Hill Avenue
                                        Richmond Hill                                                                                    Toronto

                         

      Click here for directions from Google Maps                                   Click here for directions from Google Maps

All workshops are FREE, and are presented as an outreach program of RCCOToronto.
TO REGISTER FOR ANY OF THE ORGAN SKILLS WORKSHOPS, CONTACT
                     Lydia Pedersen by email or telephone 416-236-5085
It would be helpful if you would indicate your interests and indicate your current music involvement at your church.

One session will run from 10 to 12 and the other from 1 to 3.  In between, lunch is on your own with several eateries near each location.

 

DAY ONE:  

The Mechanics                                                       led by Alan Jackson and William Wright  

Workshop leaders will help you to learn of the physical parts and their names of the organ, including a review of stops (sounds) and the basics of registration (picking a pleasing or helpful sound), and discuss the common terminologies, tonal characteristics and the differences between pipe and digital organs.  Participants will be given the opportunity to play one piece and to learn from the leaders' critique.  A Question and Answer period will conclude the session.

 

Literature - Evaluating and Buying Music               led by Elisa Mangina and Lydia Pedersen

A session to help you find the right music for your abilities and your situation.  Leaders will show you how to evaluate music in the store, and will offer several retail resources.  Participants can learn methods for self-study as well as ways to find a teacher, and whether conferences, summer schools and other workshops and organizations (like the RCCO) can be helpful.  Finally, leaders will review copyright issues, licensing, and web sources.

 

BONUS of the DAY --  'Music Plus' from Kitchener is bringing a good selection of organ music for beginners to browse and purchase on site.

 

DAY TWO:

Service Playing                                                       led by Tom Fitches

 

All components of playing a service will be reviewed, including:
   Hymns -- Our #1 responsibiity

   Styles  -- looking at registration, breathing, tempi, etc.
   Service Music  --  Psalms, cantor, responses, etc.

   Working with Choirs  --  conducting, accompanying
   Using the resources of your hymnal
   Voluntaries  --  Share your favourite!
   Q and A 

 

The Human Factor                                                  led by Patricia Wright and Rev. Sherman Hesselgrave

Here's an opportunity to discuss the personal issues and problems of working in a church with two of the most experienced and skilled clinicians we could find.  Get tips on recruiting and rehearsal procedures, staff issues (salaries, personalities), budget concerns, as well as the all-important 'Self-Care and Professional Support'.