Organ Level 1

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Welcome to the Courses offered by the Brigham Young University School of Music! Organ Level 1 is designed to provide motivation, direction, and instruction for organists to improve their skills in specific areas: organ technique, organ repertoire, hymn playing, music theory, organ registration, and sight-reading. This is accomplished by providing played assignments, study materials, quizzes, and feedback in each area. Levels 1-6 focus on the skills needed for the Colleague and Service Playing certificates offered by the American Guild of Organists. Each course/level is designed to be completed within one calendar year. If you are unable to complete it in time, you may re-enroll for an additional year.

Course Outcomes for Organ Level 1

1. Students will work with an organ instructor locally or online who will help them through the course.
2. Students will increase skill levels in organ technique, organ repertoire, hymn playing, and sight-reading.
3. Students will gain knowledge in organ registration and music theory.
4. By applying their new skills and knowledge, students will increase confidence in playing the organ in church service and for their own enrichment.

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Are You Enrolled at the Appropriate Level?

Make sure that you are enrolled in the level that is right for you. Level 1 offers beginning organ instruction – for pianists with little or no previous formal organ training, or who need help in applying what they have learned in their organ playing. Level 1 is also helpful to those who have played the organ for years but who have little or no formal organ training.

Level 1 develops the ability to sight-read single-line melodies. Basic organ registration topics include organ types and components, the organ console, organ stop pitches and families, three types of organ registration, chorus-type registration, and hymn registration. Music theory topics covered in Level 1 include the overtone series, musical notation (including note names, clefs, ottava sign, accidentals, enharmonic notes, chromatic scale, whole and half steps), rhythmic concepts (including duple, triple, and quadruple meter; simple and compound time), note values and rest values, metronome indications, tempo indications, and time signatures.

Level 1 students should already possess note reading skills at the piano, and be able to play hymns fluently at the piano.

Level 2 offers early intermediate organ instruction – for those with previous organ training, but who would benefit from a review of basic legato organ technique, repertoire, registration, and hymn playing. Level 2 develops the ability to sight-read two-part music, and covers more advanced music theory topics in intervals, scales, the keynote or tonic, modes, and key signatures.

Level 3 offers intermediate organ instruction – for those with substantial training and fluency in the basic organ skills and music fundamentals listed above.

If you feel that you have enrolled in the wrong level, email organ@byu.edu to request a change of course. If you are unsure, contact your BYU Organ Faculty course instructor.

The "Free" versions of Music 71 and Music 72 share the same lesson structure and played assignments as the standard versions. However, there are no quizzes, reviews, student tracking, or certificates of completion offered. Played assignments are not submitted to the BYU Organ Faculty course instructor, nor is the instructor available for questions about course content. There are no free versions of Music 73-76.

You can enter the BYU Organ Study courses at any level - just make sure that your choice fits your level of training and your goals.

We hope that as you acquire the skills at this level, you will enjoy a sense of accomplishment and will continue to progress through the higher levels. When you successfully pass the eleven lessons, the played assignments, and the midcourse and final reviews for this level, you will pass the course (and be awarded a certificate of completion if you request one).

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Course Structure

Lessons and Reviews

This course consists of eleven lessons with online quizzes, three played assignments, a midcourse review, and a final review. These are described below in the "Working Through the Course" section. The three played assignments must be completed with the help of a Qualified Organ Teacher (see below) and evaluated by an Approved Evaluator. The eleven lessons can often be completed through self-study, but your teacher or others may also help you through the eleven lessons as needed.

Qualified Organ Teacher

You are required to choose a Qualified Organ Teacher (other than your BYU Organ Faculty course instructor) to help you through the requirements of your level. While this person does not need to be approved by your BYU Organ Faculty course instructor, your Approved Evaluator does. Your Qualified Organ Teacher and Approved Evaluator may be either the same person or two separate individuals. For your teacher, look for someone who has at least one of the following qualifications:

• A bachelor of music degree or equivalent in organ from an accredited institution, or
• Passed an organ examination of the American Guild of Organists, the Royal Canadian College of Organists, or the Royal College of Organists; or is nationally certified in organ through Music Teachers National Association, or
• For this level you might consider a teacher who has studied for two or more years under an organist with one of the above qualifications.

Make arrangements to meet with your teacher, either in person or online, as often as needed to complete the course in time. Although some can complete the course with only occasional contact with a teacher, most students do their best work when lessons are frequent and regular (i.e., weekly or biweekly). You are responsible to pay the fee required by your chosen teacher directly to them.

An Approved Evaluator

It is your responsibility to select an evaluator who is approved by your BYU Organ Faculty course instructor. It is convenient if your Qualified Organ Teacher is also your Approved Evaluator, but they can be two separate individuals. Any of the BYU Organ Workshop instructors is automatically approved. To request approval of another evaluator, send an email to your BYU Organ Faculty course instructor that includes their name, email and telephone contact, and known organ qualifications. The email you receive in response is official approval of your evaluator.

If the evaluator is also your teacher, email to them a copy of the Played Assignment Evaluation Form as you begin working on the played assignment so that they can check off the items as you complete them. If they are someone other than your teacher, meet with your evaluator once per played assignment or as often as needed to complete it. You are responsible to pay an appropriate fee to the evaluator at the time of your appointment. Although fees vary widely, an hourly rate of $70 is often appropriate. This fee should be paid directly to the evaluator at the conclusion of the session, which usually requires about ninety minutes for each played assignment.

In seeking out a qualified evaluator, choose from these three options and submit your played assignments as described:

• Your BYU Organ Faculty course instructor, in person. If you wish to travel to Provo, schedule a time to complete a played assignment directly with your course instructor. A $70 fee per hour is required for played assignment evaluations, and is paid directly to them through Venmo or as otherwise arranged. Bring the Played Assignment Evaluation Form 1, 2, or 3.
• Your BYU Organ Faculty Course Instructor, through video recording. Play and record the entire assignment without stopping the recording. Do not play any portion of the assignment more than twice. Upload the recording to YouTube as an unlisted video (you will need a Google account and a YouTube channel). Email the ungraded Played Assignment Evaluation Form 1, 2, or 3 AND the YouTube link to your course instructor for evaluation and grading. A $70 fee is required for for played assignment evaluations, and is paid directly to them through Venmo or as otherwise arranged.
• An Approved Evaluator. Obtain email approval from your BYU Organ Faculty course instructor as described above for an evaluator of your choice. The evaluator must meet one of the following qualifications:
• A bachelor of music degree or equivalent in organ from an accredited institution, or
• Passed an organ examination of the American Guild of Organists, the Royal Canadian College of Organists, or the Royal College of Organists; or is nationally certified in organ through Music Teachers National Association.
• For this level you might propose someone who has studied for two or more years under an organist with one of the above certifications.

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Working Through the Course

The lessons are numbered in the general order in which to complete them. First complete Lessons 1 and 2. After that, you should usually be working on a music theory lesson, an organ registration lesson, and practicing on a played assignment at the same time. Lessons 1-11 are each accompanied by an online quiz.

• Lesson 1: Technique - The Nature of Organ Tone, Practice Techniques, Manual Technique
• Lesson 2: Technique - Pedal Technique, Organ Shoes
• Played Assignment 1 (Begin working on this as you study Lessons 3 and 4. Finish in 3 to 4 months.)
• Lesson 3: Theory - The Basic Materials of Music: Time and Sound, The Notation of Pitch
• Lesson 4: Registration - Organ Types and Components, The Organ Console
• Lesson 5: Registration - Classification of Organ Stops by Pitch
• Lesson 6: Registration - Classification of Organ Stops by Family
• Midcourse Review
• Lesson 7: Registration - The Three Primary Types of Organ Registration
• Lesson 8: Theory - Time Classification, Note and Rest Values
• Lesson 9: Registration - Chorus Registration
• Played Assignment 2 (Begin working on this as soon as you complete Played Assignment 1)
• Lesson 10: Theory - Time Signatures
• Lesson 11: Registration - Hymn Registration in Congregational Singing
• Played Assignment 3 (Begin working on this as soon as you complete Played Assignment 2)
• Final Review

Study the reading assignment for each lesson with the goal of internalizing each concept thoroughly. When you have finished studying a lesson and feel ready, complete the online quiz for that lesson. Once you have submitted the quizzes for Lessons 1 and 2, you can complete the played assignments at any time. For information on how to prepare for the played assignments, see “Preparing for the Three Played Assignments.”

When you have completed Lessons 1 through 6, and Played Assignment 1, you can take the midcourse review. When you have completed all other lessons, the three played assignments, and the midcourse review, you can take the final review.

Course Completion

After completing all course requirements, if you would like to receive a certificate that documents your successful completion, please send an email with the following information to organ@byu.edu.

1. In the Subject line, please type: “Certificate of Completion”
2. In the main text, type your name (exactly as you want it to appear on the certificate), mailing address, e-mail address, the course you completed, and the date you passed the final review.

Please send the information via email within one month of completing the course. Your BYU Organ Faculty course instructor will then mail you a Certificate of Completion.

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Course Materials and Resources

Summary: The main textbook for this course contains materials developed for the Group Organ Program at Brigham Young University and for the Organ Study courses. Its primary strength lies in the written materials, worksheets, and exercises that cover a wide range of topics of importance to the early-level organist. It is revised frequently to meet the needs of the BYU organ program – including these courses. You and your teacher may wish to use the Davis, Gleason, or Keeler textbooks listed below for alternative exercises and studies that you might prepare for the played assignments.

Required:

• Cook, Don. The OrganTutor Workbook. Spanish Fork, UT: Ard Publications, n.d. ($23 or $9.50 pdf download)
  and
• Cook, Don. OrganTutor Online. BYU Creative Works Office, 2021 (6-month subscription $30, 3-year subscription $50)

The OrganTutor Workbook is the main course text, along with OrganTutor Online. The technique exercises and hymn projects appear in the workbook for practice, but are also demonstrated through video clips on OrganTutor Online. Organ registration and other concepts are illustrated through hundreds of audio clips. For more information, see the OrganTutor Website.

Organ Technique: The Method Books

To prepare for the quizzes and the two reviews, you are required to use The OrganTutor Workbook and OrganTutor Online as described above. For the organ technique portions of the three played assignments, you may use exercises from The OrganTutor Workbook or from one of the other three texts listed below as an alternative. You may choose any one or a combination of these books from which to play. You may even use another method book with the approval of your BYU Organ Faculty course instructor. Your local organ teacher may have a preference.

In the Organ Technique section of each played assignment you will find charts specifying the particular exercises or studies you need to prepare, according to the book(s) you choose to use. Whatever method book you choose should develop the same concepts and skills listed in those charts using comparable exercises. See Appendix A, “Where to Buy Organ Music.”

• Davis, Roger. The Organist’s Manual. New York: W. W. Norton, 1985. (Currently out of print but available used.) This organ method has found wide acceptance. It provides written instruction on important topics such as part playing, phrasing and articulation, fingering, and ornamentation. It also contains useful appendices. Davis uses a moderately thorough approach to teaching technique. The choice of repertoire and careful editing are particular strengths of this volume. Unfortunately, the book is now out of print and usually expensive to acquire - even used.

• Gleason, Harold. Method of Organ Playing. 8th ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1995. This has been a standard resource in organ instruction for many years. It represents a thorough approach to teaching technique, and contains generous written instruction on elements of performance practice and other important topics, with a wide range of carefully-edited repertoire. The refinement of this book reflects Harold Gleason's many years of experience during and after his tenure at the Eastman School of Music. Gleason's late wife Catharine Crozier continued with revisions in the editions published since his death. Unfortunately, the book is now out of print and usually expensive to acquire - even used.

• Keeler, J. J., and E Donnell Blackham. Basic Organ Techniques. 3rd ed. Bountiful, UT: Jackman Music, 1998. Many organists associated with Brigham Young University benefitted from the meticulous and thorough approach of J. J. Keeler. The technical studies in this volume represent a good approach to teaching legato technique. Some written instruction is included.

Music Theory

The Music Theory portion of this course is divided into three lessons (Lessons 3, 8, and 10), to be studied in order. The text for the music theory portion of Level 1, which is also used in Levels 2 and 3, is the following:

• Harder, Paul. Basic Materials in Music Theory. 9th through 13th ed. various publishers, 2000-2019.

   

Basic Materials in Music Theory is a programmed learning text in music theory, designed for self study. Chapters 1 through 5 of this book should be completed during the three Music Theory lessons of Level 1. We will focus on The Basic Materials of Music: Time and Sound; The Notation of Pitch; Time Classification; Note and Rest Values; and Time Signatures.

The theory portion of this course was designed around the ninth edition of this book. Although you may use earlier or later editions, you are responsible to align chapter titles and frame numbers with those given in the course. Because the most recent editions are very expensive, it is recommended that you go online (i.e., Amazon, Ebay) to find and purchase a used ninth edition or later. It will prove useful in Levels 1, 2, and 3.

Organ Repertoire

The three repertoire pieces required in this course should be selected from the lists contained in the three Played Assignment Instructions in the course. Those lists include pieces found in The OrganTutor Workbook and from other books that can be purchased separately. If you wish, in consultation with your local organ instructor, you may select pieces other than those included in the lists. In doing so, be sure to choose simple pieces that (1) require legato manual and pedal technique, and (2) that you will be able to polish in time.

Organ Registration

The Organ Registration portion of this course is divided into six lessons (Lessons 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 11), to be studied in order. The OrganTutor Workbook  and OrganTutor Online contain the needed materials in organ registration. Additional information may be found in the books listed in Appendix B. Each of the concepts should be thoroughly learned by first studying the sections given in The OrganTutor Workbook and OrganTutor Online, and then by using additional resources as needed.

A Music Theory lesson and an Organ Registration lesson can and should be studied at the same time. Studying music theory and organ registration together, while practicing one of the played assignments, will offer a varied and well-rounded learning experience in organ playing.

Piano Technique (Not Required)

The following method book is included to indicate the technical and musical skill required at this level, and as a recommendation for piano study concurrent with this level of organ competency. Piano technical study, while recommended, is not required at this level.

Alfred’s Basic Piano Library, Level 3. Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Publishing Co.

 

BYU Organ Faculty Resources

In addition to the materials you will receive from online for this level, other resources are available on the BYU Organ Study home page. Make use of this web resource as you continue organ study. It provides interesting organ-related resources, some of which are designed specifically for BYU Organ Course students.

Your BYU Organ Faculty Course Instructor, Dr. Neil Harmon, can answer most of your questions dealing with the subject matter of this course. Feel free to make contact by email at neil.harmon@byu.edu. For questions about course procedures and policies, please contact the BYU Organ Outreach Coordinator at organ@byu.edu.

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Assignments

Quizzes

After thoroughly studying each lesson, complete the corresponding quiz online. Quizzes consist of multiple-choice questions designed to offer immediate online feedback.

For most quizzes, you may choose to complete them with or without the aid of lesson materials. However, these concepts will be included in the midcourse and final reviews, for which you should not use any materials or resources for assistance. Whatever procedure you choose, strive for complete understanding of each concept.

After working through a quiz, when you are satisfied that it represents your best work, submit it for immediate online grading and feedback. Carefully review any feedback you receive and work on gaining a full understanding of any unclear concepts. Use the feedback as part of your preparation for the midcourse and final reviews.

Played Assignments 1, 2, and 3

This course includes three played assignments. You should complete Lessons 1 and 2 before playing Played Assignment 1 for an evaluator. For details on the content of the played assignments, see “Preparing for the Three Played Assignments” section below.

Prepare Played Assignment 1 by practicing the organ technique, organ repertoire, hymns, and sight-reading items required for that assignment. This process usually requires several weeks or months. When you are ready, follow the instructions given under An Approved Evaluator above.

You should complete the midcourse review before you complete Played Assignments 2 and 3.

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Preparing for the Three Played Assignments

Looking Ahead

Each of the three played assignments consists of up to four sections - organ technique, organ repertoire, hymn playing, and sight-reading. The evaluator will make point ratings for all sections on manual technique, pedal technique, accuracy of notes, and accuracy and steadiness of rhythm as applicable. In addition, they will evaluate certain sections for tempo, registration, musical effectiveness, and line (meaning consistent touch, clean articulation, musical phrasing, parts independent yet cohesive). The Played Assignment Instructions in the course map out exactly what is expected of you in each of the three played assignments. The method books contain the exercises and many of the pieces.

Preparation

Give your qualified organ teacher a copy of the requirements for the played assignment on which you are working. Whether or not your instructor is also the Approved Evaluator, the evaluation form for that played assignment will probably be most useful. The instructor will assist as needed in your preparation for each played assignment by teaching and offering feedback on your organ technique, organ repertoire, hymns, and sight-reading items specified for that assignment. Preparing for a played assignment usually requires between several weeks and up to four months.

In addition to the first played assignment itself, a quiz reviewing the essential manual and pedal techniques is included for Lessons 1 and 2. The quiz covers the information in The OrganTutor Workbook that accompanies the manual and pedal exercises listed in the played assignment. You should pass the quizzes in manual and pedal technique (Lessons 1 and 2) before completing Played Assignment 1.

Once you have passed the quizzes and feel that you are ready, make arrangements to play Played Assignment 1 for an approved evaluator (see below). Although you may play more than one played assignment in a single session (which is rarely successful), be sure to prepare each item thoroughly.

Meeting with the Evaluator

When you meet with the evaluator, if they are someone other than your teacher, do the following:

• Well before your meeting, email to them or deliver a printed copy of the Played Assignment Evaluation Form. If your evaluator will be mailing the form, bring a stamped self-addressed letter-sized envelope.

Organ Played Assignment Evaluation Form
3209 Music Building
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602

• Play the requirements for the evaluator, and pay the fee previously agreed upon.
• Have the evaluator email (preferably) or mail the completed evaluation form directly to the course instructor, who will post the scores to the online gradebook.

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Music 71 Played Assignment Evaluation Forms - Level 1

To email the form to your evaluator or teacher: click the link below to open the file, save it on your device, and then attach that file in an email.

To print the form and deliver it to your evaluator or teacher: open the form in Adobe Acrobat (free online download), print it, and give them also a stamped, self-addressed envelope (see the address above).

Played Assignment 1 Evaluation Form - .pdf (fillable pdf form)

Played Assignment 2 Evaluation Form - .pdf (fillable pdf form)

Played Assignment 3 Evaluation Form - .pdf (fillable pdf form)

Reviews

The Midcourse Review

The midcourse review, which consists of up to 50 multiple-choice questions, should be taken only after completing the respective lessons that it covers. This information is listed in the chart at the end of this section (Lessons 1–6). You should not use any materials or resources for assistance. Played Assignment 1 should be passed before taking the midcourse review. In order to space your studies throughout the year, plan to complete the midcourse review no later than six months into the course. See the "Midcourse Review Preparation" section of the course itself for more information.

Final Review

After passing the midcourse review to your satisfaction, complete the new lessons that are covered in the final review (Lessons 7–11). The final review, which consists of up to 50 multiple-choice questions, should be taken after the midcourse review, played assignments, and all quizzes have been completed. In addition to the new lessons, be sure to review those lessons from the midcourse review that will be covered again in the final. See the chart below and the "Final Review Preparation" section of this course for further information.

The midcourse review and the final review may be retaken if needed.

The following chart details the lessons covered in each review:

To successfully pass the reviews, review the lessons thoroughly by re-reading the text(s), the feedback from the quizzes, and your notes.

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Grading

The grading scale used in this course for all assignments, reviews, and for final grading is as follows. Note that a grade of D- (70 percent) or above is required on all assignments and reviews in order to pass the level.

Your eleven quizzes are worth 3 percent each or 33 percent of your total grade. Played Assignments 1 and 2 are worth 15 percent each; Played Assignment 3 is 20 percent. The midcourse review is 7 percent, and the final review is 10 percent.

Remember, you must pass all assignments and reviews to pass the course.

Best wishes!

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Copyright Notice

The materials used in connection with this online course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated. Any copying or further dissemination of these materials may be subject to applicable U.S. Copyright Laws. For questions or more information, please visit the BYU Copyright Licensing Office website.

“Members of the BYU community who willfully disregard this Copyright Policy or the BYU Copyright Guidelines place themselves individually at risk of legal action and may incur personal liability for their conduct. The unauthorized use or distribution of copyrighted material, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, may subject individuals to civil and criminal liabilities, including actual and statutory damages, costs and fees of litigation, fines, and imprisonment…

Violations of the Copyright Policy may result in university disciplinary action including termination of university enrollment or employment.” (Emphasis added. Excerpt taken from the BYU Copyright Policy)

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University Policy - Title IX Statement

Preventing & Responding to Sexual Misconduct

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Brigham Young University prohibits unlawful sex discrimination against any participant in its education programs or activities. The university also prohibits sexual harassment—including sexual violence—committed by or against students, university employees, and visitors to campus. As outlined in university policy, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are considered forms of "Sexual Misconduct" prohibited by the university.

University policy requires all university employees in a teaching, managerial, or supervisory role to report all incidents of Sexual Misconduct that come to their attention in any way, including but not limited to face-to-face conversations, a written class assignment or paper, class discussion, email, text, or social media post. Incidents of Sexual Misconduct should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at t9coordinator@byu.edu or (801) 422-8692. Reports may also be submitted through EthicsPoint at the Title IX website or 1-888-238-1062 (24-hours a day).

BYU offers confidential resources for those affected by Sexual Misconduct, including the university’s Victim Advocate, as well as a number of non-confidential resources and services that may be helpful. Additional information about Title IX, the university’s Sexual Misconduct Policy, reporting requirements, and resources can be found at the Title IX website or by contacting the university’s Title IX Coordinator.

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Accessibility Notice

BYU is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere which reasonably accommodates persons with disabilities who are otherwise qualified to participate in BYU's programs and activities. In this spirit, BYU Independent Study aspires to improve web accessibility for users. While not required by law, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Levels A and AA provide a wide range of helpful recommendations to make Web content more accessible. BYU Independent Study strives to apply WCAG 2.0 recommendations where feasible, but may deviate from any recommendations that would result in an undue hardship to BYU Independent Study or alterations to program and course content and objectives. If you have questions about accessibility, or if you need to report problems with any accessibility features please see our Accessibilities and Accommodations Web Page.

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