Organ & Sheet Music Blog

An empty multi-manual pipe organ console glowing in warm light in a dark, vaulted church, with the organ bench in the foreground

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee: The Story Behi...

The story behind Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee: a medieval Latin poem, a grieving translator, the ST. AGNES tune, and how to play it on the organ.

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee: The Story Behi...

The story behind Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee: a medieval Latin poem, a grieving translator, the ST. AGNES tune, and how to play it on the organ.

Close-up of an organist's hands playing the warm wooden manuals of a pipe organ in soft light

How to Plan Prelude Music for Sacrament Meeting

Plan sacrament meeting prelude music that invites reverence: choosing hymns, soft organ registration, and ending gracefully before the opening hymn.

How to Plan Prelude Music for Sacrament Meeting

Plan sacrament meeting prelude music that invites reverence: choosing hymns, soft organ registration, and ending gracefully before the opening hymn.

An organist's hand on the upper manual of a warm wooden pipe organ console, with drawknobs at the side and open sheet music on the music rack

How to Sight-Read a Hymn on Short Notice

Asked to play hymns at the last minute? A ward organist shares how to sight-read with confidence: what to check first, picking a tempo, and simplifying.

How to Sight-Read a Hymn on Short Notice

Asked to play hymns at the last minute? A ward organist shares how to sight-read with confidence: what to check first, picking a tempo, and simplifying.

Close-up of an organist's hands playing the warm wooden manuals of a pipe organ in soft golden light

I Need Thee Every Hour: A Piano and Organ Duet ...

A tender piano and organ duet of I Need Thee Every Hour for sacrament meeting, plus the hymn's story and tips for rehearsing with your ward's organist.

I Need Thee Every Hour: A Piano and Organ Duet ...

A tender piano and organ duet of I Need Thee Every Hour for sacrament meeting, plus the hymn's story and tips for rehearsing with your ward's organist.

An older organist's weathered hands in a plaid flannel sleeve resting on the wooden manuals of a pipe organ in warm, low light

The Story Behind “Come, Thou Fount of Every Ble...

A converted hairdresser's apprentice, an 1813 folk tune, and the line "prone to wander": the story behind Come, Thou Fount, now hymn 1001 in our hymnbook.

The Story Behind “Come, Thou Fount of Every Ble...

A converted hairdresser's apprentice, an 1813 folk tune, and the line "prone to wander": the story behind Come, Thou Fount, now hymn 1001 in our hymnbook.

Organist seated at a warmly lit pipe organ console beneath the pipe case, seen from behind

How to Play a Hymn Introduction the Congregatio...

How long should a hymn introduction be? A ward organist on how much to play, setting the tempo, and the beat of silence that starts everyone together.

How to Play a Hymn Introduction the Congregatio...

How long should a hymn introduction be? A ward organist on how much to play, setting the tempo, and the beat of silence that starts everyone together.