13 Workshops to Choose From
Super Saturday 2026 offers an array of workshops from historical topics, choral music, open console, organ registration, injury prevention and technology. Read below for short descriptions of the workshops and click the names to read more about the presenters.
Featured Artist
Dr. David Pickering is the guest artist this year. He will present a workshop on the life of G. Donald Harrison and perform a concert in Libby Gardner Hall in the afternoon.
Delve into the legacy of G. Donald Harrison, the visionary British-American organ builder who transformed the American organ landscape in the 20th century.
This captivating workshop explores the life, innovations, and enduring influence of Harrison, whose tenure at the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company from 1927 to 1955 marked a golden era of organ design, blending classical European traditions with American ingenuity.
Led by organ historian and performer Dr. David Pickering, this workshop is ideal for organists, musicologists, and enthusiasts seeking to appreciate the craftsmanship behind the “King of Instruments.”
No prior knowledge required—just a passion for organ history!
Choral Music and Accompaniment
Leaning on decades of experience, Dr. Christiansen will share useful tips and tricks to successfully accompany choirs of any size with the organ.
Elevate your skills as an organist with this dynamic workshop focused on the art of choral accompaniment. Designed for organists of all levels, this session explores the essential techniques and musical sensitivity required to support and enhance choral performances, from sacred anthems to large-scale oratorios. Learn how to become a collaborative partner to choirs and conductors while mastering the organ’s unique capabilities.
Discover strategies for effective registration to balance and complement vocal textures, navigate dynamic changes.
Harry and Bonita Cross will share a curated selection of accessible choral pieces, suitable for the Easter season. A choral packet available for purchase here.
Celebrate the joy and triumph of the Easter season through song in this vibrant choral music read-through workshop! Explore and perform a curated selection of Easter choral repertoire, from timeless sacred anthems to festive contemporary works.
Whether you’re a seasoned chorister or a beginner eager to sing, this workshop offers a welcoming space to experience the power of Easter music.
Accompanied by a pianist, the workshop emphasizes collaborative music-making, with opportunities to refine phrasing, dynamics, and expression. Join us to immerse yourself in the beauty of Easter choral music and share in the spirit of communal singing!
AGO Certification
Have you thought about professional certification and taking an AGO National Exam but weren’t sure where to start? Then, this is the workshop for you!
This comprehensive workshop is your guide to navigating the AGO National Exams and achieving certification success.
Learn about the structure and requirements of each AGO certification level, from repertoire and sight-reading to ear training and hymn playing.
Designed for organists seeking to earn credentials such ash as the Service Playing Certificate (SPC), Colleague (CAGO), Associate (AAGO), or Fellow (FAGO). This session demystifies the process and equips you with the tools to excel.
Open Consoles
Renowned for its rich tonal range and versatility, this instrument brings music to life in one of Utah’s finest acoustic spaces. Dive into the organ’s intricate design and diverse stops that create everything from delicate flutes to commanding reeds.
Participants will enjoy hands-on time at the console, experimenting with the organ’s capabilities and playing excerpts from classic and modern repertoire.
Immerse yourself in the world of classical organ craftsmanship with this custom-built masterpiece from the renowned Dutch firm Flentrop Orgelbouw. Installed in 2018 as the only instrument of its kind in the Intermountain West, this exquisite practice organ offers unparalleled insight into mechanical-action design and Baroque-inspired tonalities.
Discover the organ’s specifications, including its three manuals and four ranks, and explore its role in elevating the university’s organ program through high-quality practice and performance opportunities.
Organ Registration
New to the organ? Learn the basics of organ registration in a hands-on class taught on an instrument similar to what you might encounter in many LDS meetinghouses.
This beginner-friendly workshop introduces the art and science of organ registration, the process of selecting and combining stops to create the perfect sound for any piece of music. Learn about principals, flutes, reeds, and strings, and how they shape the instrument’s voice.
Designed for novice organists, pianists transitioning to organ, or anyone interested in the instrument, this session offers a welcoming entry into the world of organ tone color. Discover how to interpret registration suggestions in sheet music, match sounds to musical styles, and create effective registrations for hymns, solo works, and accompaniments.
This workshop is intended for those with more experience playing the organ. Dr. Bott will demonstrate more advanced organ registration techniques using a 3-manual instrument.
Take your organ performance to the next level with this in-depth workshop on advanced organ registration techniques. Designed for experienced organists and those with a solid foundation in organ playing, this session dives deep into the art of crafting nuanced, expressive, and historically informed registrations to enhance your musical interpretations.
Explore advanced concepts such as voicing balance, tonal architecture, and the use of mutations, mixtures, and reeds to create dynamic and stylistically appropriate sounds. Learn how to adapt registrations to different organ types (Baroque, Romantic, or modern) and acoustics, while navigating complex repertoire from Bach to Messiaen.
Ever wondered what to use for a Baroque solo other than the cornet? Come learn more about authentic Baroque registration and perhaps discover some new options.
Journey back to the roots of organ music with this specialized workshop on pre-Baroque organ registration, tailored for organists eager to explore the authentic sounds of Renaissance and early Baroque repertoire (c. 1400–1600).
Designed for advanced players, this session uncovers the art of registration for music by composers like Frescobaldi, Sweelinck, and Byrd.
Discover how to craft registrations that reflect historical practices, emphasizing clarity, color, and expressive voicing suited to the intimate acoustics of early organs. Unlock the vibrant soundworld of pre-Baroque music and enrich your performances with historically informed artistry!
Injury Prevention
Dr. Kim will share useful strategies for avoiding the types of stress injuries common to keyboard players, as well as helpful recovery techniques.
Protect your musical career by learning essential techniques for injury prevention in this specialized workshop tailored for organists. Focused on the upper extremities—hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders—this session addresses the unique physical demands of organ playing, from intricate manual techniques to sustained postures at the console. Ideal for organists of all levels, this workshop empowers you to play with confidence and longevity.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned performer, this session will equip you with tools to maintain healthy upper extremities for a lifetime of music-making. Join us to prioritize your physical well-being and sustain your passion for organ performance!
Build an Organ
Because why should kids get to have all the fun?! Build an Orgelkids pipe organ from start to finish.
Join us for an exciting, hands-on workshop where participants of all ages will assemble a real, working Orgelkids pipe organ!
Designed to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of organ enthusiasts, this interactive session brings the magic of organ-building to life using the innovative Orgelkids kit, a portable, educational organ designed for exploration and discovery.
No prior musical or technical knowledge is required—just bring your enthusiasm and curiosity for a one-of-a-kind musical adventure!
Want to know more about the organ?
Also known as “Everything you wanted to know about the organ but were too afraid to ask.”
Led by an experienced organist, this session will answer all your burning questions—whether about technique, repertoire, you name it.
This engaging and interactive workshop is designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike, demystifying the “King of Instruments” in a welcoming, no-questions-too-small environment.
Learn about the organ’s role in various musical traditions, its unique features like manuals, pedals, and stops, and even get a chance to try playing one yourself! No prior musical knowledge required, just curiosity and a willingness to learn.
Let Technology Help You
Curious about using an iPad for score reading? This workshop will walk you through the basics of score preparation using the forScore app.
Learn how to organize your digital music library, annotate scores, and navigate performances. Our expert instructor will guide you through practical tips for customizing forScore to suit your performance needs, integrating with cloud storage, and troubleshooting common issues.
Bring your iPad or iOS device to follow along with interactive demonstrations and try forScore’s tools in real time. Join us to unlock the full potential of forScore and take your performances to the next level with confidence and efficiency!