8. I've got a case of the "-tions"

Modulation.
Transposition.
Harmonization.

Not to mention articulation, registration, and interpretation. I've got a case of the "-tions".

Being now 2 days away from the exam, I'm feeling focused. I know what is left to do and I have a vague sense of how long it is going to take to get there. I had my first practice session yesterday and spent the one and a half hours getting comfortable with the organ and getting my registrations set. Beyond setting pistons for the 7 pieces of repertoire (3 solo works, 2 accompaniments, and 2 hymns), it was important to me that I know enough about the organ that I could intelligently register when it comes time for the modulation and transposition sections.

And boy, am I glad we get those 20 minutes before the exam! I read in the examination guidelines that they suggest devoting 5 minutes to each of the sections (not including sightreading, of course). Speaking of sightreading - the guideline book for the CAGO has a really great sightreading example on the last page. Make sure to give it a look. It is a great barometer for where you are in that skill.

I have been trying to do at least two hymn transposition practices everyday. The example on the exam won't be exactly a hymn, but it will be hymn-like and the hymnal is a great practice book. I open it up to wherever it falls and play it five times: at pitch, then down a half step, then down a whole step, then up a half step, and finally up a whole step. I go down first because I find it more difficult. You might need to adjust that practice for your own strengths.

So tonight I'll work on slow practice of the repertoire so I can make sure I know the notes really well. Thankfully, the technical side of the rep isn't too difficult but there are a few "fiddly bits" that I need to tidy. Tomorrow is my second practice time and I am going to use that last hour and a half to get as comfortable as I can with every registration change and with the organ as a whole.

See you on the other side!

7. Handy-dandy AGO Materials

Okay... the countdown is officially in full swing. I'm looking at a perfect 10 days to go! I'll be honest with you- I'm stressing out. I tell you this not to make you nervous but to share that everyone stresses out about these things. Its only natural. Don't let the stress or the nervousness keep you from what you want or need. The best things in life are worth fighting for.

I wanted to take the rest of this post and write about the materials that the AGO offers to aid in studying. I ordered two booklets: Preparing for AGO Exams and Colleague Examination Study Guidelines 

You can also order past AGO exams and solutions which I didn't order but would recommend.  (I'm not even sure they were up when I was online shopping...)

You should definitely at least order a few of these materials. You can get them here: AGO Store

It is really helpful to read these- they make the requirements and the expectations very black and white. I don't know about you, but I find this a helpful tool. Its easy to feel like you're doing this challenge all by yourself - these tools can give you the support and an extra boost of motivation you might need in the last few weeks and days.

Its getting real time for me. My college organ professor always says: the last 10% takes the last 90%. Which is to say that 90% of your effort is really going to go to that niggly last 10% of tidying up and "perfecting" the music. Of course, I used quotation marks with the word perfection. I honestly don't think the exam proctors are looking for perfection- I believe that the goal is to encourage personal and professional growth within the membership and to give us all extra boost when applying for positions.

So up for me next is just continuing on with the work every single day. I make a point of working on everything everyday. I usually start with the repertoire and then do transposition and modulation and then go into the accompaniments.

It is my greatest wish that this little blog of mine is providing you support and encouragement on your own AGO certification journey.

6. Back to the Organ!

Whew.... Well, it has been an eventful past few days here in Connecticut. We had a huge snow storm (in October?!) and the power went out all over the state. Luckily, my house did not lose power but the church did- which meant no organ practicing for me. *hmph*

I spent the last two days working from the confines of my toasty home and practicing on my piano. Oddly, the rest of Westport had their power back a long time before the church but happily power was restored late last night. Today's task is to add pedals to the Gerald Near "Puer Nobis Nascitur" that I learned over the past days on my piano. I'm really enjoying this piece and would recommend playing it.

Also, I'll work on the Mozart "Laudate Dominum". I learned this MANY years ago when I was a teenager but only learned to play it on the piano. Why I did that; I have no idea. It will actually be easier on the organ with the pedal assisting the left hand- it is an awful lot of jumps to do without it!

Lastly, a big thank you for reading my humble little blog. I hope you're enjoying the journey- I certainly am! Things will pick up over the next few days because I'm just one day shy of two weeks to go (eek!), so I'm hoping to blog almost everyday. Stay tuned!