Chords & Keys, Level 2: Organ Book

This book earned its Federation Festivals selection by building genuine organ competency rather than treating the instrument as a secondary keyboard. Clark and Glover structure the progression so students develop proper pedal technique and registration understanding alongside manual skills—essentials that separate organ playing from piano adaptation.

The pieces in this collection offer a satisfying middle ground between simple studies and concert-level works. Each selection rewards careful practice with musical payoff, whether through elegant phrasing, textural interest, or the particular resonance organ repertoire provides.

Young organists transitioning from Level 1 who are ready to apply foundational technique to a wider repertoire. This book serves students preparing for festival performances and those seeking structured repertoire that balances pedagogical goals with musical substance.

• Establish a consistent practice routine for pedal independence before combining it with manual passages; isolate the feet first, then layer hands gradually.
• Explore the organ's registration options during practice to understand how different stop combinations change the character of each piece.
• Pay attention to phrasing through subtle dynamic shaping using the swell pedal rather than abrupt manual changes.
• Work with a metronome on pieces that require steady pulse maintenance, especially those with running passages that demand rhythmic precision.

Select pieces from this book for solo recitals, festival performances, or church services where Level 2 repertoire fits the acoustic and liturgical setting. The 48-page format provides enough material for a semester of study without overwhelming a developing organist.

• Pedal-manual coordination and independence
• Registration selection and stop management
• Phrase shaping using the swell pedal
• Reading and executing organ-specific notation
• Sustaining steady tempo across longer forms