[rodgersorgan] Posted from another list...
- From: noel jones <gedeckt@xxxxxxxx>
- To: rodgersorgan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, rodneybar@xxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 16:57:50 -0400
<From another list>
One of the publications I receive periodically is entitled "Christian Sound &
Song." Its latest issue carries the cover story "Digital Organ's New Role:
MIDI Controller." I find it interesting that Rodgers full page ad is on the
inside of the front cover and that the ad flaunts "your blended worship
requires a blended organ!" Of additional interest is that the feature
article is written by Rodney L. Barbour. His bio lists him as a M.M. from
University of Cincinnati, organist and choir director of a United Methodist
Church, and a product specialist for Rodgers Instruments. I shall not
attempt to summarize the article contents except to say that it extolls the
virtues of MIDI, the digital organ as a platform for its control, and offers
examples of how this new convention fits in the modern worship setting. This
leads me to wonder if Rodgers may be widening their vision to make their
products of the future more inclusive rather than exclusive. As there is a
growing popularity for contemporary or "blended worship" settings,
particularly in Christian music, my speculation may not be far afield but I
readily confess that I have no credible evidence that Rodgers may concentrate
on a broader base for its instruments than the strict convention of organ
design.
We of orthodox persuasion have resisted, even railed against this evolution
in church music. Despite our objections, the movement is growing in
popularity and preference ~ especially among the younger set which is the
future of the parish and the denomination. This has not been lost on
hierarchical administrators within the mainstream denominations who, of
necessity, must give due consideration to numbers as well as theological
propriety and correctness. As a church musician with organist/choirmaster
responsibilities, I am continually encouraged to be more inclusive of new
music forms and not become embedded in tradition as the end of the
evolutionary path.
It may well come to pass that some organ manufacturer of the future will
follow the market, not convention, as a means for profitability and growth.
Among the major players today, all are seemingly concerned with synthetic
reproduction of pipe sounds in a near-flawless manner. The pursuit of
excellence in this capacity should not be lessened. However, there is
already a huge and growing market for alternative design to accommodate
contemporary and/or blended worship music. It may be a fad but with secular
influences on cultural preference in music, I doubt it.
The market for traditional organs of classic convention will always be
present, and thank Heaven for that. But it is a restrictive market, an
expensive one, and with the advent of technology for both pipe and digital, a
less repetitive market in terms of future sales. It holds that eventually an
organ builder will recognize the need for an alternative form of organ
design. The market is already in place, it is growing in an exponential
manner, and someone stands to benefit substantially in meeting that need
which, for all practical purposes, is being ignored in pursuit of the perfect
pipe substitute by all builders. Whether Rodgers has seen the wider playing
field is left to speculation. But someone eventually will grasp the reality
of the moment, and their bottom line will reflect the positive results of
proactive marketing and product development.
Having said all this, I am still a traditionalist and make no apologies for
my orthodox views regarding worship music. But I am also cognizant that
orthodoxy is, in and of itself, evolutionary. It is my choice not to evolve
into the "happy-clappy" craze as I cannot relate to it, do not appreciate it,
and find no spiritual uplift from its rather shallow composition. Others do,
and will scratch the itch with an adaptable organ or no organ at all. That
is my point, should you have missed it altogether.
<In my opinion, well said! - Noel>
--
noel jones, aago
athens, tennessee, usa
423 887-7594
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frog music press, publishing MIDI music
moderator, rodgers organ users group
at www.frogmusic.com
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