Irene Besse Keyboards

CHURCH ORGANS

Irene Besse Keyboards is proud to sell and install Rodgers Digital Organs. Rodgers Organ Company has been building organs since 1958. In fact, Rodgers is the largest builder of pipe/digital combination Organs in the world.

Pipe vs. Digital

If resources are unlimited, a True Pipe Organ is unmatched. If resources are limited (and now we're talking less than a quarter-million dollars), then a digital organ may be a real option. Rodgers has mastered the art of blending real pipes with digital sounds to save space, cost and maintenance fees, while at the same time enabling churches to get the tonal resources of a pipe organ they could only dream of.

Many congregations choose to invest in a large, capable pipe combination (both pipe & digital stops) or fully digital Rodgers Organ over a pipe organ for many reasons. The first is cost, the second is tonal resources available to the organist. The more stops, the more the organist can do. A digital or pipe combination organ makes all the sense in the world when funds are an issue. But don't think that you're settling. The technology of today is so good, a very trained ear is hard pressed to hear the difference. And they're getting better every day. So good, in fact, that St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal (one of Canada's largest worship spaces) has chosen Rodgers to build a new custom organ for them!

Disadvantages to Pipe Organs

1. Expensive
2. Goes out of tune
3. Require ongoing maintenance
4. Maintenance is expensive and hard to acquire
5. Very difficult to change the 'voice' of the organ

SERVICES WE OFFER

- Pipe organs & Combination Organs
- Digital Organs
- Customizing your Organ
- Console Replacement

Training

While digital organs solve many of the mechanical issues associated with pipe organs, the new buttons, combination actions, lights, and all around new technology can sometimes be daunting. We understand this. We will come out and train your organist on the new instrument. We want you to sound fantastic...AND be comfortable at the console. And you will be. We promise!

Great Videos about Rodgers:

Hector Olivera - Concert Organist - Plays "The King" by Rodgers

For Classical Organ Lessons in Calgary please contact:
Mount Royal College Organ Academy - click for more information

Rodgers Organ greets Pope Benedict in Brazil

Rodgers events in Canada

Notable installations include:

St. Joseph's Oratory, Montreal NEW!!
Carnegie Hall, NY, NY
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, Oregon
Second Baptist Church, Houston, TX
Barrus Concert Hall, BYU-Idaho
Cathedral of Turin's Sindone Chapel (Shroud of Turin)

Temporary Installations

Washington National Cathedral, Washington D.C.
Hereford Cathedral, Hereford, UK
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Core, London
University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Local Rodgers Installations

Living Spirit United Church, Calgary SW
Trinity Lutheran Church, Pincher Creek, AB
Iglesia Ni Christo, Calgary SE
St. Thomas More Roman Catholic, Calgary NE
St. Piux X Roman Catholic Church
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church
Numerous private residences

With trained, working church organists, and a staff with over 130 years combined in church music of all types, count on Irene Besse Keyboards to help you find whatever you're looking for. Whether it's a keyboard, piano, or organ, we've got all the bases covered. Plus, as we're active church musicians ourselves, we have a passion for what you're trying to do.

Please don't hesitate to give us a call for anything. We're here to serve you and your congregations.

For more information on Rodgers or Steinway Institutional Programs, please contact:

Carlos Foggin
Director, Worship Department

(403) 252-7770 ext. 306

email Mr. Foggin

Mr. Carlos Foggin is an active member of the following organizations:
The Royal Canadian College of Organists (click for site)
The local Calgary Chapter of the RCCO (click for site)
and the Calgary Society of Organists (newletter)