By:  Brandon Ramos (St. Matthias Music Director) & Billy & Linda Morris 

     In 2007, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a document entitled, “Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship”. This important statement addressed many aspects of Catholic Church Music, and it had this to say about organs in our churches. 
Among all other instruments which are suitable for divine worship, the organ is “accorded pride of place” because of its capacity to sustain the singing of a large gathered assembly, due to both its size and its ability to give “resonance to the fullness of human sentiments, from joy to sadness, from praise to lamentation.”  Likewise, “the manifold possibilities of the organ in some way remind us of the immensity and the magnificence of God.” 

       The organ has been the driving force of sacred music since the 14th century.  Pipe organs have grown to be expansive and enveloping large portions of church spaces.  Digital advances, however, have allowed more Catholic Churches afford a digital organ that can approach replicating the sounds of pipe organs in Cathedrals while maintaining a smaller footprint for a much smaller cost. A new traditional pipe organ can easily cost $1-2 million, while a new digital organ only costs $50,000 - $110,000. 
      In our extensive research of highly regarded organ manufacturers, including feedback from music directors and pastors with similar organ systems experience, we privately purchased a new Rodgers Imagine 351-D Series Organ.  We donated it to Father Chris and our St. Matthias Catholic Church community in the hopes to complement and fill our beautiful new church with the sounds and voices it deserves. We fully believe and know that in improving the music within the Mass, including hopefully creating more excitement and interest in our music ministry and choir participation, we provide the needed additional mechanisms to grow our parish, especially in our Youth Ministry and related music endeavors.

       The cost of the new organ system is $67,000, fully installed, and comes with a 10-year warranty.  This includes a custom-made organ console, 8-channel stand-alone speaker system, and is anchored by two ultra-low frequency subwoofers (capable to replicate the sound of 32-foot bass organ pipes).  While this may seem like a lot of money (and it is), this organ is designed to last almost as long as our new church; therefore, the annualized cost spread out over the entire life of the new church ends up being a negligible amount in the long run. Rodgers Organs have been manufactured since 1958, and is a highly respected manufacturer used in and relied upon by many churches around the world. 
     We now have a much greater opportunity to grow our parish, to strengthen and grow our Music Ministry (especially with our youth, as witnessed by Ms. Aubrey Grimm), and perhaps even have a way to bring in additional income for our church.  Ideas and examples of this could include various sacred music festivals, local schools use who have Madrigal Choirs, hosting monthly recitals, and even hosting multi-faith endeavors promoting sacred music within the city of Magnolia.

       In conclusion, St. Matthias’ new organ system has long been overdue and is now greatly needed and well deserved.  The new organ system is designed to ensure our beautiful and grand new church has the sound and voice to help remind us of the immensity and the magnificence of God.  We know, without a doubt, you will be completely pleased with your investment and the dividends it will pay for all of us for decades to come.