Church Organs and Rock & Roll MIDI meet in a web Users Group.

User group assists staid church organist in applying rock & roll MIDI to church worship.

The church organ is one of the oldest musical instruments so the current trend to add rock and roll MIDI computer interfacing to the organ has created a web users discussion group.

The term MIDI describes a common interface between rock and roll musical instruments such as keyboards, samplers and synthesizers. Using a MIDI interface cable multiple keyboards can all be played by one person at a master keyboard.

"It didn't take long for church organ builders to discover that MIDI has some strong applications for church music programs." says Lauren Gadd, a composer of church music with a long association with LifeWay, a church music publisher in Nashville. "As a composer I enjoy being able write for organ, piano and handbells like I always have, and with MIDI now I can add strings, harp and timpani, instruments you don't normally find in the smaller churches with limited music budgets."

MIDI also offers recording using a sequencer, producing disks that play the organ like the old-time player pianos. Organists who double as choir directors are pleased to able to purchase or record anthem accompaniments themselves so they can get both hands free to conduct the choir.

MIDI is even used to play carillons in Holland and Belgium, often turning on lights to illuminate the tower while it plays after dark. Townspeople are often surprised to hear the carillon playing while their carilloneur is off on vacation in the south of France, as the computer MIDI clock automatically plays music the carilloneur recorded using MIDI before leaving town.

The users group most recognized for its work in helping organists find and use MIDI applications if the Rodgers Organ Users Group at www.frogmusic.com. Moderator of the group, Noel Jones, says, "While the group name features the Rodgers Organ, members of the group play all kinds of organs and enjoy helping people get started using MIDI and the organ."

The email discussion group is fully moderated. "This tends to help keep out spam and insures that we stay on topic, " says Jones who founded the group tow years ago. "Most church organists are part-time and as a result don't have a lot of time to read through email. They tend to ask what they want to know and the group responds quickly."

There is no charge for group membership nor are you required to be able to play the organ. The group membership link can be found at www.frogmusic.com.