C U S T O M E R    T E S T I M O N I A L S

"Hi Nelson!

I just wanted to drop you a note and tell you how pleased we are with the new (2009) Rodgers organ in the new church. The tone is lovely and warm, wrapping around those sitting in the congregation. I have had at least three visiting organists ask me where the pipes are. All three told me that it was the best digital organ they had ever played or heard.

Now that we have added the Roland MX-200 MIDI box, the tonal combinations seem endless. We used the MX-200 last Sunday for the first time. People gasped and craned their necks around when the "brass quartets" made their appearance during the opening hymn (Crown Him with Many Crowns). Coupled with the organ stops, the sound is overwhelmingly beautiful. Many is the time I have to choke back tears because the organ is just magical. My soloist sang "Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring" at the same Mass, accompanied by Peter Merlin on viola, and myself using one of the many string orchestras and harpsichord on the MX-200. Father John sat is his chair and just wept. I was truly one of those magical, musical moments in a musician's life.

Thanks for providing a wonderful instrument for us. I have only just scratched the surface and can't wait to find out what hidden treasures lay in wait for me.

Sincerely,

Wayne Warren
Director of Music
St. Anne Catholic Church
Ruskin, Florida"

"Dear David:

We have now had our Rodgers Trillium Masterpiece four-manual organ for a little over six months and I wanted to take time to tell you how pleased we are with the purchase.

The organ sounds spectacular in our sanctuary and is certainly the next best thing to having a pipe organ.

The purchase process from selection and purchase to installation and voicing was very smooth thanks to you and the other staff of Central Music. We appreciate the efficiency and knowledge that you demonstrated.

It was exciting to host an excellent organist, Brad Gee, for our organ dedication concert and we were glad to have you share that day with us. Of course, this was also special because Brad is the son of one of our members who was instrumental in raising funds for the new organ.

Thanks for all your help thus far. We look forward to a long and happy working relationship with you and many beautiful music from our Rodgers organ."

~Carolyn Campbell, Director of Music, First Presbyterian Church, Mount Dora, Florida

"I surely believe that with the purchase and installation of the Rodgers Trillium organ, First Presbyterian Church possesses the finest digital church organ available! Considering price, features, quality, and product support, the Rodgers digital church organ truly sets the standard. I would not hesitate to recommend Central Music and Rodgers to any church or individual looking to purchase a superior digital church organ!"

~Howard Fowler, Organist, First Presbyterian Church, Leesburg, Florida

"It is a joy to play the new Rodgers 967 with Ruffatti pipes! I haven't been blessed with a three-manual instrument since high school, so I'm really enjoying the opportunity. This organ has many variations of sound with which to lead people in worship. I look forward to each weekend. The MIDI is also a blessing to many. Last Sunday, a third grade member stopped me in the grocery store to ask how the organ could play while I attended communion. Prerecording music is another feature that I'm enjoyi

ng. Last fall, for an all day prayer meeting, members were pleased with the quiet music playing all day while no one was sitting at the bench. Artists who have come to give a concert or to lead worship, have also expressed happiness with the experience.

This instrument was a wise investment."

~Gloria Klockziem, Minister of Music, Worship and Celebration Arts, Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Lakeland, Florida

"To Prospective Organ Buyers:
My church and I both have new Rodgers Allegiant 778 organs. The 778 is truly a fabulous and unique instrument. It's hard to imagine all the 'stuff' Rodgers can put into a relatively small instrument package. The sounds are extraordinary and the versatility and performance is awesome.

The congregation at my church was thoroughly amazed! They think they are in a cathedral. The church instrument was installed with a 10-channel, 1,000 watt audio system using Rodgers new smaller flat-panel speakers and two small subwoofers. Stunning! We also included the MX-200 sound module and the MR-200 16-track recorder that makes this the "King of Instruments."

My home installation, OPUS 763, is the self-contained version of the 778 with antiphonal. I am having a super time playing my Rodgers instrument."

~Steve Knecht, Organist and Music Director, Holy Faith Episcopal Church, Port Saint Lucie, Florida

"This is the most musical organ I've had the privilege to play. The sounds are so authentic, it feels like I'm playing a great pipe organ. Our decision was influenced by the great things we had heard about Central Music and Rodgers, and after hearing the wonderful organ at St. Jude's Cathedral in St. Petersburg our minds were made up!"

~Gregory Schroder, Organist/Director of Music, Community Presbyterian Church, Celebration, FL

"I have always enjoyed my relationship with Nelson Newby and the staff of Central Music. They have never ceased to deliver the most prompt service whenever a problem arose. Central Music's assistance in selecting a new organ for our worship center was offered with extreme professionalism. The new Rodgers 960 goes beyond my musical expectations - it is truly a marvelous instrument. I am also delighted with our relationship with Regional Manager Marlon Scott and the support he offers."

~Rob Flint, Minister of Praise and Worship, McGregor Baptist Church, Ft. Myers, FL

"The Rodgers 950 organ has exceeded our expectations with its incredible possibility of sounds. We like the MIDI box and its ability to blend orchestral and contemporary sounds with traditional organ capabilities. Marlon Scott has been most helpful with accompanist training. Keep up the good work!"

~Deborah Pratt, Organist, Hope Lutheran Church, Bonita Springs, FL

"The diversity of this instrument is incredible, from the simple sounds to the simply grand. We are just touching the tip of the iceberg. The workshops are very helpful. It is a personal pleasure to play our Rodgers organ!"

~Ellen Krueger, Organist and Mark Hoppe, Pastor, Abiding Love Lutheran Church, Cape Coral, FL

"Dear Nelson and David,

I wish to thank you and Rodgers Instruments for the installation of our Rodgers three manual organ. From our first contact, I was treated professionally, helpfully and timely. All my questions were answered. I enjoyed traveling to Orlando and seeing your demonstration. Thank you again for lunch.

While the installation had several challenges, all was completed to Fr. Page's and my satisfaction. Bill Schaffer did an excellent job voicing the organ and showing me its capabilities. Holy Name of Jesus parishioners are eager to hear William Picher dedicate the organ this November."

~George Kobosko, Director of Music/Liturgy, Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Indialantic, Florida

"Dear Central Music,

Thank you for the responsive and excellent service of our chapel organ. Paul Meyer did an excellent and timely work, as always. Hi is not only a competent technician, but a warm individual and a credit to your organization. The instruments works as it was designed to work and the wedding last Saturday went very well. God Bless you. Thank you again."

~Gary E. Upleger, Pastor and Walter Emery, Music Director, Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church, Hollywood, Florida

"It is a joy to be able to report that the enormous task of renovating and improving the pipe organ at Clearwater First United Methodist Church has been a great success. The choir and the congregation remark weekly on the beautiful console and the increased variety of sounds that the organ produces. Every detail--the stoplist, the moving platform and elevator system, the digital herald trumpet at the rear of the sanctuary, the new principal chorus of Ruffatti pipes, the rewiring of the entire organ, was accomplished in a timely manner and with excellent results. I am grateful to the staff at Central Music for their skill and dedication to the goal of providing us with the best instrument possible."

~Bradley Swope, Director of Music Ministry, First United Methodist Church, Clearwater, Florida

"Greetings all:

I am certainly pleased to say how satisfied and I am to have been working with you and your competent team of professionals. On behalf of Pastor Smith, and the fine members of Mount Horeb, we thank you for your business. We'll be sure to recommend you to any others. God's blessings."

~Keaton C. Walkine, Administrative Assistant, Mt. Horeb Baptist Church, Nassau, Bahamas

"As Associate Organist and Director of Music at Uppsala Cathedral in Sweden, I have been closely involved in the process of choosing the builder for our new organ. Uppsala Cathedral dates back to the 13th century and is the largest church in Scandinavia. The cathedral is the seat of Sweden's Archbishop and many important historical events have, and continue to take place here.

Music has always played a very important part in worship at the cathedral and it was critical that the organ builder chosen could satisfy our requirements:

An organ that can accompany the hymn-singing of a 2000 strong congregation

An organ that can accompany the wide repertoire of the cathedral's seven choirs, and

A versatile concert instrument that can effectively cope with a majority of the organ repertoire

In 2003 the cathedral organists visited Florida, and with the professional guidance and great hospitality of Nelson Newby (President of Central Music, Clearwater), we had the opportunity of closely examining two large organs built by the Italian firm of Fratelli Ruffatti. We were sincerely impressed by the high quality of craftsmanship in both these instruments - superb voicing, clear choruses, beautiful solo stops, stunning casework design, and state-of-the-art electronics.

On returning to Sweden, we consulted with several organists around the globe to gather further opinions and very shortly thereafter the decision was made to award the contract to Ruffatti. The new pipe organ at Uppsala Cathedral is scheduled to be installed in the fall of 2007. Our close contacts with the Ruffatti Brothers and with the Newby Family in Florida have revealed their enormous experience, knowledge, competence and professionalism, and we are confident that we will be provided with a truly magnificent instrument.

~Andrew Canning, Associate Organist & Director of Music, Uppsala Cathedral, Sweden
Philip Truckenbrod Concert Artists: Paulsson & Canning

To view the specification of the Uppsala Sweden organ visit: www.ruffatti.com

"I would like to express my delight in the Rodgers T967 Organ.

This instrument has truly raised worship experience to a new level. The beauty of sound and installation of the organ has enhanced the liturgy and has encouraged parishioners to raise their voices in musical worship.

The true match of orchestral sound is so authentic, parisioners have come to the chior area to compliment the violinist or flautist at times, only to find out that the organ played all the sounds. Unique to this instrument also is the true human vocal sound, which is amazing. One choir member actually asked, "Why do you need us?"

Playing weddings is a rewarding experience because of our new organ and it's ability to sound so beautiful in celebration. The festival trumpet is gorgeous. At the same time, it is posible to be really sensitive and encouraging at funeral liturgies. Autentic traditional organ registration is the best I have ever heard on an electronic instrument.

Technical support (which is so important) has been unsurpassed in my experience due to the availability and helpful nature of you, Mrs. Blanchard.

We could not have asked for a better experience.

~Mrs. Maxine H. Leurck, Music Director, Light of Christ Catholic Church, Clearwater, Florida