Roland Atelier
Landmark Organ Sound, Performance, and Luxury
Roland AtelierLandmark Organ Sound, Performance, and Luxury
How has the organ-playing world changed over the years?
When the home organ business started in the 50’s people everywhere enjoyed taking lessons both private and group. If you took piano lessons early on, you progressed much quicker. My first organ teacher (Elma Proctor) pioneered the group organ lesson program. (Story on my website) In the 60’s group classes ranged from 50 to 150. At that time, organs did not have all the automatic features (even drums) so you had to learn a lot more musical ideas to play the organ. Even trained church organists were having fun learning pop style organ playing. Playing theater organ styles was so popular since more people remembered hearing the theater pipe organ when going to the movies.
With all the advances in today’s instruments, people at every level of playing skill can take advantage of the resources of the Atelier to easily and authentically recreate all of their favorite types of music!
How long have you been a Roland artist?
I have been playing the Roland Atelier since the mid 90’s. I was an organ dealer and we carried the Roland in Orange Co. Calif. When playing concerts in other areas, the local Roland dealer was kind enough to supply an Atelier. I was asked last September (2005) to join the Roland artist staff.
I continue to play the organ for church services each week, but I felt inclined to get back on the road and meet new people that are playing the Roland. I have really enjoyed meeting new players and seeing old friends in the cities I have played in the past few months.
What do you think it is about the Roland products that makes them so popular?
Sound! People are interested in the pure sound they are paying for. Organ players want to hear the rich sound of the organ. With the incorporation of the Theater, Classical pipe, and the Hammond drawbar features this makes the Roland Atelier an incredible organ. With the ability to program and save to floppy disc, this makes the operation of the Roland organ so much easier to play. I remember when an organist was playing a concert and every time a selection was announced, he would take five minutes to set the organ up. Now, you just push a button and the sounds are ready to go! The sounds are arranged in a simplistic manner. For the past 20 years I have played on organs that you have to refer to the conductor before hearing the sound you have selected. The off/on control system is the best since all the traditional organs operate that way. Lastly, the individual sampled sounds are the best that any musician can ask for. Being able to play every musical instrument known to man makes the Roland a “Universal” musical instrument. There is something for everybody!
The Green Mill in Chicago
It was so cool to visit a jazz club in Chicago (Dec. 2005) and enjoy the organ music. People came to listen to good music, so the establishment requires guests to refrain from talking during the “sets”. The jazz organ is very popular among young audiences. It is part of most popular bands and organ solos in performances are common. At this performance, the style and organ sound was pretty much the same during the playing (along with a guitarist and drummer) but that is what the jazz organ style is about. The younger crowd listens more intently to the musical abilities of the performer (group) rather than what the features of the organ can do.
This was/is Chicago where the electric organ was born. These listeners will never get away from that sound.
The International Young Organists Festival in Palencia , Spain . (May 2004)
In other mainstream countries, parents (and grandparents) are more interested in seeing (and hearing) their children perform. Festivals with competitions are a national pastime that we do not see in the US . (Except in some areas)
n the electronic organ world, Yamaha started an organ competition back in the 1970’s. People of all levels (including amateur adults) entered the festival competition. The annual event usually ended in Japan with the International finals.
Yamaha in the US left the organ world in the early 90’s. Many organ teachers in several parts of the world continued on their own to promote organ playing competition and it still goes on today. Roland recently featured three Japanese young people at their 8 th annual Organ Power concert in Long Beach , Calif. Our Roland organ owners were astonished! They could not believe the talent they were hearing. This is what I tried to tell everyone when I returned from Spain in May 2004. First of all, I was the adjudicator at the US finals held in March 2004. I was blown away when I heard young people from ages 8 to 22. So yes, we do have young people playing here in the US. Most of the talented young people I heard live right here in Orange County , Calif. I am currently coaching a 15 yr. old that took 2 nd place in Spain .
I will never forget the scene after playing a concert at the festival in Spain . It was 11:30 PM and there were 50 young people lined up to get my autograph! They all play the organ and I hope to return someday to hear them play.
Will the organ be popular with young people in the US ? Can Roland do anything about it?
We have to get music teachers interested in the organ as an orchestra since younger people are not interested in the theater organ. If these teachers will introduce the organ to students at an early age, it could grow like it is in other parts of the world, especially Asia . With Roland’s wide range of available organ models, it is not a money issue. People will buy organs for their kids if they hear them play and see the enthusiasm that other kids have.
Would you believe there are many young people playing the classical pipe organs today? This is because the National American Guild of Organist’s sponsor a yearly event called “Pipe Organ Encounter”!!! How about Roland dealers being required to hold a yearly “Roland Atelier Encounter”? That would stir up business!
As I travel for Roland in the upcoming months, I will be keeping a monthly journal on my website (generoberson.com) Click on the Organ Players Roland tab.
The Enchilada recipe?
I love to create recipes. This one is so simple. I hope to add more to the “In the Kitchen” section on the website.
Someday, I am going to invite Rosemary Bailey over and we will do a “Cooking and Roland Organ” video for everyone to enjoy!
Looking forward to a great relationship with Roland.
For additional information or dealer location, Contact Roland.