Welcome to church organs

The organ is one of the oldest musical instruments that adds value to hymns and tunes sung either in worship or entertainment.

However, connoisseurs of good music acknowledge that there is a clear difference in the notes that emanate from pipe organs.

It is for this reason that the Church Organs Ghana Limited, the sole dealer of Holland-made Johannus organs in West Africa, is seeking to reintroduce pipe organs into the sub region.

Founded by Ghanaian entrepreneur Kofi Esson and music director Ato Scott-Bennin, the company has opened a showroom at Labone in Accra.

Aside showcasing and marketing the Johannus brand of organs, ‘The Virtuso School of Organs’, an Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM),  has also  been established at the centre to train enthusiasts on the basics of playing these instruments.

Mr  Esson said the premises, which includes an art recording studio, can be used by choirs and other groups for their recording sessions.

‘These groups can take advantage of the quality organs for their recordings, instead of relying on table-top synthesisers which only mimic true organ sounds,’ he stated.

He said already, three of the organs had been installed at the Ridge Church, the Calvary Methodist Church and the Mfantsipim School at Cape Coast with a fourth one due to be mounted at the Accra Police Church.