A visit to Japan



The Joy of Angels Carillon, designed by famed architect I. M. Pei located in
Sigarakicho, in the Shiga prefecture (near Kyoto).


Dan performing on the carillon keyboard

Famous Five Manual Organ Updated

Rodgers' Royal V Organ began life as the world's second five manual electronic organ (first was Rodgers' famous five manual Carnegie Hall Organ in 1974). The Royal V's specification was designed by the internationally famous organist, Virgil Fox. Originally used by Fox as a touring organ, it later played for his 1980 funeral at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. After serving the Crystal Cathedral during the installation of their famous pipe organ, the Royal V returned to Rodgers for refurbishing.

In 1985, the Royal V found a new home in the Shiga Prefecture, Japan where it was permanently installed at the Shinji Shumeikai's Founders Hall as a memorial tribute to their founder, Mikotosama. The massive Founders Hall where the Royal V resides was designed by architect, Minoru Yamasaki, whose most famous work was the World Trade Center Towers in New York City. Internationally acclaimed organists such as Keith Chapman, Berj Zamkochian, and McNeil Robinson where brought to Japan to perform concerts on the renowned organ.

Then in 2004, the console returned again to Rodgers for refurbishing and to be updated with the latest in Rodgers Trillium technologies. The specification was revised under the direction Dr. McNeil Robinson, consultant and Dan Miller, Rodgers Product Manager and Design Manager of Custom Organs. The Royal V returned to Japan in the Summer of 2004 with the new Trillium technologies, additional stops and a totally new audio system. Some now say it is the finest digital organ in the world!
From the Rodgers web site

For additional detailed stop list information

The Rodgers Royal V organ underwent an upgrade, but before it was removed and shipped to Rodgers, a temporary "Royal IV" was installed and voiced to match the sound of the Royal V.

The Royal V - Dan has great respect and admiration for this historical instrument.
 

Ed Wilson & Dan voicing
 

Rodgers staff Dan Hall, Ed Wilson, and Dan Miller outside Founder's Hall (where the Royal V is housed) at Shinji Shumeikai International Center in Misono, Japan