How to order choir robes, handbells, pianos, and other sound aids

by Quentin Wagenfield

Though most consultants do basically the same kind of work in solving church sound problems, they can vary in their approach. For example, John Fuqua at All Pro Sound says his company helps a church by first evaluating its sound system and deciding if equipment should be added or replaced, or if a whole new system must be installed. The consultant then meets with church committee members to discuss further sound problems, such as poor music quality, inability to hear the pastor in certain places, or multiple system problems. The consultant then assesses the facility to determine whether an acoustical engineer is needed.

A consultant from ConnectSound, according to Patrick Conneen, gathers background information from a church sound committee, such as whether the church has one or two pulpits, a choir loft, a natural or miked choir, a band, or wireless mics, all of which determine required inputs. The consultant also finds out if the church needs recording facilities, playback capability, provisions for the hearing impaired, or integration of video with the audio. The latter requires careful planning to obtain seamless results. The consultant also recommends acoustic treatment, if needed.

Michael Bennis of Acoustic Solutions says a consultant from his company first calculates reverb (sound decay) time in a room and finds out the room's intended use. Then the consultant determines the absorption needed for proper reverb time and what kinds of absorptive materials to use. A church typically selects a fabric-wrapped panel in a color chosen from the company brochure or Web site, Bennis says. The company sends samples of this to the church for confirmation along with estimates on how much material is needed for proper reverb time (acoustic treatment starts at around $4 a square foot).

In critical situations, an acoustical engineer is called in. Acoustical Solutions offers many types of panels, including one that blocks outside sound and absorbs room sound and is ideal for a practice or choir room.

Nick Colleran of Acoustics First consults with acoustic engineers to ensure that they have the proper absorber and diffuser materials to correct reverb time and sound distortion. These materials include foam and fiberglass absorbers, ceiling tiles and baffles, diffusers for sound scattering, sound-absorbing fabrics in a multitude of colors, sound barrier/sound absorber composites, and many other specialty products. For sound consultants and engineers, Acoustics First provides a kit that includes descriptions, detailed specifications, and samples.

Buy enough robes to fit current choir members and an additional 10 percent to allow for choir growth, says Jan Poock of E.R. Moore Company. Extra robes should be in average sizes, says Joyce Goode of Collegiate Cap and Gown.

For height, each person should be measured wearing shoes with the size heel that will be worn with the robe.

Chest measurements should be taken at the fullest part of the chest, with the measuring tape snug, not tight.

When deciding what color robes to purchase, look for hues that compliment church colors rather than match them.

Look for warranties on zippers. E.R. Moore guarantees zippers for life and replaces those on its own robes free.

If robes are financed through special donations, consider putting tags acknowledging the donors inside the robes. Some companies will sew in such tags for no charge.

Some robe companies will come to your church to take measurements. Others will give detailed instructions on how to do this. The results can be phoned or e-mailed in to the company.

If robes need repair work, contact the company that sold them to you. Goode says Collegiate Cap and Gown will alter, shorten, and repair robes, if needed, but only on robes purchased from the company.

For choirs that share robes, C.M. Almy & Son offers one-size-fits-all robes. Almy also repairs robes if they're sent to the company's work room with a cover letter stating the needed repairs. After inspecting the robes, the company informs you what needs to be done and what it will cost.

Get the best piano you can afford for the sanctuary, says Bob Snyder of Steinway & Sons and Boston Piano Company. A room that seats 200-300 people could use a 6- to 7-foot grand piano, which would cost about $40,000 new ($20,000 used).

For contemporary and blended worship, use an electronic piano, but only with a piano as the primary instrument.

For classrooms, get a good upright, which can also be used for blended worship, bands, and Sunday school. A new upright will cost about $6,000 (half that for a used one). Snyder advises buying a new piano, since "forty years from now, someone's still going to be playing it."

Besides piano types, look for good tone, touch, and durability, says David Durben, a piano technician with Yamaha for nearly 25 years. Make sure the instrument will operate in humidity extremes.

Buy the right size instrument. Experienced musicians and dealers will help you determine this.

If you use an acoustic piano with electric guitars and other amplified instruments, amplify the piano and provide a monitor. That will help prevent pianists who can't hear amplification from pounding the piano for extra volume.

Schedule regular tune-ups. A grand piano has over 5,000 moving parts that need periodic adjustment, Durben says. Other pianos also must be kept in good operating order.

In children's classrooms. Children listen better to amplified sound and like to use a microphone.

As voice reinforcement for people with hoarse or weak voices.

In rooms where the lectern isn't close to the audience.

To back up an installed sound system in case the equipment or power source fails.

For traveling ministers, lecturers, and missionaries. These units are very transportable and can operate on batteries.

For churches that can't afford a professionally installed system. "We'll recommend a portable system, probably in the $2,500 range, that's easy to operate," says Debbie Lombard of Anchor Audio. Portable systems can provide backup when the usual sound operator is unavailable. They can also be used with music inputs and recorders, or as a monitor for installed systems.

Literature from a bell company such as Schulmerich or Malmark can help you decide how many bells to purchase to get started with a handbell choir. A representative from the company will offer recommendations on bell purchasing as well as financing.

Quentin Wagenfield (wagen@ia.net) is a freelance writer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.