Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
Charlotte, North Carolina
Fratelli Ruffatti Five-Manual Organ with M&O Additions
Friendship's impressive new sanctuary seats approximately 3,500 people and houses a five-manual Fratelli Ruffatti pipe organ with substantial Marshall & Ogletree digital additions, totalling 169 ranks all together.
"Convincing" digital sounds are not enough for complete success in a pipe organ. The digital voices must also catch the pipe builder's own tonal vision and do the same things in the same way that his pipes would have, had they been been present. M&O's particular talent is for working seamlessly in the context of a pipe builder's tonal landscape and sets a unique standard in the industry.
Music at Friendship covers a broad spectrum from classical to Gospel and contemporary genres. The design of the organ reflects these needs, as you will readily hear in the contrasts between Stanley's "Trumpet Voluntary" and Monty Bennett's arrangement of "Amazing Grace," below. Please enjoy the cooperative work of Fratelli Ruffatti and Marshall & Ogletree in these videos, performed by Mr. Bennett: