Jim Hockin,. Minnesota

When did you start playing the organ?

When my father got a Drawbar organ for our living room. I believe it was the church model with full pedalboard. I was about 10 years old. I was already playing piano and moving forward quickly.

What moved you to do so?

I had played piano since age 7. The presence of a large instrument in our home intrigued me. I was awed by the pedalboard. Could I ever reach the pedals? I decided to try. My father was an organist and 2 Episcopal churches in /Brooklyn, NY, and so really encouraged me to try it. I also helped tune the Wicks at our church. I just held down the key. I thought I would like to learn how to make all those pipes speak.

How has playing the organ conflicted/helped your medical career?

Playing the organ has not interfered at all with my dental practice. It has improved it because music keeps me balanced. I studied piano performance at the University of Minnesota while doing my pre-dental studies from 1964-66. I did several concerts at the U of M and also played some piano concertos during the summer for the Lake Harriet outdoor concerts here in Minneapolis during those years. I really got going on organ in 1972. I am in my own dental practice now and have been since 1970 in Edina, MN, a suburb of Minneapolis. I have trimmed my practice to 3 days/wk to allow more time for Rodgers®. I have served as organist at churches from 1970 until 2001. I did take a 2-year break but missed it too much! I currently only devote my time to demos, workshops and concerts for Rodgers® Organ Studio of Minneapolis.

What has been your most thrilling musical experience?

Performing the first movement of the Grieg Piano concerto in A-minor with the Minnesota Orchestra in 1963.

What do you find most fulfilling about "selling" organs?

I really am thrilled with the possibility of opening the world of classic organ sound to churches and organists who have learned to get by with very little. And then I watch their faces when I introduce them to Rodgers® MIDI! To replace an ailing organ, or better yet, to interface our wonderful Trillium™ organs with old, historic pipe instruments, gives me a feeling of satisfaction that is hard to describe. Tears come to my eyes when I play these successfully interfaced organs. My father was a salesman so I think some of the thrill of sales rubbed off on me!

What do you find most satisfying about working with Rodgers®, the organs, the people or whatever?

I began demos for Rodgers® Organ Studio of Minneapolis in January of 1997. I have played Rodgers® instruments since the American Classic organ in 1972. I respect the dedication Rodgers® has to reproducing authentic pipe sound, and I have been impressed with all the people associated with Rodgers®. I am thrilled to work with Barbara Gensmer, President of Rodgers® Organ Studio of Minneapolis, and Dennis Davis, our knowledgeable factory trained technician. The support from Rick Anderson and all the Rodgers® support staff has been unfailing. And Rodney Barbour, Rodgers® Product Specialist, really got me up and running with his ideas and support!