VALPARAISO, IN – Valparaiso Nazarene Church worship leader Jake Randall worked with Guitar Center Professional (GC Pro) account manager Dan Scalpone to choose the AV gear for the congregation's new $8 million, 1,700-seat facility, which is now used for worship services and live concert events.
Scalpone also helped Randall gear up with an AV production studio that produces the church's various DVDs, CDs and Podcast materials.
"I just randomly called Guitar Center, I got ahold of Dan at GC Pro, and told him I've got this huge project," said Randall. "I just have a bunch of questions and I need pricing, and Dan said he would love to help. It was just from that one phone call that the relationship started between GC Pro and myself. To this day I call him anytime I need anything for our audio and video systems."
Randall credited Scalpone for going "above and beyond. Dan and the GC Pro team drove out here, looked at the facility and began advising me on what equipment would streamline what we had envisioned. And the only reason we are up and running today as efficiently as we are is because of Dan and GC Pro. They went through everything with a fine-tooth comb and nailed everything down. Truly attention to detail."
The centerpiece of the audio system at FOH is an Avid Venue D-Show System, which is based around the Venue D-Show console and employs a Venue FOH Rack and Stage Rack processing and I/O system.
Other audio, video and lighting equipment furnished by GC Pro includes several Apple computers; Samsung LCD monitors; a Sony HVRV1U 1080P HDV Camcorder; AJA Ki-Pro Portable Digital Disk Recorder; wired and wireless microphones from AKG, Audio-Technica, Earthworks, Heil, Rode, Shure, and Sennheiser; a complete Gretsch drum kit with Sabian and Paiste cymbals; and more.
"When we get artists such as Contemporary Christian musician Jeremy Camp in to perform, they don't have to bring any gear with them because they don't need to," Randall said. "They use all of our lights and lighting console, all of our rigging, our front-of-house Venue board, our line array system, everything. For most bands, they can walk into our sanctuary and have everything they need. I owe that to getting the right advice and equipment from GC Pro."
The church, which started services in 1924 with nothing more than a tent, now serves close to 1,500 people every week with a decidedly 21st-century technological infrastructure.
Scalpone described the church's vision for "a venue that really stood out from a technological standpoint and utilize newer technologies to create a unique worship environment and great live experience for the congregation. Working closely with Jake," Scalpone added, "we were able to put together a comprehensive package of equipment solutions that not only did everything he needed, but was well within their budget."
For more information, please visit www.gcpro.com.
