Article in The Frederick News-Post

SOUND INVESTMENT
High-tech upgrades for churches boosting audio-video business
Originally published April 22, 2008

By Ike Wilson
News-Post Staff

Jerry Ferson did not see a hymn book in the six and a half years he worked as media director at Maranatha Community Church of God in Christ.
And gone are the days when a church service included only an organ, a piano or both.

Many local churches have upgraded to the latest high-tech audio-visual productions, eliminating hymnals in the process and becoming renowned for their theatrical productions for Easter and Christmas.

The trend is boosting business for audio-video companies.

There's been an explosion over the last few years of churches investing in their audio-video capabilities, said Eric Johnson, founder and president of Audio-Video Group in Frederick.

"People, especially young people, want something catchy," Johnson said. "Churches are driven to offer something that entertains. People want to get the same level of energy they get in other parts of their lives."

Two of the most vital ingredients in worship are sound and song, the Rev. Jack Hartman, a United Methodist Church superintendent, said in 2005 Frederick News-Post report.

"It doesn't make any difference how good the music, the prayers or the preaching if one cannot hear clearly because the sound does not have quality," the Rev. Hartman said. "Likewise it doesn't make any difference how good the sound, if the music is not quality. The combination of the two, if done well, can inspire and stimulate. The combination of the two if either is done poorly will be disheartening and boring."

The need for high-tech audio-video systems is due in part to people coming back to church, especially after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the country, Johnson said.

"Churches have been seeing a resurgence in their membership, and these are people who are coming from non-church backgrounds who want to be ministered to in a way that relates to them, not to mention the evolution of people and their need for something new," Johnson said.

Done properly, an audio-video system should add to the worship experience, not detract from it, Johnson said.

When the Frederick Church of The Brethren needed a comprehensive audio-video system, church officials weren't sure that a local firm could handle the scope of their demands, the Rev. Paul Mundey, senior pastor, wrote in a letter about the project.

Audio-Video Group installed the church's system, leaving some happy campers.

"Our project was rather comprehensive, involving sound reinforcement, video displays and a variety of specialty lighting arrangements," the Rev. Mundey said. "It was complex, utilizing the latest in both design and technology."

But in turning to Audio-Video Group, Church of The Brethren was not disappointed, the Rev. Mundey said.

"We could not be more pleased with our product," the Rev. Mundey said.

Johnson's company showed "top-flight professionalism and sensitive understanding of the unique culture of the church ... and lifted a major burden as we sought to implement this complex project," the Rev. Mundey said

Not all equipment created equal

Audio/video systems vary in size and capabilities, Ferson said.

"You have a choice in equipment between a Cadillac and a Dodge." He said there's a big difference between an overhead projector you can get from Staples or Home Depot for $800-$900 and the $35,000 Sony equipment at Maranatha. And similar equipment can run as high as $150,000, Ferson said.

"The difference is the distance it can throw an image and the amount of light it can take," he said.

Maranatha's state-of-the-art audio/video and lighting suite cost approximately $370,000. The church also has a digital marquee used to publicize events and offer encouraging words to live by. Maranatha may be the first church in Frederick to use a digital marquee, Ferson said.

"Anyone who comes into the audio/video section is overwhelmed" by what they see, Ferson said.

Ferson was a part of the team that decided on the audio/video suite for the church when the $4.7 million edifice was in its planning stages. The Crest Audio X-8 -- a 40 channel sound mixer board with volume controls -- was one of his favorite pieces of equipment, Ferson said.

The mixer allows 40 different inputs from microphones and four in-lines for compact disc or digital video disc. The matrix board itself sends audio through the equalizer and from the equalizer to the amplifiers and from the amps to the speakers.

Photo Caption and Credit:
Photo by courtesyPhoto
This integrated audio-video system installed by Audio-Video Group of Frederick, in the Frederick Church of the Brethren, helps the church bring “greater voice and vision to its communion,” the Rev. Paul Mundey said.

Read the article posted in the Frederick News Post by clicking here.

Eric Johnson Achieves CTS-D Credential

Eric Johnson, founder and president of Audio-Video Group in Frederick, is now a Certified Technology Specialist – Design (CTS-D). A CTS-D earns this specialized certification by demonstrating detailed knowledge of how to analyze, select, and plan seamless audiovisual communications equipment interoperation. The CTS-D demonstrates his or her experience in the form of complete specifications and drawings that deliver a desired outcome to meet a client's needs. To achieve the CTS-D credential, Johnson passed a rigorous two-day exam including written, oral, and intensive practical sections and agreed to a Code of Ethics pledging truth, accuracy, and a commitment to excellence in all aspects of his profession. There are just over three-hundred CTS-D accredited professionals in the world according to InfoComm International.

Johnson founded Audio-Video Group in 2000 to deliver top-quality integrated system design, installation, and service for sound and video equipment. The company maintains a strong client base among houses of worship and also serves educational, government, corporate, medical, and industrial facilities; retail and dining establishments; funeral homes; and sporting facilities in Frederick County and throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. For more information, call 301-668-4448. The company is located at Riverside Technology Park, 8415 Progress Drive, Suite G in Frederick, just one mile south of Route 26 off Monocacy Boulevard.

AVG Welcomes Aboard Jeremiah Leiter

Audio-Video Group is very pleased with the addition of Jeremiah Leiter to our highly qualified team of players. He comes to us with years of experience with live sound engineering and has specialized in training House of Worship members to operate their own systems with confidence.

Jeremiah is being fast-tracked to become a Project Manager in our Frederick, Maryland office and is undergoing extensive training at both I.C.I.A. Academy and at maufacturer's continuing education seminars. We are looking forward to increased productivity from our install teams and even better communication with our customers.

AVG to provide sound for Alive at Five

Audio-Video Group will be providing the sound systems and mixing for Frederick's Alive at Five concert series. The Downtown Frederick Partnership has arranged to bring a variety of artists to perform in the Carrol Creek Amphitheatre on the last Thursday of each month through September starting at 5pm. Audio-Video Group is proud join with other leading local businesses to sponsor of these events. Come out and enjoy!

AVG Launches Newsletter - Voice & Vision

Audio-Video Group is proud to have mailed the first two editions of our quarterly newsletter, Voice & Vision, which we have designed as a tool for our number one customer base, Houses of Worship. The goal of the publication is to demystify, educate and make practical suggestions as to how a Church can use A/V resources to better share their message.

To view or download our newsletters, please click on the newsletter link on our home page. We hope you enjoy it!

Covenant Baptist's new building

Covenant Baptist Church of Columbia, Maryland recently built a new worship facility utilizing Audio-Video Group as their sound, video, and lighting contractor. After numerous programs and services, the church is very happy with the results. For more information, call AVG at 800-668-4988.

AUDIO-VIDEO GROUP EXPANDS WITH NEW SATELLITE OFFICE IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Audio-Video Group, a Frederick-based company specializing in professional sound and video equipment and services, recently expanded operations with a new satellite office in Alexandria, Virginia.

Staffed by full-time personnel, the Northern Virginia office will enable Audio-Video Group to better serve its growing client base in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Chris Green and project manager Mark Dodson; have substantial design, installation, and sales experience in the industry and are particularly well established in the houses of worship, education, and government markets.

“We are thrilled to open our second location with such a high caliber of staff,” states Eric Johnson, founder and president of Audio-Video Group. “Chris, and Mark are true industry professionals, and they have the expertise and knowledge to tackle even the most challenging projects.”

Johnson adds that the new Audio-Video Group team has recently served Bolling Air Force Base, U.S. Army Band, Fairfax Community Church, and the Alexandria City Public Schools in the Northern Virginia-D.C. area. “With our second office, we are even better equipped to respond to our existing clients more efficiently—plus we can more easily develop relationships with new clients in the area.”

Johnson founded Audio-Video Group in 2000 to deliver top-quality integrated system design, installation, and service for sound and video equipment. The company is now an industry leader with a strong client base among houses of worship; educational, government, corporate, medical, and industrial facilities; retail and dining establishments; funeral homes; and sporting facilities throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

To reach the Alexandria, Virginia office, call toll-free 866-999-5720. To reach Audio-Video Group headquarters in Frederick, Maryland, call 301-668-4448.

Article in the Frederick News-Post

The President and Owner of Audio-Video Group had some sound advice to say to any business owner. Read the article posted in the Frederick News Post by clicking here.