Rodney Barbour is a Concert Organist, Trombonist, Director of Vocal and Instrumental Music, Educator, Presenter and Entertainer living in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rodney’s organ concert presentations feature a myriad of tonal colors and styles which Rodney describes as “traditional-orchestral”. It was noted at a recent church organ dedication concert: “Rodney captured the whole room! While the concert was informative and educational, it was also played with excellence, humor and was glorifying to the Lord.” Audiences are delighted with the breadth of literature Rodney is able to successfully include in his programs, and are left breathless at the variety and quality of the sounds they hear.
Born in Huntington, WV, Rodney Barbour attended Vinson High School and Marshall University (B.M. Music Education, Organ, Trombone). Moving to Cincinnati, Rodney earned the M.M. Degree in Organ Performance from the College-Conservatory of Music, and also engaged in Doctoral Studies at the College-Conservatory of Music and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY.
Rodney has presented Masterclasses in Organ-MIDI performance at National (Seattle 2000 and Los Angeles 2004) and Regional American Guild of Organist Conventions as well as national gatherings of musicians of most denominations. Rodney has held several AGO Offices including Dean of the Huntington, WV and Cincinnati, Ohio Chapters. Rodney has worked as Product Specialist for Church Organ Systems-Baldwin Piano and Organ, and Rodgers Instruments. Rodney has published articles in several national music periodicals as well as contributing to three published organ music collections (LifeWay, Hope, Concordia Publishing). Rodney is currently beginning his fourteenth year as Director of Worship and Arts at Crestview Presbyterian Church, West Chester, Ohio where he conducts a 45-voice Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir, Worship Band, and Brass Choir. Rodney describes the worship music at Crestview as “authentic eclectic” as in the sanctuaries he moves from conducting to playing a pipe organ, a digital organ, a grand piano, a keyboard, a Hammond B-3 and his accordion. Rodney enjoys playing concerts and conducting workshops organs across the USA (forty-two states!), in Puerto Rico and all provinces of Canada. Rodney has recently recorded five CD’s on Verdin and Content Organs for the Verdin Company Organ Division in Cincinnati, Ohio where he maintains a consulting relationship.
Rodney is a connoisseur of ice cream, pizza and spaghetti and loves playing golf with his beloved wife of eight years, Cheri Smith-Barbour, a former WV Amateur Golfer Team Member, Restaurant Owner, and Clarinetist.
