I actually know a church that is EXACTLY like what you describe. Interesting (I wonder if it's the same one...there can't be all that many in the US!)

To respond to what you and francis bring up, based on the single charismatic Catholic parish with which I am familiar, actually, the music director there is incredibly friendly and appreciative of chant and a cappella singing. (It is the pastor who needs convincing. However, I personally do not see how chant/polyphony are at all conducive to their way of worshiping...so I would tend to side with the pastor! While I would hope that their way of worshiping "develops" into more "spiritually mature" forms like more reverent/traditional music, I think--if you're going to be charismatic, then be charismatic! But... I think in the case of this particular church that perhaps the music director is trying to lead the church in that direction?)

Anyhow, IME, these charismatics are faaaaaar closer to being devout/orthodox/reverent/obedient to the church's teachings, etc, than mainstream Catholic music. (Nor are true charismatics just like "folk groups," as they often get confused for.)

So, what do you mean "is this the direction the Church is going in?" Do you mean the direction charismatics are going in? Perhaps. I do not know. I personally think they will either go that way or else slowly die out, like most of the rest of the Church who doesn't embrace the "reform of the reform."

"Are there really people who don't only like modern music and freely support a wider variety used who are charismatic catholic music directors?"
Most definitely.

Education and awareness?
In what I have seen, the charismatics that I know became such while they were in college, in the 60s and 70s. They literally only saw a dying church. The thing that brought them back to Christ-- the place where they first actually had a personal experience with Jesus, was in the charismatic movement. So, they are reluctant to leave it. However, as they have continued on their personal spiritual journey, growing in holiness, they are beginning to appreciate more and more (as individuals,) the importance of having music that is more "reverent." For many of them, the outward-directed worship that first brought them spiritual fulfillment, is becoming supplemented by more "vertical" worship and personal, even silent, prayer. (Think John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.) And, they are discovering a time and a place for music that accompanies such experiences. (This is the biggest thing, I think, that separates them from "contemporary" Catholic music-- which has, for the most part neglected to develop music that is vertically focused, and stayed on an immature spiritual plane of "link arms and rock and sway." Although both are focused on more emotional music, the theology within it can be VASTLY different.)

Anyhow, this is only my experience from the one, single, parish I am very familiar with. Other charismatic groups could be vastly different...

But yes, the real test becomes whether groups like this effect positively the pastor and any sort of "liturgical commission" that holds sway. They are of course the ultimate in whether parishes themselves can adopt these practices outside of a private social group. Once again the hierarchy matters, yet at the same time, if you have enough people who want something which coming of holy venerable tradition, they should be impacted to accept it eventually.

There IS a spectrum of behaviours and attittudes by which 'charismatics' are identified in most peoples' minds; and, to a degree, by which 'charismatics' self-identify.
I have never, though, been willing to concede that those people who call themselves charismatic and fit these descriptions are, in fact, the only charismatics, nor that 'charismatics' should have a monopoly on the term 'charismatic'.
It has long been my contention that plainchant IS charismatic and that people who sing it are possessed of a charism. So, it shouldn't be remarkable that your 'charismatics' like chant or any other music that isn't 'charismatic', because all good music is of charisma.
There is, then, no anomaly involved with your friends who recognise the spiritual depth of plainchant and other fine music. What would one expect of charismatic persons? Aren't we all charismatic? I certainly hope so. No one group has a monopoly on charism or the signifer, 'charismatic'. Your priest should rejoice!

I always tell my scholas and choirs to say when people ask them if they like charismatic music (oh, and 'Christian music', too) that, oh, yes! we do! we love Gregorian chant and Palestrina. Say it with a big smile and be dead serious.

Gregorian chant is as natural and good and necessay to life as the sun. Without it the Church becomes jaundiced in mind, body, soul and spirit.

Is that a rhetorical question in the sense that the question answers itself? Or are you hoping for a clarification?

To Francis: I love the image. It reminds me of my youth when an old priest, responding to a boy who claimed to get nothing from the Mass, responded:
"But, don't even blind men tan?"

Ex opere operato!