Category Archives: News and Views

Click here for further information about an online event hosted by the Society of Women Organists.

TOSE-in-a-Day moves north to the wonderful and easily accessible city of York. Teenage organists of grade 5 level and above will receive tuition from renowned players and teachers Cathy Lamb and Tom Bell.

What you can expect from this day
Two sessions of repertoire and technique coaching on Baroque and later music
Keyboard musicianship coaching in skills such as sight reading, transposition and score reading
A session on hymn playing

Email events@rco.org.uk to be notified when booking opens.

In the first part of this class, Ian Hare will give an illustrated history of the organ voluntary, from its earliest beginnings to the present day. This important and interesting story is not often considered. Other questions Ian will address are: What is the role of the organ in church services today? How does one choose the right music? What part do differing styles of music play in making these choices?

For the second part of the session, bring a short piece you plan to play at church. Ian will offer feedback on your playing, and a discussion of your choice of voluntary.

Further details and booking can be found here.

An experienced and enthusiastic organist and choir leader is wanted as a Director of Music.

Set in this lovely part of West Yorkshire, the person appointed will be responsible for weekly organ led music at each church, and weddings and funeral.

Guitar and piano band once per month at Thornhill. Regular weekly choir practice.

Applicants must have an interest in traditional and modern hymns and songs. Salary about £4.5k p.a.

Closing date for applications -30^th August 2023

Please click here to visit the website for further details about the role and the churches

The Benefice of Thornhill Parish Church and Whitley Parish Church are looking for an organist to join them. Ideally they would like an organist for the Benefice, but they currently have an organist just for Whitley and would consider this again. Details of both roles are available below – please visit the website within the advert for contact details.

Organist for the Benefice – Click here for further details

Organist for Whitley – Click here for further details

Professor David Baker is playing an organ recital on 27 July 2023 at 1.00pm. Please click here to view David’s programme for the event.

Further information about the Halifax Minster lunchtime recitals can be found here.

Please see below for two vacancies currently being advertised in the Diocese of Leeds:

Parish Organist (Parish of St Maximilian Kolbe, Leeds) – Click here for further information

Organist and Director of Music (St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Pakington Street, Bradford BD5 7LD) – Click here for further information

Holy Trinity and St Jude’s Halifax are looking for a new organise. They have a 3 manual organ which is kept in good repair.   They have a choir of 12.  The role involves one service on a Sunday morning at 9.45am and choir practice on Friday evenings.

If you are interested, please contact Rev. Stuart Stobart;   his contact details can be found on the church website.

Monday 31 July (2.00pm) to Saturday 5 August (12.30pm), London

Full details and online booking available here.

Early booking discount available till 31 March

• Repertoire tuition in graded groups from beginner to diploma level
• Choice of graded classes in improvisation, keyboard musicianship, liturgical organ playing, aural
• Individual lessons
• Private practice
• Option to perform in student concerts
• Variety of workshops and talks
• Two professional recitals 
• Make friends with fellow course members 
• Unable to attend or not for you? – take a look at the wide range of RCO classes available here

The organ at Leeds Town Hall is undergoing an extensive and far-reaching restoration this year – The Organ Renewal Project. The familiar casework and most of the pipes will be retained and repaired but all of the organ’s mechanism, console and about a third of its 6500 pipes will be made new.

The work to renew the organ will also see the restoration of the decorative scheme on the instrument which includes an intricate, hand painted stencil design on each of the façade pipes. This work has been funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

A major fundraising campaign has now been set up to help cover the costs of this £1.8m project.  There are several fundraising opportunities available, including donations, organ pipe adoption and a patron scheme with a wide range of supporter benefits.