Tag Archives: RCO

by | October 30, 2020 · 8:17 am

RCO Keyboard Musicianship Classes November 2020

The RCO have just added a new study level to the Keyboard Musicianship Classes taking place on the five Monday evenings during November, 18:00–19:00 (GMT). This uses the Level 6 lessons in Graded Keyboard Musicianship Book 2 (OUP 2017) by Anne Marsden Thomas and Frederick Stocken. 

As well as being of general benefit to all players (pianists as well as organists), the Level 6 lessons will be of particular use for anybody considering taking CRCO

Contact the RCO:
RCO Bookings and Accounts, PO Box 7328, New Milton, BH25 9DU 
Tel: 020 3865 6998 | Email: admin@rco.org.uk

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by | June 17, 2019 · 8:08 pm

The Royal College of Organists – upcoming events

The following is a summary of forthcoming RCO events. ‘Y’ indicates events geared to young organists, while ‘SC’ denotes a small class for maximum 6 people (plus observers as appropriate). Please note that the 24-hour clock is used throughout.

Saturday 22 Jun 2019 (10:00–17:00)
Preparing for CRCO, ARCO and FRCO
London SE21: St Barnabas, Dulwich

Study day for those preparing for or considering CRCO, ARCO or FRCO; booking now open. Places available. Read more >>

23–28 July 2019
The Organ Student Experience (TOSE) (Y)
Cambridge: Trinity College and others

The essential course for teenage organists of Grade 7 standard and above, offering expert tuition in repertoire, keyboard skills, choral conducting and accompaniment. Artistic Director, Daniel Moult. Read more >>

Saturday 27 July 2019 (14:00–17:00)
Building a Repertoire: Music from the Classical French era (SC)
Newcastle: King’s Hall, Newcastle University

Newcastle University’s new Aubertin organ is the perfect instrument on which to unlock the magic of the French Classical era. Music by composers such as F. Couperin, Marchand, de Grigny and Clerambault will be the starting point for the class; six players (any standard) are invited to bring along movements (or sections of works) for coaching with Andrew Cantrill-Fenwick, an experienced exponent of the style. Places available. Read more >>

29 July–3 August 2019
RCO Summer Course
City of London: St Giles, Cripplegate and others

The big course with the personal touch for all ages and stages; seven levels of study; and up to 20 different City organs. Directed by Simon Williams. Places available. Read more >>

6–8 September 2019
OrganFest 2019
Cardiff & Llandaff: various venues

A collaboration between the College, the IAO and BIOS, this is a splendid weekend of concerts, presentations and lectures covering all aspects of the organ. It takes place across the city in venues as diverse as St David’s Hall, Eglwys Dewi Sant, St John the Baptist church, the National Museum of Wales and in Llandaff Cathedral. Online and telephone booking now open. Read more >>

Saturday 14 September 2019 (13:30–16:30)
Building a Repertoire: Music for Advent and Christmas (SC)
Northumberland: Hexham Abbey

Looking to test out a new piece on one of the country’s most inspiring instruments, or to explore fresh musical ideas for Advent and Christmas? This class, led by Andrew Cantrill-Fenwick, will provide practical assistance and encouragement for players of all standards and will include short presentations of relevant repertoire. Read more >>

Saturday 12 October 2019 (18:30–21:30)
Performance class (SC)
Lincoln Cathedral

A chance to perform on one of only two ‘Father’ Willis organs in English cathedrals to retain its original tonal scheme. Bring a suitable piece to work on under the guidance of Jeffrey Makinson, Director of Music at Lincoln and an RCO accredited teacher. Booking opens soon.

Saturday 19 October 2019 (10:30–16:30)
Hymns and voluntaries (SC)
Windsor: Holy Trinity Church

A day of practical advice with RCO Regional Consultant John Halsey, focused on improving your hymn and voluntary playing. Suitable for all ages and levels of experience up to CRCO diploma, and especially good for anyone new to playing in church. Read more >>

Saturday 19 October 2019 (11:30–14:30)
Teach the organ! (1 of 6) (SC)
London EC2: St Giles, Cripplegate

All places taken for this ground-breaking, comprehensive series of six classes with Anne Marsden Thomas MBE, covering key aspects of teaching the organ. (One place currently remains for the sixth class. Please email events@rco.org.ukto be added to the waiting list.)

Saturday 26 October (11:30–14:30)
Teach the organ! (2 of 6) (SC)
London EC2: St Giles, Cripplegate

All places taken for this ground-breaking, comprehensive series of six classes with Anne Marsden Thomas MBE, covering key aspects of teaching the organ. (One place currently remains for the sixth class. Please email events@rco.org.ukto be added to the waiting list.)

Thursday 31 October (18:00–21:00)
Adlington’s time-capsule (SC)
nr Macclesfield, Cheshire: Adlington Hall

A chance to play Adlington’s historic 17th-century organ, known to, and almost certainly played by, Handel. A class on repertoire and style of the period with Daniel Moult. Booking opens soon; make a note of the date or email Tom Bell to register your interest.

Saturday 16 November (time tbc)
Walond and his contemporaries (SC)
Oxford: Lincoln College

Gabriele Damiani invites you to explore the music of William Walond, an English organist and composer born in Oxford in 1719, and other English 18th-century composers.. Booking opens shortly.

Wednesday 20 November 2019
La révolte des orgues
London SW1: Westminster Cathedral

Promoted by Westminster Cathedral in partnership with the College, here is rare chance to hear an astonishing organ work by Jean Guillou, composed for nine organs, percussion and conductor. Booking not yet open, but reserve the date.

Saturday 23 November 2019 (14:00–17:00)
Improvisation for Beginners
Durham: College of St Hild & St Bede

The first of three classes in which Andrew Cantrill-Fenwick sets out his inspiring approach to improvisation, working in a structured way with demonstrations and console time for each player. This first session, for organists with limited or no experience, or for those wishing to refresh their improvisatory skills, is designed for a group of up to eight players. It will cover harmony, melody, rhythm, and organ management in a format designed to generate confidence and creativity. Further sessions in 2020. Read more >>

Saturday 30 November (time tbc)
Console management (SC)
London W1: All Saints, Margaret Street

Too much choice and no spare hand? Using the church’s 4-manual Harrison & Harrison organ with its 66 speaking stops, Jeremiah Stephenson coaches you in managing seamless registration changes using pistons and the swell box. Especially useful for those involved in choral accompaniment. Booking opens soon.

Saturday 7 December 2019 (14:00–17:00)
Bach’s feet (SC)
Manchester: Cathedral

Learn from Christopher Stokes about the pedalling techniques ofBach’s day and how this informs our playing of repertoire of the period. Booking opens soon; make a note of the date or email Tom Bell to register your interest.

Saturday 15 February 2020 (11:30–14:30)
Teach the organ! (3 of 6) (SC)
London EC2: St Giles, Cripplegate

All places taken for this ground-breaking, comprehensive series of six classes with Anne Marsden Thomas MBE, covering key aspects of teaching the organ. (One place currently remains for the sixth class. Please email events@rco.org.ukto be added to the waiting list.)

Saturday 4 May 2020 (10:30–13:30)
Teach the organ! (4 of 6) (SC)
London EC2: St Giles, Cripplegate

All places taken for this ground-breaking, comprehensive series of six classes with Anne Marsden Thomas MBE, covering key aspects of teaching the organ. (One place currently remains for the sixth class.)

Saturday 4 May 2020 (14:30–17:30)
Teach the organ! (5 of 6) (SC)
London EC2: St Giles, Cripplegate

All places taken for this ground-breaking, comprehensive series of six classes with Anne Marsden Thomas MBE, covering key aspects of teaching the organ. (One place currently remains for the sixth class. Please email events@rco.org.ukto be added to the waiting list.)

Saturday 30 May 2020 (11:30–14:30)
Teach the organ! (6 of 6) (SC)
London EC2: St Giles, Cripplegate

See also Saturday 19 October. Class 6 covers registration, and the particular skills required of the church organist. Only one place available for this class. Read more >>

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by | July 8, 2018 · 4:50 pm

Huddersfield Preparation Session for CRCO, ARCO & FRCO diploma candidates

The RCO is running a diploma study session, offered on the organ in St Paul’s Hall which is used for the examination, will cover the practical elements of CRCO, ARCO and FRCO diplomas. It is essential preparation for those taking diplomas exams at the next session, but will also be of interest to those contemplating an exam in the future. There will be opportunities for discussion and the exchange of ideas. The provisional timetable is as follows:

13:30 – Welcome and introduction
13:40 – Syllabus repertoire tutorials
15:30 – Refreshments
15:45 – Sight-Reading
16:10 – Tests after preparation (transposition/score reading/harmonisation)
16:35 – Improvisation and figured bass
17:00 – Session ends

Students wanting to cover any of the paperwork elements of these diplomas are asked to email Tom Bell as far in advance as possible so that arrangements can be made.

Venue
St Paul’s Hall is part of the University of Huddersfield, and the organ is that used for RCO Diploma examinations. A specification can be downloaded from this page. Click here for a map showing the location.

Teachers
The afternoon will be led by John Scott Whiteley, with Tom Bell (RCO Regional Director for the North of England, North Wales and the Isle of Man) and Graham Cummings.

Further information and online booking can be found here.

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by | February 13, 2018 · 9:44 pm

RCO Easter Course – 5th – 7th April 2018,Oxford

This much appreciated annual course offers comprehensive tuition for those preparing for or considering CRCO, ARCO or FRCO. You can attend as a resident or non-resident; special timetables can be devised for those preparing for specific sections of CRCO, ARCO or FRCO rather than the whole examination.

Accommodation
We are resident at The Queen’s College, home to the ground-breaking Frobenius organ of 1965. In addition, tuition will take place on several other of Oxford’s varied collection of fine organs, including Keble and Merton Colleges where Johannes Geffert and Gerard Brooks will give public recitals.

Accommodation is in single rooms––ensuite or standard at your choice. Standard rooms have a wash basin with shared toilet and bathroom facilities nearby.

Teachers
Johannes Geffert returns having taught to great acclaim on the Easter Course in Cambridge in 2015. He will teach across the course strands but will bring his specilaist knowledge of German Romantic organ music to the ARCO strand where the written paper history topic for 2018–2019 is Germany, 1850–1920 and the set works are the chorale preludes by Brahms. He will also play a recital on the Tickell organ at Keble College.

Gerard Brooks will also teach across the course and will bring his extensive knowledge of French Romantic organ music to the CRCO set works for 2018–2019, Vierne’s 24 Pièces en style libre (book 1), and to the FRCO history topic France 1860–1940. He will also play a recital incorporating this repertoire on the Dobson organ of Merton College.

David Ponsford will lead a seminar for FRCO students on de Grigny’s Livre d-Orgue (set work July 2018-January 2019). He is an expert in French Classical organ music and has recently prepared a new edition of de Grigny’s organ music.

Frederick Stocken brings wide experience of teaching harmony and counterpoint in general and the written papers of RCO Diploma examinations in particular, both to individuals and on courses.

James Parsons, formerly RCO Head of Student Development and organ tutor, Birmingham Conservatoire. Like Gerard Brooks, he has extensive experience as an RCO examiner.

Simon Williams, Director RCO East, South and South West region and Director of Music, St George’s, Hanover Square. This will be the 20th Easter Course that he has directed.

What to prepare:
Pieces from the lists in the examination regulations for CRCO, ARCO and FRCO (work in progress is acceptable)
Examples of your work in preparation for the written paper(s) as appropriate

Fees (all prices include VAT)
RCO Member (standard room with wash basin) £695
RCO Member (ensuite room) £745
RCO Member (non-resident, included lunch and dinner) £530
Non-member (standard room with wash basin) £715
Non-member (ensuite room) £775
Non-member (non-resident, included lunch and dinner) £560

You can also book extra nights Bed & Breakfast for Wednesday 4 and/or Saturday 7 April at a cost of £75 (standard room)/£100 (en-suite room) per night.

For further information and to book a place, please click here.

 

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by | November 20, 2017 · 8:43 pm

Darius Battiwalla Masterclass – Leeds Town Hall

On 2nd December, Darius Battiwalla is holding a masterclass exploring 19th C (and onwards) Organ works.

Leeds Town Hall runs one of the country’s most successful recital series.  This class is a chance to work on concert repertoire from the 19th century onwards with Darius Battiwalla, the new Leeds City Organist.

Bring a piece of 19th-century repertoire. Players of any level of attainment are welcome as long as the piece they are playing is at an advanced stage of preparation; however, players who are able to make full use of this large instrument will derive the most benefit from the masterclass.

Fee: £45 (RCO Members); £51 (non-members). Observer places may be available.

Further information can be found on: http://www.dariusbattiwalla.com/

To book, please see the RCO website: https://www.rco.org.uk/events.php?eventid=513

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by | September 6, 2017 · 2:01 pm

Improve Your Playing Masterclass with David Baker – 14th October 2017

Click here for the RCO Event Page & to book tickets.

 

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Upcoming RCO Events

Please see the attached link for upcoming RCO events – The Huddersfield event advertised is being ran by Andrew Cantrill, and HOA’s own David Baker will be in attendance.

 

RCO Events Poster

 

 

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by | August 23, 2017 · 1:18 pm
by | May 19, 2017 · 1:38 pm

cantantibus organis – exploring the unique musical landscape of the late mediaeval organ -Worcester

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by | April 27, 2017 · 2:12 pm

Compose for the Orgelbüchlein Project competition

The Orgelbüchlein Project and the RCO are teaming up to run an Orgelbüchlein composition competition, to be judged in a public concert. Two chorales are currently ring-fenced in the Orgelbüchlein Community  for possible inclusion in the New Orgelbüchlein, currently in preparation at Peters Edition. There is still time to submit your composition! Composers of any age and nationality may take part, according to the following criteria:

1) Choose one of the two ring-fenced chorales (Nos. 115 and 134), and set it for organ solo with obbligato pedals. You may submit one composition for each of these chorales, but the only one composition per composer will be shortlisted.
2) The chorale melody must be featured in the composition, set end to end. This may be achieved using one of Bach’s Orgelbüchlein techniques (melody chorale, decorated chorale, canon), or other more modernistic techniques may be applied to the melody. The melody must be structural to the composition, even if altered and manipulated. Please be aware – the task is ‘paraphrase’ not ‘fantasia’.
3) Style is completely open, though density of technique and economy of motif are recommended. The aim of the task is to reflect the ethos of Bach’s Orgelbüchlein for the modern age.

The melody of 115 can be found as BWV 308, or Riemenschneider 27.
The melody of 134 can be found at this link: http://www.orgelbuechlein.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NOB-134-chorale.pdf

Compositions must be submitted by email, no later than June 1st 2017. Please send to whiteheadwilliam@me.com. A shortlist of up to ten compositions will be drawn up, and all composers will be notified of this result by 12 June. The shortlisted compositions will be heard live in a public concert on 8 July 2017 beginning at 18:00hrs, played by Nicholas Morris at St George’s Hanover Square, London W1. A panel chaired by current RCO President Philip Moore will judge the compositions and two winning compositions will be chosen (one for each chorale). Each will receive a prize of £125, and both will be submitted to the editorial panel at Peters Edition for inclusion in the New Orgelbüchlein publication, for which a small royalty will be payable. Though the intention is to take both pieces, Peters Edition reserves the right not to publish either piece

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by | March 21, 2017 · 12:51 pm

French Classical Organ Study Trip – Paris, Poitiers & Versailles

French Classical Organ Study Trip – 19 – 21st July – 

Paris, Poitiers & Versailles. 

RCO has organised the above, aimed at those preparing for ARCO for examination in July 2017 and January 2018 when the Historical Studies topic is France, 1680–1760, and the Set Work is the Premier Livre d’orgue by Clérambault, although anyone with skills diploma level (and above) is welcome – to ensure adequate playing time, only 12 spaces are available.

The organ music of the composers of the French Classical School (Boyvin, Clérambault, F. Couperin, Dandrieu, de Grigny, du Mage, Guilain, Lebègue, Marchand, Nivers…) is amongst the most beguiling in the repertoire, yet there
are few organs in the UK which can begin to offer a glimpse of the sound world crucial to the projection of this repertoire, nor the action which facilitates the execution of the many ornaments. This study trip offers players of
diploma standard and above the opportunity to hear and play the famous organs of St Gervais, Paris where several generations of the Couperin family were organist, including François Poitiers Cathedral world famous late Classical organ
Royal Chapel of the Palace of Versailles a historically inspired instrument of 1996 in the original case of 1710

The trip includes:

Demonstration and class at St Gervais
Classes and performance at Poitiers Cathedral
Class at Versailles plus entry to the rest of the Palace and grounds afterwards .

Accommodation, transport and meals / other expenditure are excluded from the cost, however, suggested travel arrangements and further information can be found here.

Costs:

RCO Member: £345

Non-member: £375

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