Very proud of our Music Director Paul Spicer, who was awarded the RCO Medal by @rcorganists.bsky.social at a ceremony at Southwark Cathedral yesterday. Congratulations Paul!
Very proud of our Music Director Paul Spicer, who was awarded the RCO Medal by @rcorganists.bsky.social at a ceremony at Southwark Cathedral yesterday. Congratulations Paul!
It's your last chance to prepare and submit your entry for the IAO–RCO Organ Competition 2026 - the deadline is THIS FRIDAY, 27 February. For organists aged 18-26, an important springboard for young talent. Details at www.rco.org.uk/events/iao-rco-competition-2026
#InternationalOrganDay returns on Saturday 25 April 2026 – join organists around the world in celebrating the organ and its music. Take part in your own way, details at www.rco.org.uk/internationalorganday
Warm congratulations to our successful FRCO, ARCO and CAM candidates from the Winter (January) 2026 examination session. We look forward to celebrating with them at Southwark Cathedral on 7 March. Read more at https://www.rco.org.uk/news_displaystory.php?newsid=411 #RCOConferment #FRCO #ARCO #CAM
Only 10 days left to watch the finale of The English Organ free on RCO Cinema (until the end of February). Daniel Moult explores England’s 20th-century organ story – and what the future may hold. Watch now: www.rco.org.uk/cinema
From Manila to the UK - Philippine organist Christian Tolentino is progressing through RCO accreditation – from CAM and now towards CRCO – & reflecting on how RCO learning has deepened his musicianship & church music ministry. Read more on iRCO tinyurl.com/2xv9cm33 (member or free guest reg req'd)
Heading to Dorset this week to reacquaint myself with the organ in #Christchurch Priory. I’ll be playing the lunchtime concert at 12:30pm on Thurs 12 Feb 2026.
Music by Paul Spicer - this year’s recipient of the @rcorganists.bsky.social medal - Gárdonyi, Elgar, Meyerbeer, Ireland, Harris & Lemare.
Only a fortnight left to secure early bird rates for TOSE Week 2026 – offer ends 28 February. This flagship residential course for ambitious teenage organists (c.16–18, Grade 7+) offers expert tuition, insight and fun. Oxford, 28 July – 2 August www.rco.org.uk/events/TW26
The Young Organ Scholars Trust (YOST) – an RCO Accredited Institution – has scholarships still available for the current academic year (2025–26) - for committed young musicians 13-18yrs who require full or partial support to access organ tuition. Closing 2 March www.yost.org.uk/become-a-scholar
Booking is open for the RCO Summer Course 2026 in London (3–8 August). Inspiring tuition for organists at every stage, plus Organ Explorers (6–8 Aug) for young beginners. Early-bird rates until 31 March, bursaries available. 👉 Book now conference.rco.org.uk
Have you checked out First Stop! yet – the RCO’s new one-stop shop for newcomers to the organ? Whether you’re looking to take your first steps as an organist, teach others about it, or simply explore this extraordinary instrument, visit www.firststoporgan.com today! #musiceducation #organ
There's just one month left to prepare and submit entries for the IAO–RCO Organ Competition for organists aged 18-26. The deadline is Friday 27 February, details at www.rco.org.uk/events/iao-rco-competition-2026
Part II of The English Organ – 'The Victorian Boom' has been available on RCO Cinema throughout January – so there’s just one week left to catch it! Watch now, free of charge, at www.rco.org.uk/cinema
We’re excited announce Fingers and Feet: A Journey to the Organ Bench – a new tutor book for complete beginners – alongside First Stop! our new website for anyone curious about the organ. Download the book, watch the accompanying films & explore at www.firststoporgan.com/playlists/fingers-and-feet
There’s still time to secure an early bird place on the Organ Student Experience (TOSE) Week in Oxford (28 July–2 Aug). This is our flagship course for ambitious organists aged c.16–18 Grade 7+, with expert tuition on outstanding instruments. Details & booking at www.rco.org.uk/events/TW26
Young organists (under 23) are invited to take part in Bach: Life and Death - an Orgelbuechlein Organ Project from Bedford Music Club: includes study day with William Whitehead and mini recitals.See www.bedfordmusicclub.com/organpack
and deadline for applying is 30 January.
@rcorganists.bsky.social
New on iRCO 🎬 A four-part film series on choral accompaniment at the organ begins with Viennese Masses, using works by Haydn, Mozart & Schubert. Free for RCO members at https://i.rco.org.uk/choral-accompaniment-at-the-organ-viennese-masses (find out more about membership at www.rco.org.uk/join )
🎬 Now streaming on RCO Cinema: The English Organ – Part II: The Victorian Boom. Explore the golden age of English organ culture in this acclaimed documentary by Fugue State Films. Watch free: www.rco.org.uk/cinema
We will award our highest honour, the RCO Medal, to three distinguished musicians in 2026: Prof. Bine Bryndorf, Gabriel Jackson and Paul Spicer. The awards will be presented at Southwark Cathedral on 7 March 👉 https://tinyurl.com/RCOMedal2026
We’ve launched new professional diploma qualifications in choral directing – CChD, AChD and FChD – offering flexible, progressive accreditation for choir directors at every career stage. Read more 👉 https://tinyurl.com/rcochoraldiplomas
#musiceducation #choral #organist
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from everyone at the RCO. We wish all our members, supporters and friends a peaceful, restorative & musically rich festive season. A huge thank you for all the contributions to our work this year - not least through #PlayTheOrgan Year!
“...one of the most important organ recordings of all time...” Find out what the fuss is about by adding The English Organ to your Christmas watch list - it's streaming free of charge online on RCO Cinema throughout the Christmas period and into the New Year www.rco.org.uk/cinema
When you’re settling down to enjoy your favourite Christmas films this year, make time for RCO Cinema, which is streaming 'The English Organ' – described by Gramophone as a “dazzling showcase of repertoire and instruments” – throughout December and the New Year. View now, at www.rco.org.uk/cinema
Last chance to see! Don’t miss "Franck: Father of the Organ Symphony - Part 2" – free on RCO Cinema until the end of November. Exploring the genius of César Franck and featuring his greatest organ works performed by David Noël-Hudson www.rco.org.uk/cinema #organ #organmusic #cesarfranck
An exciting new series of classes on historical playing techniques, led by Richard Brasier, begins on 28 February with a class on The French Classical Organ School. Booking is now open for this + English Organ Music to c.1750 (13 June) at 👉 www.rco.org.uk/events
#organmusic #organists #rcoacademy
Our latest Working Webinar – Performing under pressure – is now available for RCO members on iRCO. Performance mentor Amy Littlewood explores anxiety, what happens under pressure, and how to deliver your best performances.
👉 https://i.rco.org.uk/working-webinars-performing-under-pressure/
Entries are open for the IAO–RCO Organ Competition 2026, open to organists aged 18–26 years. A significant platform for emerging organists. Details and application at www.rco.org.uk/events/iao-rco-competition-2026
There are still some great #PlayTheOrgan Year events to enjoy, so don’t miss out! Find one near you, bring anyone you think might be interested in this unique experience, and take part 😊 www.rco.org.uk/playevents
Join us on 31 Jan for a day of music making in & around Durham Cathedral. Choose organ playing, choral conducting, or both – with tuition from Daniel Cook + Tom Bell. Observe evensong, play historic organs & be part of an inspiring musical day www.rco.org.uk/events/durham-cathedral-study-day
Take a deep-dive into organ music & history with RCO Journal Vol 17. Exploring publishing in Grand Siècle France, Bach’s pedal parts, anniversaries of Schmidt, Stanford & Parratt, and the meaning of destroyed organs. Free for RCO members, read now: https://i.rco.org.uk #OrganMusic #OrganHistory