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About the RSCM

The RSCM supports a world-wide network of over 8,000 churches, schools and individuals. We are committed to achieving the best use of good music in worship – whatever the resources, whatever the style. Through education, training, publications, advice and encouragement, we aim to support church music today and to invest in church music for the future.

Use the links below to find out more:

What is the RSCM?

The Royal School of Church Music is

  • an educational Christian charity
  • enabling the best use of music in worship, church life, and community

We have

  • 7,100 active members and affiliates, and 1,100 supporting friends
  • encouraged by 600 volunteers in the UK, Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
  • and supported by a small central staff

This is an open, life-long learning organization

  • with involvement from people of every age, from under 8 to over 80
  • committed to enabling singing, encouraging choirs, nurturing skills, and developing understanding

What is the RSCM aiming to achieve?

The RSCM's mission is to enable the best use of music in Christian worship, church life, and in the wider community.

Our objectives are
to support our members through

  • practical and applied programmes of education and training
  • music-making at festivals and courses
  • music and training resources
  • information, advice and guidance

to serve the churches by

  • encouraging music-making in general, and singing in particular
  • providing training in essential skills for church music
  • developing understanding of music in the church's ministry and worship
  • encouraging good music everywhere through fostering outreach from the churches into the community
  • engaging with young people in singing

How does the RSCM deliver its work?

Internationally, through our three core programmes

  • Voice for Life, a comprehensive training programme for choral singers of all ages and abilities
  • Church Music Skills, a range of practical training schemes and awards in essential skills
  • Foundation Degree in Church Music, an educational programme to develop real understanding of music in worship

Centrally, through

  • our member magazine, Church Music Quarterly
  • our quarterly guide to choosing music for worship, Sunday by Sunday
  • the RSCM Press, publishing music and training resources
  • our website, www.rscm.com
  • our advice lines
  • our national youth choir, the RSCM Millennium Youth Choir
  • our training choirs, RSCM Voices
  • our short residential courses

Regionally, through the work of our volunteers, who organize

  • festivals and other special events
  • local courses, summer schools, workshops and training days
  • singing award schemes

In partnership with others

  • consulting with the churches nationally and locally
  • collaborating with other church, music, and educational organizations

How are we funded?

Our principal sources of income are

  • subscriptions from affiliates, individual members and friends
  • courses, publications and sales of music
  • donations and legacies
  • funds raised by our volunteers and members

We also seek grants for development and new projects

How can you help the RSCM to do more?

  • by becoming an affiliate (open to any church, school or group), individual member or friend
  • by encouraging other churches, schools, groups, and individuals to join us
  • by making a donation
  • by remembering the RSCM in your will

The RSCM is an educational charity committed to enabling the best use of music in worship, church life, and the wider community. It is an open, life-long learning organization, offering direct and indirect education and training through its programmes, published resources, courses, and activities. With over 8,000 affiliates, members and friends in over 40 countries it is an international network, encouraged by over 600 volunteers, and supported by a small staff based in the UK.

The RSCM core programmes in singing, church music skills, and music in worship are ecumenical in purpose, nature and content.

Founded by Sir Sydney Nicholson in 1927, its original emphases were English and choral. Now, in a diverse international context, the RSCM’s work is far broader and more diverse. It offers models of good practice, provides programmes and resources that can be adapted to local circumstances, and supports the work of local churches through its voluntary committees.

The RSCM affirms the continuation of the great tradition of choral church music in cathedrals, parish churches, chapels and schools. The RSCM also seeks to enable each worshipping community to discover good music appropriate to its needs. The RSCM aims for high standards in all it does, from the simplest singing or playing in a small church or community to the most advanced choral activity.

Royal Patron
Her Majesty the Queen

Patrons
The Most Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (awaiting confirmation)
The Right Revd The Moderator of the Church of Scotland
His Grace The Archbishop of Westminster
The Revd The Moderator of the Free Church Federal Council
Lord Carey of Clifton

President
The Most Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (awaiting confirmation)

Vice-Presidents
The Right Revd David Stancliffe
Brian Kay
The Right Revd Nicholas Holtam

Council
The Rt Hon Lord Brian Gill (Chairman)
Ian Church (Vice-Chairman)
The Revd Dr Joseph Cassidy
Professor Tony Culyer
Katherine Dienes-Williams
Alan Mitchell
Rowan Morton-Gledhill
Michael Perrier
Dr David Price
Nicholas Russell
Dr Ian Sharp
Robin Thomas
Graham Wadley