About the RSCM
The RSCM supports a world-wide network of 8,500 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.
On these pages you can find out about the RSCM's mission, our history, the RSCM administrative centre in Salisbury and how to find us, the opportunities of working for us, the RSCM motto, and our latest news.
You can also learn about the structure of the RSCM, the honorary awards we make - and finally, how you can support our work.
See regular messages from the Director, Lindsay Gray here:
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
- 7,000 active members and affiliates, and 1,500 supporting friends
- encouraged by 750 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
- Sacred Music Studies, 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, the RSCM Cathedral Singers and 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
- delivering the Sacred Music Studies course with Bangor University
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 8,500 affiliates, members and friends in over 40 countries it is an international network, encouraged by over 750 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.