Short Courses in the UK 2012
The RSCM offers enjoyable and rewarding courses for all involved in music and singing in the church, for children, young people and adults of all abilities. These complement the RSCM's Voice for Life and Church Music Skills education programmes.
For help in choosing the right course for you, contact +44 (0)1722 424843 or education(at)rscm.com.
Please note that different booking arrangements and Terms & Conditions apply for different courses.
Training is also provided locally in the UK by the RSCM's Area Committees, and you can find details of forthcoming events on the area pages of this website. Courses are also available in other parts of the world - for more details go to the RSCM International websites.
International Summer School and Conference in the UK
The next international summer school in the UK will be held in York, 12-18 August 2013. This will be preceded by a 24 hour conference (11-12 August) for UK and international committee and branch members. Further information will be made available here as soon as possible.
Young People's Courses
The RSCM is well known for its courses for young people, incorporating the ever-popular ingredients of a broad range of choral repertoire, vocal development, fun and friendship. These courses are an ideal complement to the Voice for Life programme, and build upon the training that choristers receive in their own choirs.
Download a copy of the brochure for Young People's Courses 2012 below:
- Download Young People's Courses brochure here
- See illustrated podcast about young people's courses here
 SPRING COURSE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Director: Gordon Appleton |
Tuesday 10 – Friday 13 April 2012 Sedbergh School, Cumbria Price: £255 (£295 non-members) |
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 This course offers the popular combination of inspirational music-making and a great holiday. Gordon Appleton, experienced RSCM Course Director, leads a team of excellent staff, who provide separate tutorials for boys, girls and young altos, tenors and basses. The teaching is designed to develop individual voices within the context of learning choral music for daily services. Each house contributes its own music to the services as well as having the experience of singing in the massed choir. Sedbergh School was a new location last year, and was such a success that we are delighted to return. The small town of Sedbergh is in the north-west of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and has a large school chapel and lovely parish church where the choir will sing. There will be time to enjoy the school’s excellent sports facilities and the surrounding area. This course is designed for children and young people aged 10 to 17 years. A small number of bursaries are available - see information below. |
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 SUMMER COURSE FOR YOUNG PEOPLEDirector: Geoff Weaver |
Monday 20 – Sunday 26 August 2012 Kingswood School, Bath Price: £375 (£440 non-members) |
 Young people love returning to this course year after year. Kingswood School stands above the beautiful city of Bath, with a wonderful view towards Bath Abbey. Under the inspirational leadership of Geoff Weaver, an experienced team of tutors provides wide-ranging musical training, including care and development of the voice. Much of the teaching will be helpful to those following the Voice for Life training scheme, especially those preparing for awards. There will also be workshops giving a chance to try some new skills. Daily services are held in Kingswood Chapel, and at the weekend the massed choir sings in Bath Abbey - always an exciting experience. A wide range of music, set within diverse liturgies, provides musical and spiritual enrichment. Kingswood School has excellent facilities, and there are also chances to explore the historic city of Bath. Accommodation is in small dormitories, and there is a team of pastoral staff on hand. This course is designed for children and young people aged from 10 to 24 years. A small number of bursaries and two organ scholarships are available - see information below. |
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Booking
To apply for a place on a Young People's Course, download the booking form below, print (complete a separate form for each applicant), and send with payment of the deposit to the address below. The booking form must be signed by a parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18 years of age to ensure the terms and conditions have been understood.
NB: If you are a choir director/trainer applying for places on behalf of a group of choristers, please ensure that all the personal details are provided for each applicant.
RSCM Education, 19 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EB, UK
Bursaries
Some bursaries are available for students in full-time education and overseas participants.
For more information, contact the Education Administrator on +44 (0)1722 424843 or education(at)rscm.com.
Organ Scholarships
In addition to bursaries, the RSCM offers two organ scholarships for the Summer Course at Bath. Contact the Education Administrator on 01722 424843 or education(at)rscm.com for details, or download information from the link below. The closing date for applications is 20th April 2012.
Terms and Conditions
Please read carefully the terms and conditions on the back of the brochure or booking form.
Residential courses for church organists
Whether you are already a student on the Church Music Skills programme, or just keen to learn new techniques and build your confidence, you’ll find plenty of inspiration on our courses for organists. Being a church organist can often be a solitary task, and our course participants value the opportunity to share their experiences and know they are part of a community of musicians facing the same challenges.
Led by two of our key Church Music Skills course tutors, the tutorials provide an innovative approach to aspects of organ technique. Topics covered will include use of stops and pedals, playing for services, new repertoire and improvisation.
Tuition is designed to support those who have just begun playing as well as those with more experience, and will be given in small groups so that everyone has a chance to have a go. Participants will have the opportunity to play a variety of organs including those at Salisbury Cathedral and York Minster, and the programmes will include seminars, recitals and free time to explore.
Whether you are just beginning your organ playing career or have many years of experience, you will find support, encouragement and expert teaching on our courses. Many students have found an immediate and noticeable improvement in their service playing; why not ask your church to help fund a course place for you?
Download a copy of the brochure for organist courses in 2012 below:
 SALISBURY COURSE FOR CHURCH ORGANISTS Director: Gerard Brooks |
Tuesday 10 – Friday 13 April 2012 Sarum College, Salisbury Cathedral Close Residential price: £460 (£540 non-members) En-suite: £45 supplement (subject to availability) Non-residential price: £379 (£445 non-members) |
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 We welcome back Gerard Brooks as director of the organ course in Salisbury. Gerard is Director of Music at Westminster Central Hall, and is also a concert organist, recording artist and teacher. He is a tutor with the St Giles International Organ School and teaches the organ at Latymer School in London. You can find out more about Gerard from his website: www.gerardbrooks.org.uk He will be joined by a team of experienced tutors who will provide expert, sympathetic teaching for organists of all levels. Wide-ranging tutorials provide an innovative approach to all aspects of organ playing including use of stops and pedals, playing for services, improvisation and new repertoire. All participants will have the opportunity to play a wide variety of organs in the churches and chapels of Salisbury. Tuition is given in small groups, so that everyone has a chance to “have a go”, and the programme also includes seminars and recitals. Sarum College, within the elegant Cathedral Close at Salisbury, offers comfortable, simple accommodation, a hospitable welcome, and excellent catering. A limited number of en-suite rooms are available at a small supplement. Double and twin rooms may be available on request - please enquire. Please note, some walking is involved between venues used for this course. |
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 YORK COURSE FOR CHURCH ORGANISTS Director: Daniel Moult |
Monday 11 – Thursday 14 June 2012 York St John University Residential price: £450 (£530 non-member) Non-residential price: £390 (£460 non-member) |
 Daniel Moult is well known to regular organ course participants, and is a tutor for the RSCM's Church Music Skills programme. He is a busy concert organist and tutor, and regularly accompanies the Millennium Youth Choir. You can find out more about Daniel here: www.danielmoult.com This course is designed for organists of all levels, whether playing regularly for church services or not. Solo repertoire, hymnody, playing for psalms, anthems and improvisation will all be covered. Organists will find much to inspire them while they take a close look at their playing skills and what they can achieve as both accompanists and solo players. This will be a week filled with challenge, enjoyment and fun. The historic city of York offers a wide range of organs on which to receive tuition during this summer course. Organists will meet in small groups with a team of sympathetic and inspiring tutors who will be dealing with a wide range of technique issues, as well as service playing skills and historical style issues. York St John University is in the centre of the city, just a short walk from the Minster. Accommodation is in single study bedrooms. Please note, some walking is involved between venues used for this course. |
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Booking
To apply for a place on a Church Organists course, download the booking form below, print (complete a separate form for each applicant), and send with payment of the deposit to:
RSCM Education, 19 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EB, UK
Bursaries
Limited bursary funds are available for students in full-time education and overseas participants. For more information, contact the Education Administrator on +44 (0)1722 424843 or education(at)rscm.com.
Terms and Conditions
Please read carefully the terms and conditions on the back of the brochure or booking form.
Church Music Skills Training Days
The RSCM's Church Music Skills programme is designed to help practising church musicians develop the skills and understanding they need for their role, and to equip those who want to be able to lead music in worship. The core programme is delivered as distance learning, but our residential and day courses now offer practical opportunities to complement your studies.
You can find information about the residential courses for organists here.
A rolling programme of training days offers hands-on training for small groups of musicians. Led by our expert Church Music Skills tutors, and following the same philosophy, these one-day courses are ideal both as support for Skills students, and as self-contained training for church musicians of all levels, including beginners.
Previous courses for organists have focused on technical skills, accompanying music for services and solo repertoire, and the programme for choir directors has included conducting skills, understanding the voice and rehearsal techniques.
Details of training days will be publicised here throughout the year, as they become available. If you would like us to notify you of upcoming courses, please send your contact details to education(at)rscm.com, with an indication of which of the streams (Organist/Choir Director/Cantor/Music Group Leader) would interest you.
LONDON - Saturday 22 October 2011
10.30am - 4.00pm, St Michael's Church, Chester Square, London SW1W
(NB: change of venue from that previously advertised)
Places for Organists - waiting list only
Places for Choir Directors - waiting list only
The tutor for choir directors at this course will be Jeremy Summerly (see more about Jeremy here), and the tutor for organists will be Daniel Moult, Senior Tutor for RSCM Church Music Skills Organist programme (see Daniel's website here).
Prices for 22 October 2011:
£55 per day for RSCM members
£60 per day for RCO and ABCD members
£65 per day for non-members
To apply for this Training Day, please contact the Education Administrator at education(at)rscm.com or +44 (0)1722 424843.
Summer Cathedral Courses
RSCM cathedral courses offer education and training through a combination of inspiring leadership and individual tuition, all in the context of daily worship at one of the UK’s finest cathedrals, churches and chapels.
To avoid clashes with the Olympic Games, we have combined two of our cathedral courses for 2012.
SALISBURY CATHEDRAL COURSE
Monday 13 – Sunday 19 August 2012
A joint cathedral course for boys, girls and adults
Director: Paul Hale
Girls’ tutor: Sarah McDonald
Boys’ tutor: Charles Harrison
This course is an exciting new development as our popular boys’ and girls’ courses share a venue for the first time.
With top-quality tutors for each group, some separate services for girls’ and boys’ voices, and the addition of two late-night compline services, this course will offer every singer at least as much singing as a ‘standard’ choral course, with increased musical and liturgical variety.
Set in the splendour of Salisbury’s medieval cathedral (which, twenty years ago, became the first English cathedral to enrich its choral tradition with a girls’ choir in addition to a long-established boys’ choir), this course will offer, in the words of director Paul Hale, a “unique opportunity” for training, development and music making of the highest standard.
Paul Hale said, “I am so thrilled that this course is happening, and looking forward to working with all these talented youngsters.”
Guide price for boys and girls – £495
Guide price for adults – £515
Prices and accommodation arrangements will be confirmed in invitation letters. Non-residential and en-suite options may be possible for adults on request.
CAMBRIDGE COURSE FOR ADULTS
St John’s College Chapel
Monday 20 – Sunday 26 August 2012
Director: Andrew Nethsingha
A wonderful opportunity to sing in the inspiring setting of one of Cambridge’s finest
chapels, under the directorship of St John’s own Director of Music.
Guide price – £515
Prices and accommodation arrangements will be confirmed in invitation letters. Non-residential and en-suite options may be possible on request.
New application procedure for 2012:
Anyone wishing to be considered for a place on one of these courses should download, print and complete the form below, returning it by 1 November 2011. We will send successful applicants an invitation by 1 December 2011. We will consider applications received after the November deadline if places are still available.
RSCM cathedral courses are of a high standard, and the choirs sing daily evensong and Sunday services for the whole week. Applicants should be experienced singers and confident sightreaders, able to learn new music quickly.
As part of the RSCM’s commitment to ongoing training of its members and affiliates, priority will be given to the following groups:
- Members of RSCM Voices
- Gold Award holders and singers working towards the Gold Award
- Former members of the Millennium Youth Choir (and current members as long as they are not needed for MYC duties)
If you have any queries about these courses, please contact the Education Administrator on +44 (0)1722 424843 or education@rscm.com
Bursaries
A small number of bursaries are available for students in full-time education and overseas participants.
Singing Breaks
For adults who enjoy choral singing, there are opportunities to sing a variety of wonderful music in beautiful and inspiring places. Singing breaks are mostly offered locally through our voluntary network (see Area pages), and are particularly recommended for those using the Voice for Life training scheme in their own churches or choirs.
Please note the different booking arrangements below.
 SARUM SINGING BREAK Sarum College in association with the RSCM Director: Leah Perona-Wright |
Wednesday 15 – Friday 17 February 2012 Sarum College, Salisbury Residential prices: Standard £225 (£245), En-suite: £255 (£275), Premier en-suite: £285 (£305) (en-suite subject to availability) Non-residential price: £165 (£185) |
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 A musical retreat offering an opportunity to enjoy singing and worship in the beautiful setting of Salisbury’s Cathedral Close. Explore the living and liturgical contexts of new and familiar repertoire, share fellowship, and enjoy the hospitality of Sarum College. The 2012 theme is Worship and Song Celebrating the Gift of Love. The course will explore the theme of love using sacred song through the ages and from around the world. Leah Perona-Wright is a singer and vocal specialist, and directs choirs of all ages and abilities. She is former director of the RSCM Voice for Life programme, and an examiner for the RSCM singing awards.
Please note the booking arrangements for this course: |
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 CORNWALL SINGING BREAKDirector: Nigel Groome |
Friday 9 – Sunday 11 March 2012 Epiphany House, Truro Residential price: £140 |
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A new course for the RSCM in the south west, led by the RSCM's Regional Music Adviser. An opportunity to share music, learning and fellowship. The weekend will include services in Epiphany House Chapel, Kenwyn Church and Truro Cathedral. For booking and further information, contact Nigel Groome at ngroome(at)rscm.com or telephone +44 (0)7530 760336. | |
| RSCM SCOTLAND SUMMER SCHOOL (INCORPORATING THE DUNBLANE SINGING BREAK) Director: Gordon Appleton |
Monday 9 – Thursday 12 July 2012 Stirling University and Dunblane Cathedral |
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This new course incorporates the Dunblane Singing Break, which will be in its 15th year in 2012, and will include some optional skills workshops in the afternoons. The acts of worship will continue to take place in Dunblane Cathedral accompanied by Matthew Beetschen on the splendid Flentrop organ. This course is organised by the RSCM Scotland Committee. For booking and further information, see the RSCM Scotland Area website or contact Brian Baker at dunblanesingingbreak(at)rscmscotland.org or telephone | |
Other singing breaks may be organised by Area Committees. See The Network or the Area pages for details.