Help at hand for 'volunteer' organists struggling with diapasons

A series of courses for those who have been asked to 'fill in at their local church' (and possibly find themselves still as organists months later) is just one event in the RSCM’s newly launched UK programme of choral and organ courses in 2007.

In addition, there's a brand new course for young people called "Let's make a musical" - a feat which has to be accomplished from scratch in four days during the Whitsun half-term break, at Stowe School is Buckinghamshire. “This is going to be quite a challenge, but it will be lots of fun for singers and instrumentalists”, says Leah Perona Wright, the course director.

Both the volunteer organist and "Let's make a musical" courses are two in a wide portfolio of RSCM residential courses for singers and organists of all ages and abilities, taking place in locations all over the UK.

The courses for volunteer organists – over two days in March and three days in June – are based at Sarum College in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in the shadow of the spire of the city’s cathedral. The course director is Robert Fielding, and tutors include Daniel Cook, Rosemary Field, and Daniel Moult. Practical help, advice and coaching is given for all abilities, including use of stops (including the diapasons), pedals, improvisation and even the inner mechanical workings of the instrument.

One participant has found a similar previous course invaluable, "I cannot overstate the fantastic usefulness and fun of this course." Other courses for organists include a four-day residential course in the Easter holiday week in Salisbury, and a six-day course using several church organs within the City of London and directed by Anne Marsden-Thomas.

Meanwhile, Dunblane, Whitby, Bath and Knighton in Powys are among the locations for singing courses for youngsters and adults. In October, a new course combining arts and crafts activities with singing is being held for young people in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. "This is a new course," says Esther Jones, its director. "Amongst other things there’s a chance to write and perform your own songs mixed with creating something visual! And, there’s the chance to make new friends," she said.

Further details about all courses can be found on the RSCM courses page where brochures can be downloaded in pdf format.

Notes for Editors

The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) is an educational charity and promotes the best use of music in worship,
church life, and the wider community. The RSCM also publishes music and training resources, and organises courses,
short workshops and activities. With over 8,500 affiliates, members and friends in over 40 countries it is an
international network, supported by over 750 volunteers and small team of staff based throughout the UK.

We will be pleased to arrange for a reporter and /or photographer to visit an RSCM course.

PDFs of RSCM news releases are generally available here (go to "News Releases").

Photographs for media use are available from the Media & Picture Gallery (go to "RSCM picture gallery").

For further enquiries contact:
Stuart Robinson:
RSCM Media Relations Organiser
srobinson@rscm.com
T: 01492 556378 / 07831 827701

or

Heather Bamber
RSCM Marketing & Communications Administrator
E: hbamber@rscm.com
T: 01722 424847 or 07786 331364

31/01/07