Royal College of Organists
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Formation | 1864 |
---|---|
Founder | Richard Limpus |
Type | Charity incorporated by Royal Charter |
Headquarters | 118 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5ED |
Membership (2020) | 2,008 |
Chief Executive | Sir Andrew Parmley |
Website | rco |
Formerly called | College of Organists |
The Royal College of Organists (RCO) is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, with members worldwide. Its role is to promote and advance organ playing and choral music, and it offers music education, training and development, and professional support for organists and choral directors.
The college also provides accreditation in organ playing, choral directing and organ teaching; it runs an extensive education and outreach programme across the UK; and it maintains an internationally important library containing more than 60,000 titles concerning the organ, organ and choral music and organ playing.
History
The RCO was founded as the College of Organists in 1864 by
In 2003 plans were announced for more permanent purpose-built premises around the Grade I listed former
In 2014 the college celebrated its 150th anniversary with a year-long programme of events including recitals, conferences, music festivals, courses and publications. In 2020 the RCO announced that Saturday 18 April would be its inaugural National Organ Day.
First members
The first members of the College of Organists were:[1]
- G.B. Arnold, New College, Oxford
- W.H. Adams, St Martin-in-the-Fields
- T.G. Baines, organist at St Margaret's, Westminster
- J. Blockley, St Mark's Regents Park
- A.S. Cooper
- W.B. Gilbert, Mus. B. Oxon, All Saints Church, Maidstone
- A.W. Hammond, Hon. Treasurer and proprietor and editor of the Musical Standard
- Edward Herbert, Mus. B., Oxon, Sherborne Abbey
- James Higgs
- Edward John Hopkins
- Charles Kelly, All Souls Church, Langham Place
- F. Kingsbury
- Richard Limpus, Honorary secretary
- William Henry Longhurst
- E. M. Lott, St Peter's, Notting Hill
- Dr. Marshall, St John's Church, Kidderminster
- Edwin George Monk
- Ebenezer Prout
- W. Spark, Leeds Town Hall
- Charles Steggall
- Charles Edward Stephens
- Joseph Surman, Exeter Hall
- W.J. Westbrook, St Bartholomew's, Sydenham
Edmund Hart Turpin, was made a fellow of the Royal College of Organist without examination in 1869, and became a member shortly afterwards. From 1875 he succeeded Richard Limpus as honorary secretary of the Royal College of Organists.[2]
Learning and outreach
Through the RCO Academy programme the college provides training and learning support for organists and choral directors, from students and amateur musicians to professionals.
The college's learning services includes: a programme of classes, workshops and courses throughout the UK and abroad; online support through the iRCO learning hub; and teaching via RCO-accredited teachers and institutions.
Exams
The college offers five diplomas. The Diploma of Colleague (CRCO) (formerly the Certificate, CertRCO) is a qualification for the intermediate organist and provides a foundation for developing organists and choral directors. The Associateship Diploma (ARCO) demonstrates high achievement in organ playing and supporting theoretical work. The Fellowship diploma (FRCO) offers a progression for those who already hold the ARCO and represents a premier standard in organ playing, which a cathedral organist would be expected to hold. The Choral Directing Diploma (Dip CHD) demonstrates achievement in choral conducting and related disciplines. The Licentiateship in Teaching (LTRCO) provides professional accreditation for organ teachers who already hold either the ARCO or FRCO.
In 2016 the college introduced an early-level certificate scheme called the RCO Certificate of Accredited Membership (CAM).
Library
The college's library, with in excess of 60,000 specialist holdings of organ and choral music and books, is housed at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire's Curzon Library and the Royal College of Music, London.