Looking at the extremely healthy level of bookings for events in the first few months of this year, it seems like a good time to remind everyone to act sooner rather than later if you do see an event which interests you.

This term’s RCO St Giles classes have proved particularly popular. Nine of the ten classes between January and March are already fully subscribed, with three (‘Bach’s Leipzig Chorales’, ‘Edwardian England’ and ‘Extend a Hymn’) attracting more than double the number of students which can be accommodated in a single class.

In some cases we are able to run events a second time to accommodate demand, but this is not always possible. So please keep an eye out for forthcoming events (at www.rco.org.uk or in RCO News for example) and then, as they say, ‘book early to avoid disappointment!’.

Having just put the finishing touches to everything, we are pleased to be able to announce a fantastic spring programme of classes from the RCO St Giles Organ School.

Details of ten new classes from January to March 2012 are now available to view on the RCO St Giles Organ School page of the website (with booking forms on our downloads page).

We’re delighted by just how wide the range of topics is: everything from technique (such as Accompanying a Soloist ) and practical skills (Extend a Hymn) to a wonderful breadth of repertoire (Edwardian England, New Music for a New Year and Rhosymedre to mention but three).

Whether or not you’ve ever joined an RCO event or class before, do take a look – we hope that in a programme this broad there will be something for almost everyone.

It’s been fantastic to hear from so many of the young musicians who joined us in Oxford for The Organ Scholar Experience (TOSE) event this summer.

TOSE 2011

The course is held every year for organists, typically aged 15 to 19 years but frequently younger and older, who are preparing for or considering organ scholarships at universities, cathedrals and churches.

Alongside the RCO St Giles Summer School, TOSE represents a major part of our summer activity.

And, as with the Summer School (see here), we’re delighted to say the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from the students – some of who travelled from as far as Germany, Italy and even Australia for the five day event.

“It was incredible how much we fitted into 5 days!”

“I learned so much, and really want to rise to the challenge of pursuing an Oxbridge Organ scholarship.”

“Congratulations for the many activities supported by the RCO for young organists: I think young students find these activities better and better each year!”

Remember, if you are considering an organ scholarship at some point in the future, TOSE will run again in August 2012, this time in Cambridge.

We’ve just been going through the feedback from the RCO St Giles Summer Course 2011, and we’re delighted to see that the students appear to have enjoyed it as much as we did!

The Summer Course 2011 is a unique event in the organ calendar, attracting approximately 70 students to the City of London every August for an intensive week of lessons, practice, classes, workshops, lectures, visits, concerts, services and socialising.

This year there were six masterclass levels, covering beginners through to diploma holders, and every student had a unique timetable based on their stated preferences, standard and ambitions.

We’ve always described the Summer Course as the big event with the personal touch, and I think these comments show that still sums it up:

“An exhilarating and informative week.”

 “This has been a wonderful opportunity to have lessons with experienced and inspirational teachers.  I have really enjoyed the spirit of collective enthusiasm.”

 “A great privilege to experience such a variety of instruments.”

 “This was the most amazing and exciting week of music, fun, education, Christian faith and fellowship.  Everything is individualised but covered from basic/advanced technique, practice advice, how to read complex scores, music theory, aural testing, how to listen and analyse music, plus unbelievable performance by teachers in professional recitals.”

 “Thank you for the most wonderful time I had on the organ course this summer. I’m still pretty much lost for words to express how much fun it was and how much I have learned and the confidence I have gained as well.”