Organs in Schools: creating the next generation of organ-players
Reports are coming in about the excitement and opportunities that are being generated by the RCO’s Organs in Schools scheme, and the ripple effect into local communities from making a digital organ available to young people.
The Organ Podcast from the RCO
The Royal College of Organists has launched a new podcast dedicated to the world of the organ, organists and organ music. Listen to all episodes here.
Playing Byrd: Re-imagining approaches to the performance of the keyboard music of William Byrd
This occasional research paper by Desmond Hunter reconsiders approaches to the performance of Byrd’s keyboard music based on a re-examination of the evidence in the sources, informed by the experience of playing and studying this music over many years. He also draws on research by other scholars and performers of Byrd’s keyboard music.
Conferment of Diplomas 2025 | watch in full or highlights
You can watch the College’s 2025 Conferment of Diplomas Ceremony here in full, or as edited highlights, and listen to the Ede & Ravenscroft recital given by Dr Isabelle Demers.
In pictures: Conferment 2025 at Southwark Cathedral
A gallery of pictures from the College’s annual Conferment Ceremony at Southwark Cathedral on Saturday 8 March, at which RCO President Sarah MacDonald presented successful examination candidates with their awards and diplomas, and also presented three RCO Medals.
Max Reger’s ‘Twelve Pieces’ – a new Urtext edition, edited by Martin Schmeding
Max Reger’s Twelve Pieces’ are some of his more accessible works for the organist. Martin Schmeding has edited a new Urtext edition, which includes an extensive essay on the performance of Reger’s organ works.
Organ-playing fun at the launch of Play the Organ Year
A celebratory concert by Gerard Brooks to mark the launch of Play the Organ Year 2025 concluded with an enthusiastic audience getting the chance to ‘have a go’ on the spectacular Hill organ in Methodist Central Hall in London.
BWV 565 explored: The Great Toccata from Fugue State Films
An exploration of the authorship of the Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV565, in an engaging set of documentary films and performances.
Surprising Stanford – the RCO Organ Forum marks his centenary year
The RCO Organ Forum in 2024 marked the centenary of Charles Villiers Stanford’s death with a day of discussion and performances at Trinity College, Cambridge, where Stanford spent much of his musical life.
RCO News January 2025
The College’s bi-annual magazine for members contains features, details of forthcoming events and courses, and general news and views from the RCO.
