If, like many organists, you are already leading a choir, but feel diffident about your conducting technique, then join an exceptional RCO choir training workshop coming up in November.  David Hill, one of the country’s leading choral trainers, will be directing a day workshop on choral conducting on Saturday 2nd November, in St Mary’s Church in Newark. Experienced choral conductors will have the opportunity to take their conducting skills to the next level, and there are plenty of places for observers.

Anne Page discusses fingering and pedalling systems for the music of England, the Netherlands, and Northern Germany in the early Baroque, a period when major stylistic developments were taking place.

This is the fifth video in Daniel Moult’s series on playing styles, and discusses the performance of the organ music of French Romanticism, from Franck to Widor.

Ann Elise Smoot introduces a series of eight films showing what to consider and what to prepare when applying for an organ scholarship, whether at a university, a cathedral, or parish church. A comprehensive reading list is included with the series.

Ann Elise Smoot discusses the benefits of an organ scholarship with former organ scholars, and asks current Directors of Music what is expected of organ scholars in terms of duties and responsibilities.

Mark Williams and Ann Elise Smoot suggest ways to improve your keyboard skills in preparation for applying for an organ scholarship.  A reading list with further resources is included.

Richard Pinel and Ann Elise Smoot explain how to create and manage registration schemes on the organ, whether by hand or using divisional pistons, with a focus on choral accompaniment.

Ann Elise Smoot and Matthew Martin discuss improvisation, a skill all organ scholars will have to use at some point.  They suggest how you can develop confidence in two important areas: creating processional music, and hymn extensions.

Organ scholar trials usually include some aural tests, and Anna Lapwood talks through the aural tests for Cambridge organ scholarships, so you can see what type of skills are expected.