The American Guild of Organists has published a free 30-lesson series of films designed to provide a thorough introductory course in organ-playing, and particularly to help pianists make the transition to the organ.

The Orgelbüchlein Project is a major international composition project to complete J S Bach’s Orgelbüchlein (Little Organ Book). The task for composers contributing to the Orgelbüchlein Project is this: if Bach were alive today, how might he go about writing a short chorale prelude in the Orgelbüchlein style?

This video, which is free to view for RCO member and guest users of iRCO alike, has been produced to help anyone preparing for, or considering taking, one of the Royal College of Organists’ diploma examinations.

Watch the College’s 2017 Conferment of Diplomas ceremony in full or as edited highlights.

Listen to the Ede & Ravenscroft Recital which closed the College’s 2017 Conferment of Diplomas ceremony, given by Ashley Grote, MA, FRCO (Master of Music, Norwich Cathedral), playing music by J. S. Bach, César Franck and Francis Jackson.

The RCO management team is required to pull together on Conferment day and perform some interesting tasks, outside our usual skillsets. First thing in the morning wicker baskets arrive full of assorted gowns and hoods, and the robing department has to make sure that everyone gets the correct gorgeous garments for the ceremony. We stuff the programmes with appropriate fliers and donation envelopes, and become ushers and usherettes as soon as the audience starts to arrive. And all in amongst the Royal College of Organists holds its Annual General Meeting…

Playing the organ can be quite tricky, says Raina D’Souza, though she hasn’t lost enthusiasm for the instrument, learning under the guidance of David Pipe, Director of the Organists’ Training Programme, launched in November last year by the Diocese of Leeds. The scheme now comprises students, both children and adults, in centres across Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield and Harrogate. Three of those students comment on their progress so far.

The thirty-first IOA London Organ Day was held on 4th March, under the direction of Tom Bell, featuring the stylus fantasticus of the early Baroque. The venue was the Dutch Church, in the City of London, with its Flentrop organ, perfect for this repertoire. The morning session included a masterclass on with Bine Bryndorf, who gave valuable practical insights into the performance of Bruhns and Buxtehude.

In the first of three films from RCO Organ Forum: The Organist Entertains, Richard Hills introduces us to the building and the history of its organ, and is joined by Simon Gledhill for a rank-by-rank demonstration.