If you are reading this, then you have reached iRCO, an innovative virtual campus from the Royal College of Organists, designed to provide easy access to learning, research and general information for organists and choral directors.

The RCO received more than 900 responses to its 2015 survey, providing a unique insight into the musical life of organists and choral directors. The importance of the organ and choral music in religious worship was strongly emphasised throughout the responses.

Famously prickly, irascible, caring and encouraging, Dr Bernard Rose was a one-off, and for over five decades a living legend in the UK’s choirmaster world.

Part of the examination for the RCO Choral Directing Diploma is to rehearse a choice of choral pieces from a set list.

This Spotify playlist is a personal selection of performances of this repertoire, made by the iRCO Editor.

A dairy door in a 17th-century house in Wetheringsett, Suffolk, and a piece of decaying timber found behind old pews and lumber in the churchyard shed at Wingfield, Suffolk, have transformed our knowledge and understanding of the pre-Reformation English organ.

This article and free download includes detailed descriptions and specifications of the Wetheringsett and Wingfield Organs, along with a look at the culture of the English church before the Reformation, including the use of the organ and its music within the liturgy.

This video, written and presented by Andrew Cantrill, is an introduction to the pipe organ for those less familiar with the instrument.  Andrew demonstrates the sounds of the organ, how the instrument is constructed, and how it is played.  You can learn more by downloading the reading list.

The ability to sight-read is enormously useful, but many teachers find it difficult to include in their lessons. This download from the RCO Academy aims to help teach this subject by suggesting resources, preparation techniques, and how to overcome students’ resistance to sight reading.

Composers of the French organ school of the Classical period were meticulous in writing out types of registration. Alexei Panov discusses evidence for the exact composition of Grand Jeu and Plein Jeu registrations, in the light of writings of the time.

Competition law prevents trade associations and organisations from recommending rates for musicians’ freelance work.

However, there are a number of resources available to help those considering fees for employed organists and directors of music, and these may include some useful background information on some of the issues to consider.