Madeline Smith returns from the American Guild of Organists’ National Convention in Missouri with a sense of great optimism for the future of our instrument.

A survey of young organists in 2024 was concerned to establish what matters to them most when starting to play the instrument, and when considering taking it up as a career. A report by Anna Steppler on the findings can be downloaded here.

A Yorkshire organist is preparing to walk over 100 miles across the county, while giving a series of organ recitals, in order to support the next generation of young singers at Leeds Minster.

The College’s bi-annual magazine for members contains features, details of forthcoming events and courses, and general news and views from the RCO.

The RCO recognises the success of a unique yearly event: Bachhaus, a day workshop on the music of Bach based around a fine 1994 William Drake house organ in Hertfordshire.

Joseph Jacob was born in Uyo, in southern Nigeria, and is currently on a Masters degree course at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. His studies are being funded by various foundations, including the RCO.  We asked him to describe his early training as a musician in his home country, and what he hopes to achieve as an organist in the future.

You can watch the College’s 2026 Conferment of Diplomas Ceremony here in full, or as edited highlights, and listen to the Ede & Ravenscroft recital given by international concert organist Katelyn Emerson.

A gallery of pictures from the College’s annual Conferment Ceremony at Southwark Cathedral on Saturday 7 March, at which RCO President Sarah MacDonald presented successful examination candidates with their awards and diplomas, and also presented three RCO Medals.

John Henderson’s prize-winning print edition of the Directory of Composers for Organ is now available as a mobile app to download for both Apple and Android devices.