Sir Andrew Parmley, Chief Executive of the RCO, describes how Richard Limpus’ vision in 1860 of a college to raise the professional standing of the organist has been fulfilled today, in ways that he never could have imagined. 

John Scott Whiteley discusses the playing of ornaments in Bach, with a performance of Erbarm dich mein, O Herr Gott, BWV 721, on the organ of the Wenzelskirche, Naumburg.

What are organ pistons for?  Anne Marsden Thomas explains their operation, how to set them up, and how a memory system and stepper can be used on a modern organ.

RCO Director Andrew Macintosh gives a guided tour of the National Pipe Organ Register (NPOR), an online database of over 36,000 pipe organs in the UK.

Anne Page gives an introduction to Messiaen’s musical language and religious beliefs, illustrated with excerpts from a live performance.

Pam Hulme introduces live looping as part of the organists’ toolkit, in a film recorded on the organ of the Pfingstkirche, Berlin.

Andrew Cantrill-Fenwick introduces the keyboard skills which are elements of the RCO’s practical examinations – transposition, sight reading, score reading, harmonisation, and figured bass.

Graham Barber performs and discusses the organ music of organist and composer Francis Jackson, born in 1917.

RCO Director Andrew Macintosh explores the resources that are available online for organists and choral directors, on the RCO’s virtual campus, iRCO.