Help at hand for “'volunteer” organists struggling with diapasons

A series of courses for those who have been asked to 'fill in at their local church’ (and possibly find themselves still as organists months later) is just one event in the RSCM’s newly launched UK programme of choral and organ courses in 2OO7.

In addition, there's a brand new course for young people called “Let's make a musical” - a feat which has to be accomplished from scratch in four days during the Whitsun half-term break, at Stowe School is Buckinghamshire. “This is going to be quite a challenge, but it will be lots of fun for singers and instrumentalists”, says Leah Perona-Wright, the course director.

Both the volunteer organist and "Let's make a musical” courses are two in a wide portfolio of RSCM residential courses for singers and organists of all ages and abilities, taking place in locations all over the UK.  
           
The courses for volunteer organists over two days in March and three days in June are based at Sarum College in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in the shadow of the spire of the city’s cathedral. The course director is Robert Fielding, and tutors include Daniel Cook, Rosemary Field, and Daniel Moult. Practical help, advice and coaching are given for all abilities, including use of stops (including the diapasons), pedals, improvisation and even the inner mechanical workings of the instrument. One participant has found a similar previous course invaluable, “I cannot overstate the fantastic usefulness and fun of this course.”

Other courses for organists include a four-day residential course in the Easter holiday week in Salisbury, and a six-day course using several church organs within the City of London and directed by Anne Marsden Thomas.

Meanwhile, Dunblane, Whitby, Bath and Knighton in Powys are among the locations for singing courses for youngsters and adults. In October, a new course combining arts and crafts activities with singing is being held for young people in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. “This is a new course,” says Esther Jones, its director. “Amongst other things there’s a chance to write and perform your own songs mixed with creating something visual! And there’s the chance to make new friends,” she said.

Further details about all courses can be found on the RSCM website, where brochures can be downloaded in pdf format. 

Further enquiries can be sent to education@rscm.com, or telephone 01722 424848.