Membership

Membership of the Royal College of Organists is open to anyone who takes an interest in organ and choral music and the related arts, whether you play the organ, direct a choir, or just enjoy the music.

Our Members work with us to promote the best in organ playing and choral directing, and to encourage anyone who is interested to learn more about this fascinating and versatile musical instrument, and explore its history and repertoire. Education and outreach are both high on our list of priorities, demonstrating that the College is not only an association of all the great names in the organ world, but also a lively, dynamic organisation committed to involvement at all levels of music making. This page will give you further details about Membership, or you can click directly on the link on the left where you can apply online.

Benefits of Membership

Apart from the general benefits of belonging to an organisation of like-minded people, and free access to the Members Area of the website, the College offers various specific benefits to its Members:

Publications

All Members of the College receive free copies of our regular publications. These include RCO News (a termly newsletter with features, details of forthcoming events and courses, publicity for Member recitals up and down the country, and general news and views); the annual RCO Journal, which features articles and reviews about organ and choral repertoire, topics concerning performance practice and interpretation, and organ and choral pedagogy; and the Examination Regulations (full details of all our highly regarded certificate and diploma examinations). From time to time other publications are produced which are also mailed free to the Membership, and our electronic news bulletin Notae Breves is e-mailed to members each month.

Examinations and Training

Anyone wishing to enter for College examinations must first become a Member. Members preparing for examinations will also be able to benefit from the College’s various training courses. > Click here to go to the Examinations area of this site, where full details of the various examination syllabuses will be found, and > click here for access to the Education and Outreach area of this site.

Website Access

All members of the College have access to the members' area of this website. This provides them with access to a range of member-only information, including past examination papers, a directory of other members, and photographs of College events. In addition, members are able to publicise their own recitals and musical events through the site.

Scholarships and Awards

The College has a number of scholarships and awards which have been instituted as a result of the generosity of private individuals. These are available to support student in serious organ study, and in particular study devoted to the attainment of the College's diplomas. Please > click here for more information.

Discounts

As well as offering concessionary rates to Members attending any of our courses, study days and seminars, discounts are also negotiated on behalf of members for a variety of organ and choral concerts and festivals. Members are kept up to date with these special offers through RCO News and regular e-mail bulletins.

Library

The extensive College library contains organ and choral music, books on music, music journals, recordings (CDs, tapes, LPs and 78s), archival material, and much more. This resource is available to members by appointment and through postal borrowing. Full details of the library can be found > here .

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