Examinations | Regulations
The College offers five qualifications. Brief descriptors for the examinations are given below, with a link at the end of each paragraph to enable you do download a copy of the current regulations for that examination. For all information about examinations from July (Summer) 2008 to January (winter) 2009, including revisions to the Certificate examination, >click here. Alternatively, you can contact the College to request Examination Regulations by post. > Click here for contact details.
Certificate (CertRCO)
The award of the Certificate indicates a standard of reliable and confident musicianship in public performance. It also indicates confidence in basic keyboard skills, most of which are invaluable in a liturgical context, and proficiency in those aural and written skills (fundamental musical grammar and knowledge of repertoire) which support practical musicianship. The Certificate is aimed at the amateur player with some experience of playing in public and at the developing student. > Certificate
From Summer 2008 there will be new regulations for the Certificate examination (CertRCO). > Click here for the new regulations and read all about the revised qualification in the October 2007 issue of RCO News (>click here). The first examination will be offered from Summer 2008, the application deadline for which is Friday 28 March 2008.
Members who hold a valid exemption from the organ playing component of the Practical Examination and who wish to re-take the Keyboard Skills and the Written Paper in Summer 2008 or beyond will be required to sit these modules under the new regulations (2008).
It should be noted that the previously published set works for the Written Paper (Question 3) for 2008-09 (Mozart) are cancelled in favour of the works set for this question in the new regulations (Bach, Vierne).
Specimen Written and Keyboard Skills papers for the revised regulations are available in the Past Examination Papers section of this site > click here.
Associateship Diploma (ARCO)
Associateship of the College indicates a standard of professional competency in organ playing technique, essential keyboard skills and interpretative understanding. It also indicates accuracy in aural perception and fluency in those written disciplines (standard stylistic techniques and analysis of performance and historical issues in relation to organ repertoire) which support practical musicianship.> Associateship
Fellowship Diploma (FRCO)
Fellowship of the College indicates a standard of professional expertise in organ playing technique, advanced keyboard skills, and interpretative understanding, which at this level will be stylistically well informed. It also indicates accuracy and imagination in aural perception, and accomplishment in those written disciplines (advanced stylistic techniques and analysis of performance and historical issues in relation to organ repertoire and its broader musical context) which support practical musicianship. > Fellowship
Choral Directing Diploma (DipCHD)
The award of the Diploma in Choral Directing indicates a standard of professional expertise in choral conducting technique, rehearsal and interpretation. It also indicates accomplishment in those written disciplines (advanced stylistic techniques and extended choral arrangement) which support practical musicianship, as well as an extensive knowledge of the choral repertoire, and a thorough understanding of vocal and choral technique, and of the administrative and psychological management of singers and choirs. > Choral Directing Diploma
Licentiateship in Teaching (LTRCO)
Licentiateship of the College indicates a standard of professional expertise in teaching the organ to students at elementary, intermediate and more advanced levels. It indicates a reflective and methodical approach to the practice of teaching, and shows clarity of purpose in the setting of study objectives, the planning of lessons, the development of technique and the encouragement of musicality. An understanding of student needs, aspirations and learning patterns will be demonstrated, as will competence in those administrative skills needed to organise a teaching practice. > Licentiateship
Examination Criteria
For the criteria used by examiners >click here
Academic Dress, Presentation and Prizes
For details of academic dress, diploma presentation and examination prizes >click here
Publishers
For a list of publishers of prescribed music > click here
Examination Regulations 2008-2009
> Click here for the complete Examination Regulations July 2008 to January 2009.
It may be noted that new repertoire has been set for the DipCHD examination (October 2007) and that the number of options in ARCO Written Paper II Question 1 (Two-part Counterpoint) has now been reduced to two: either Renaissance vocal or eighteenth-century keyboard.