Current RCO classes are listed below. All players are welcome, regardless of age or aspiration: you don’t have to be a member of the RCO, or be having lessons with an RCO accredited teacher, to attend one of these classes.
Most sessions are limited to 6 active participants to maximise hands-on tuition; when a class is full we may sometimes take observers, hold a waiting list or run a second event (either the same day or at a later date), depending on circumstances. Observers pay a greatly reduced fee: click on the Book Online button for the relevant class to see what this is.
Scheduled classes can be booked online by following the Book Online links beneath each event. Anyone not wanting to book online should telephone our Bookings Department on 05603 488231.
If you have a question about these classes, please e-mail the College at courses@rco.org.uk
Please note times (the 24-hour clock is used).
Don't miss this chance to play one of the finest organs in UK whilst at the same time gaining tips from RCO Accredited Teacher Julian Haggett for taking your performance of Baroque music to the next level. Only six playing places are available so book now to avoid disappointment! Observer places are now available. Playing places are fully booked. Click here to email (events [@] rco.org.uk) to be added to the waiting list.
What to prepare
With six playing places available, each person will have c. 25 minutes of console time. Prepare one longer or two contrasting shorter pieces of Baroque organ music.
Click here for information about Julian Haggett.
Click here for information about the Metzler organ in the chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge.
Trinity College is situated in the heart of the historic city centre and is one of the grandest of all Cambridge's colleges. Why not combine this class with an exploration of the many riches the city has to offer - museums, galleries, services of choral evensong, bookshops...
Fee: RCO Member (player) £74; Non-member (player) £88; RCO Member (observer) £27; Non-member (observer) £32.
In this series of ten classes spread over three years, acclaimed performer, teacher and scholar Richard Brasier will explore the various stylistic and historical issues associated with performing European organ repertoire. In addition to learning about the historical background, students will engage with period practices and present repertoire of their choice. Observer places are available.
Venues have been carefully chosen for the suitability of their organs. You can can book for as many or as few classes as you wish as they become available on this website. These classes are ideal for those preparing for performance-based exams and for anyone who simply wishes to improve their knowledge.
Five places for players are available. Once four of these have been booked four observer places will be made available. Those booking as players will have 30 minutes each at the console. They should prepare repertoire relevant to the class—we suggest one longer piece or two contrasting shorter pieces with a total playing time of 7–8 minutes. Richard Brasier will also bring excerpts of pieces for players to try.
Class 1. The French Classical Organ School—select composers
(you may prepare music by composers not listed here)
Nicolas Gigault (c. 1627–1707)
Nicolas-Antoine Lebègue (1631–1702)
Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers (1632–1714)
André Raison (c. 1640–1719)
Jacques Boyvin (c. 1650–1706)
Pierre Dandrieu (c. 1660–1733)
François Couperin (1668–1733)
Louis Marchand (1669–1732)
Gaspard Corrette (1671–before 1733)
Nicolas de Grigny (1672–1703)
Pierre Dumage (1674–1751)
Jean-Adam Guilain (c. 1675/80 –after 1739)
Louis-Nicolas Clérambault (1676–1749)
Jean-François Dandrieu (c. 1682–1738)
Louis-Claude Daquin (1694–1772)
The Venue
St Marylebone Church is easily reached by public transport. The 1987 three-manual mechanical action organ by Rieger Orgelbau has all the colour needed to play French Classical organ music convincingly. Click here for the specification.
Other classes in the series
2. English organ music to c.1750 - 13 June, 11:00-14:00, St Botolph Aldgate, London EC3N 1AB
3. Italian organ music to Frescobaldi
4. Catholic Germany and Austria
5. The North German organ school
6. The organ music of J.S. Bach
7. Classical organ music
8. German organ music after 1800
9. French and Belgian organ music after 1800
10. British organ music after 1800
Fee: Playing places: RCO members £85; non-members £98. Observer places: RCO members £45; non-members £50
A class for a maximum of six players exploring the rich field of German Romantic organ music from Mendlessohn to Brahms. Observer places will be added once four playing places have been booked.
What to prepare
Each player will have 25 minutes of time at the console. We suggest that you prepare up c. 6 minutes of music. This could be one piece (or extract from a longer piece) or two shorter pieces (by the same or different composers).
Composers to consider
Rinck, Mendelssohn, Merkel, Schumann, Ritter, Brahms, Dienel, Rheinberger, Liszt, Reubke. This list is not exhaustive!
The venue
St Giles Cripplegate Church is conveniently situated off Fore Street close to Barbican and Moorgate Stations and is easily reached by public transport.
The organs
St Giles is home to three pipe organs. We shall use the Grand, west-gallery organ. Scroll down this page to find the specifications.
Fee: RCO Member (player) £74; Non-member (player) £88;
In this series of ten classes spread over three years, acclaimed performer, teacher and scholar Richard Brasier will explore the various stylistic and historical issues associated with performing European organ repertoire. In addition to learning about the historical background, students will engage with period practices and present repertoire of their choice.
Venues have been carefully chosen for the suitability of their organs. You can can book for as many or as few classes as you wish as they become available on this website. These classes are ideal for those preparing for performance-based exams and for anyone who simply wishes to improve their knowledge.
Five places for players are available. Once four of these have been booked four observer places will be made available. Those booking as players will have 30 minutes each at the console. They should prepare repertoire relevant to the class—we suggest one longer piece or two contrasting shorter pieces with a total playing time of 7–8 minutes. Richard Brasier will also bring excerpts of pieces for players to try.
Class 2. English organ music to c.1750—select composers
(you may prepare music by composers not listed here)
Music from the Robertsbridge Codex
John Redford
Thomas Preston
Thomas Tallis
William Byrd
John Bull
Orlando Gibbons
Thomas Tomkins
Christopher Gibbons
Matthew Locke
John Blow
Henry Purcell
William Croft
John Reading
Thomas Roseingrave
Maurice Greene
John James
George Frideric Handel
John Stanley
William Boyce
William Walond
James Nares
Thomas Arne
John Keeble
The Venue
St Botolph-without-Aldgate in the City of London is easily accessed by public transport and houses arguably the oldest surviving church organ in England dating from around 1704 and restored in 2005 to as close as possible to its original state. Click here for the specification.
Other classes in the series
1. The French Classical Organ School, 28 February 2026, St Marylebone Church, London NW1 5LT - click here for information
3. Italian organ music to Frescobaldi
4. Catholic Germany and Austria
5. The North German organ school
6. The organ music of J.S. Bach
7. Classical organ music
8. German organ music after 1800
9. French and Belgian organ music after 1800
10. British organ music after 1800
Fee: Playing places: RCO members £85; £98 non-members
All prices quoted are inclusive of VAT @ 20%