Your RCO event details can be found below.
Please note that the 24-hour clock is used on all event listings, with all times being GMT/BST. To book courses and classes, please follow the Book Online link wherever you see it, and email bookings@rco.org.uk or call 020 3865 6998 with any queries. Where events are free or not bookable online, please follow the instructions for that event.
Online booking for this course is now closed. Click here to email with any questions regarding late availability of places.
Public recitals during the Easter Course - admission free/retiring collection
Christopher Stembridge plays Frescobaldi
Taylor & Boody organ of Sidney Sussex College Chapel
Wednesday 5 April, 11:30-12:30
David Goode explores the RCO Diploma lists
King's College Chapel
Wednesday 5 April, 19:30-20:30
David Ponsford plays J S Bach, Clérambault and Du Mage
Trinity College Chapel
Thursday 6 April, 20:00-21:00
For full details of the programmes click here.
This much appreciated course offers comprehensive tuition for those preparing for or considering CRCO (the new name for CertRCO), ARCO or FRCO, and a Repertoire & Skills strand for those already playing to diploma standard.
You can attend as a resident or non-resident and special timetables can be devised for those preparing for specific parts of CRCO, ARCO or FRCO rather than the whole examination. Click here to send an email to discuss your requirements. Those staying over till 8 April may like to join the choir for the afternoon session of our Set Your Sights! day in which ambitious teenage organists practice the skills of choral conducting and accompaniment. We hope to be able to arrange individual practice time on various Cambridge organs for those who arrive on Tuesday 4 April and/or leave on Saturday 8th.
We welcome applications for bursaries in support of the tuition fees, which should be received by 1 February (see below). We regret that we cannot accept bookings from those aged under 18 at the start of the course.
Accommodation
We are resident at Sidney Sussex College, where a new organ by Flentrop has recently been installed to complement the exquisite chamber organ by
Taylor & Boody of 2013. In addition, tuition will take place on several other of Cambridge's varied collection of fine organs, including Trinity College. Accommodation is in single rooms. Standard rooms have a wash basin with shared toilet and bathroom facilities nearby.
Teachers
The first three teachers listed below will lead study of prescribed repertoire areas (see below) on the R&S strand, share their specialist knowledge for the
history and set works topics in the examination written papers, teach across the course and give recitals. The other teachers will teach across the examination preparation strands.
David Goode, Organist, Eton College and international recitalist
David Ponsford, author of an acclaimed book on French Classical organ music and engaged in recording much of this repertoire (ARCO
Historical Studies: France 1680-1760 and Set Works: Louis-Nicolas Clérambault, Premier Livre d’orgue (2 suites))
Christopher Stembridge, authority on the music of the Italian Renaissance and Early Baroque and currently engaged in editing the keyboard works of Frescobaldi for Bärenreiter (FRCO History of Organ Music set topic: Italy 1550-1660)
with
Sarah MacDonald, Director of Music, Selwyn College Cambridge and Director, Ely Cathedral Girls' Choir
Anne Page, international recitalist and teacher to Cambridge organ scholars
James Parsons, consultant to RCO Academy and organ tutor, Birmingham Conservatoire
Simon Williams, Director RCO East, South and South West region and Director of Music, St George's, Hanover Square
What to prepare
Examination preparation strands:
• Pieces from the lists in the examination regulations for July 2017–January 2018
• Examples of your work in preparation for the written paper(s) as appropriate
Repertoire & Skills strand (Italian repertoire amended 18.1.17)
• One Ricercar by Frescobaldi from Volume I.1 of the complete works edited by Christopher Stembridge (Bärenreiter). Please read the introductory material too which is also relevant to the performance of the toccatas and partitas! Also any other pieces by Frescobaldi. Participants are also encouraged to include music by Girolamo Cavazzoni (Vol 1 of Mischiati's edition published Schott or the Kalmus edition).
• A selection of contrasting pieces by composers of the French Classical School from 1660–1760 including Louis Couperin, Nivers, Lebegue, Raison, François Couperin, Boyvin, De Grigny, Clérambault.
• One or more movements from the Concerti by J.S. Bach BWV 592–596.
• Two or three of the shorter organ pieces by Max Reger from the collections opp 59, 65,69, 80, 129 and 145.
Bursaries
We welcome applications for bursaries towards the cost of the course fees. These should be received by the College by 1 February 2017. Click here
to go the Awards & Bursaries page.
Fees (all prices include VAT)
RCO Member (standard room with wash basin) £695
RCO Member (ensuite room) £745
RCO Member (non-resident, included lunch and dinner) £530
Non-member (standard room with wash basin) £725
Non-member (ensuite room) £775
Non-member (non-resident, included lunch and dinner) £560
You can also book extra nights Bed & Breakfast for Tuesday 4 and/or Friday 7 April at a cost of £58 (standard room)/£84 (en-suite room) per night.
Until 1 February you can pay a £50 deposit, the balance of fees becoming due immediately after this date.
If booking after 1 February the full fees are due immediately. Those intending to apply for a bursary should pay the deposit only. You will be informed shortly after 1 February as to the outcome.
Fee: RCO Member (standard room); £695 RCO Member (ensuite room); £745 RCO Member (non-resident); £530 Non-member (standard room); £715 Non-member (ensuite room); £775 Non-member (non-resident)
For RCO courses and classes, the following key is used as a guide to level and suitability:
Beginner (Grades 1-4)
Intermediate (Grades 4-6)
Advanced (Grades 6-8 / CRCO)
Diploma 1 (CRCO–ARCO)
Diploma 2 (ARCO–FRCO)