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.
This much appreciated annual course offers comprehensive tuition for those preparing for or considering CRCO, ARCO or FRCO. You can attend as a resident or non-resident; special timetables can be devised for those preparing for specific sections of CRCO, ARCO or FRCO rather than the whole examination. Click here to send an email to discuss your requirements. 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. Scroll to the bottom of the page to book online.
Unable to attend the course but want to hear organ music performed by international recitalists Gerard Brooks and Johannes Geffert on two of Oxford's most acclaimed organs? Then come to Merton College Chapel on Thursday 5 April and Keble College Chapel on Friday 6 April. Both concerts start at 20:00 and last for one hour with free admission/retiring collection. Click here and here for the full programmes.
Accommodation
We are resident at The Queen's College, home to the ground-breaking Frobenius organ of 1965. In addition, tuition will take place on several other of Oxford's varied collection of fine organs, including Keble and Merton Colleges where Johannes Geffert and Gerard Brooks will give public recitals. Accommodation is in single rooms––ensuite or standard at your choice. Standard rooms have a wash basin with shared toilet and bathroom facilities nearby.
Teachers
Johannes Geffert returns having taught to great acclaim on the Easter Course in Cambridge in 2015. He will teach across the course strands but will bring his specilaist knowledge of German Romantic organ music to the ARCO strand where the written paper history topic for 2018–2019 is Germany, 1850–1920 and the set works are the chorale preludes by Brahms. He will also play a recital on the Tickell organ at Keble College incorporating this repertoire. Click here to download the programme.
Gerard Brooks will also teach across the course and will bring his extensive knowledge of French Romantic organ music to the CRCO set works for 2018–2019, Vierne's 24 Pièces en style libre (book 1), and to the FRCO history topic France 1860–1940. He will also play a recital incorporating this repertoire on the Dobson organ of Merton College. Click here to download the programme.
David Ponsford will lead a seminar for FRCO students on de Grigny's Livre d-Orgue (set work July 2018-January 2019). He is an expert in French Classical organ music and has recently prepared a new edition of de Grigny's organ music.
Frederick Stocken brings wide experience of teaching harmony and counterpoint in general and the written papers of RCO Diploma examinations in particular, both to individuals and on courses.
James Parsons, formerly RCO Head of Student Development and organ tutor, Birmingham Conservatoire. Like Gerard Brooks, he has extensive experience as an RCO examiner.
Simon Williams, Director RCO East, South and South West region and Director of Music, St George's, Hanover Square. This will be the 20th Easter Course that he has directed.
What to prepare:
Pieces from the lists in the examination regulations for CRCO, ARCO and FRCO (work in progress is acceptable)
Examples of your work in preparation for the written paper(s) as appropriate
Bursaries
We welcome applications for bursaries towards the cost of the course fees. These should be received by the College by 1 February 2018. 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) £715
Non-member (ensuite room) £775
Non-member (non-resident, included lunch and dinner) £560
You can also book extra nights Bed & Breakfast for Wednesday 4 and/or Saturday 7 April at a cost of £75 (standard room)/£100 (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.
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)