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.
Our popular course for organists of 'all ages and stages'. Full details and online booking are available through the Summer Course website, https://conference.rco.org.uk/. Click here to go the website. Read on for outline information about the course.
Directed by Drew Cantrill-Fenwick, the RCO's famous Summer Course is an unmissable week for many organists, whether beginner, early stage, intermediate or advanced; whether or not preparing for grade or diploma examinations or auditions; and whether a church organist or leisure player. We welcome all ages though under 18s must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
The course runs from c. 13:00 on Monday 29 July and ends c. 12:00 on Saturday 3 August. It is based at St Giles Cripplegate Church in London's Barbican with its three pipe organs, and additionally uses a further 20+ pipe organs across Central London. We do not provide accommodation but instead make suggestions to explore. Course members often find that there are several other organists staying in the same accommodation.
Daily tuition pattern (Tuesday - Friday)
09:15–11:15 Organ Studios - tuition in graded groups from the same teacher in the same venue (as far as possible) each day. Here is the Studio programme for 2024. ABRSM grades and RCO Diplomas are given as an indication of level. You do not have to have taken or be preparing for one of these examinations in order to participate.
You will be asked to prepare repertoire either from the relevant examination list(s) or of equivalent standard on the following themes (except for Fundamentals of Technique which has its own programme):
Click here to see the repertoire lists for ABRSM grades. Click here to see the repertoire for the CRCO diploma; here for ARCO; and here for FRCO. Click here to read profiles of the teachers (scroll to find entries).
11:45–13:00 Skills Classes - choose from keyboard musicianship, improvisation, or church music skills, with tuition in graded groups for each. Here is the 2024 Skills programme.
14:00–16:00 Workshops - teacher-led sessions with a different topic each day - or individual lessons and practice. Workshop topics for 2024 are: The Art of Registration; Choral Directing; Plainchant Accompaniment; and Performance Anxiety.
16:30-18:00 Daily service played and sung by course participants, or individual lessons and practice. Repertoire for the services will be notified when booking opens. Participation in the services is optional.
20:00-21:00 Student concerts - your chance to perform to fellow course members, if you wish.
There are special programmes for the first and last days, Monday and Saturday.
Tuition fees for the 2024 Summer Course (particpants must book their own accommodation and pay for their own meals)
RCO member booking before 31 March £615
Non-member booking before 31 March £672
RCO booking from 1 April £645
Non-member booking from 1 April £725.
Click here to read about the benefits of RCO membership (which is open to anyone irrespective of level of playing or age) and to join online.
Comments from the 2023 course participants
Click here to email events [@] rco.org.uk with any questions.
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)