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.
Directed by Daniel Moult, The Organ Student Experience (TOSE) is the course for ambitious teenage organists (grade 7 standard and above) looking for expert, supportive tuition across the range of skills young organists need to develop.
10.5.23: A recent cancellation means there is one place currently available after which the course will be fully booked. Click here - events@rco.org.uk - to send an email to be added to the waiting list if the place has been booked.
Public recitals during the Course - admission free/retiring collection
Tuesday 25 July,19.30–c. 20.45, Keble College Chapel, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PG: Martin Schmeding (Chair of Artistic Organ Playing at the University of Music and Theatre Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Leipzig) plays music by Bach, Mendelssohn, Messiaen, Nishimuar, Reger and Reubke. Click here for the full programme.
Friday 28 July, 13.15–14.00, Magdalen College Chapel, High Street, OX1 4AU, Charles Francis (winner of the IAO/RCO Organ Playing Competition 2022) plays music by Bach, Dupré, Liszt and Roger-Ducasse. Click here for the full programme.
Comments from students on the 2022 TOSE course
• Brilliant experience in an inspiring setting. Encouraging advice from professional musicians.
• A really phenomenal course. I think my playing has improved just from this - more to think about, more to work on and I've been exposed to many pieces and techniques I wasn't aware of before
• A truly amazing week - I received invaluable advice and tuition and met some great people. The whole experience was one of the highlights of my musical life.
• Everything was well-organised and there was a lot of personalised feedback in the sessions.
More about the course
Whether you are applying for or considering a university organ scholarship, entry to a conservatoire, taking up a gap-year organ scholarship, or simply looking to develop your musicianship, this is the course for you. Just be sure to be of grade 7 level or higher by the time the course takes place (you don't have to have taken the exam).
Under the artistic direction of Daniel Moult, you will receive detailed tuition in repertoire playing, performance skills, technique, keyboard skills, choral directing and choral accompaniment.
We are based at St Edmund Hall, Oxford situated in the centre of Oxford just off the High Street.
Book early to guarantee a place and to secure the early bird rate which is available until 28 February.
We welcome applications for bursaries (see below for details and apply by 1 May at the latest). Scroll down to the bottom of the page to book on line.
Key features
• expert and inspiring teaching team with huge combined experience of music making and teaching at the highest level
• receive tuition on many of the superb organs in Oxford
• sing, direct and accompany choral music in our supportive classes and in choral evensongs in Oxford University college chapels
• gain insights into university and conservatoire organ auditions
• attend concerts by Professor Martin Schmeding, one of our teachers, and Charles Francis, winner of the IAO/RCO Organ Playing Competition 2022
• make lasting friendships and forge vital connections both in classes and in the lively social programme
• bursaries available from the RCO to help with the cost of the fees
• accommodation in single rooms included in the fees together with all meals
• supervision from experienced pastoral staff
• click here to download the 2022 course timetable to get a flavour of what to expect
Teachers
• Daniel Moult, TOSE Artistic Director and head of the highly acclaimed organ department at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Based in London, Daniel is one of the UK’s most celebrated organists, and is hugely in demand as a concert organist and organ teacher, with many recordings to his name.
• Sarah Baldock, Director of Music at Winchester College. A stellar and highly experienced musician, with a rich background in cathedral music, and a superb teacher. Sarah was a highly popular tutor on TOSE a few years ago.
• Tom Bell, Performer and recording artist with an international reputation, renowned for his commitment to contemporary music, he is also Director of the RCO's Northern region.
• Ben Bloor, Organist of The London Oratory and Westminster School, Ben makes his TOSE tutorial debut with us. He is a star of his generation, equally gifted as a teacher and performer. Ben has also developed a keen and fresh approach to organ performance on various social media channels.
• Gerard Brooks, Director of Music at Central Hall Westminster, and one of the most high-profile UK organists. Gerard has a highly impressive list of professional achievements, including a large discography and recent presidency of the RCO.
• Tansy Castledine, Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral, is an extremely accomplished choral director. She leads courses worldwide, training the next generation of choral directors, to much acclaim. We are delighted to welcome Tansy back to TOSE.
• Andrew Cantrill-Fenwick, recitalist, conductor, teacher and scholar who has held major church music appointments across three continents, Drew is committed to helping young musicians realise their potential.
• Martin Schmeding, one of the world's most distinguished concert organists and teachers, makes his TOSE debut! Martin is a professor of organ at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater, Leipzig, as well as maintaining a busy international concert and teaching schedule.
• Simon Williams, Director for RCO East, South and South West and, until recently, Organist & Director of Music at St George’s Church, Hanover Square, the parish church of London's Mayfair district. Simon has wide experience in organising and teaching on courses for younger organists.
Fees
Fees include tuition, accommodation and breakfast, lunch and dinner from lunch on Tuesday 25 July to luncn on Sunday 30 July. The first figure given is for RCO Student Members; the second for non-Members. Click here to join the RCO now and save most of the membership fee on the discount rate for RCO Student Members.
• Early-bird rates (available till 28 February): £710/£750
• Booking from 1 March: £750/£790
• Whether you book before or after 28 February you can pay the deposit of £75.00 with the balance of fees becoming due by 1 May
If applying for a bursary please book your course place paying the deposit only, and complete and return the bursary application form as soon as possible and before 1 May.
Click here to download the bursary application form.
Click here to email us with any questions
Join the RCO
Student Membership costs £56 year (£28 for students of RCO Accredited Teachers or if studying at an RCO Accredited Institution). If you are not already a member, why not join now and save most of the cost by getting the RCO Member attendance rate? Click here for further information and to join online.
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)