Venues have been carefully chosen for the suitability of their organs. You 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 3. Italian Organ Music to Frescobaldi
This class will use the Royal Academy of Music's 1763 Italian organ housed at St Mark's Church Regent's Park. Please note that this organ has a single manual and no pedals. Click here for further infortmation and the specification. 

Suggested composers
Vincenzo Bellavere
Sperindio Bertoldo
Jacques Buus
Marc'Antonio Cavazzoni
Girolamo Cavazzoni
Giovanni de Macque
Girolamo Diruta
Giacomo Fogliano
Andrea Gabrieli
Giovanni Gabrieli
Luzzasco Luzzaschi
Ascanio Mayone
Claudio Merulo
Annibale Padovano
Girolamo Parabosco
Rocco Rodio
Giulio Segni
Antonio Valente
Claudio Veggio
Adrian Willaert
Girolamo Frescobaldi
Gaetano Greco
Tarquinio Merula
Pietro Domenico Paradisi
Bernardo Pasquini
Michelangelo Rossi
Giovanni Salvatore
Alessandro Scarlatti
Domenico Scarlatti
Bernardo Storace
Giovanni Maria Trabaci
Domenico Zipoli

The venue
Click here for travel information.

Other classes in the series
1. The French Classical Organ School, 28 February 2026
2. English organ music to c.1750, St Botolph's Aldgate, Saturday 13 June 2026. Click here for further information.
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

RCO members enjoy discounted rates for attending all RCO Academy classes, events and courses. Not yet a member? Join now and benfit from the lower price immediately. Click here to read about membership and to join online.

This study trip is aimed at organists of diploma level and provides an ideal professional development opportunity for professional players as well as enrichment for the serious amateur. Places are available for both players and observers. Players are asked to prepare repertoire in accordance with the titles of the classes. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Participants are responsible for making and paying for their own arrangements for travel and accommodation as well as meeting the cost of subsistence over the two days. 

Click here to download the full itinerary. 

Itinerary highlights
Class: J.S. Bach chorale preludes in context with Daniel Beilschmidt on the Trost organ of Altenburger Schloß
Study of Bach manuscripts and other documents at the Bach-Archiv with Peter Wollny
Classes: J.S. Bach and his predecessors and Bach's free organ works at the Thomaskirche with Johannes Lang on the Woehl 'Bach organ' 
Experience Sunday morning worship at the Thomaskirche
Class: - The Bach influence: Mendelssohn, Liszt, Reger etc. with Richard Brasier who devised and leads the trip on the Sauer organ of the Thomaskirche
Enjoy social time with those attending the tip

We welcome applications for bursaries to support attendance on RCO events and courses. Next deadlines 1 July and 1 October. Click here for further information.

Not an RCO member? Click here to join and benefit immediately from the discounted trip fees for members.

Click here to email with any questions [events @ rco.org.uk]

Guided by Simon Williams (Director, RCO East, South and South-West England) and Ann Elise Smoot (Director, Creative Oundle for Organists), you will gain confidence in registering and performing music of your choice on the organs of St Chad’s and St Philip’s Cathedrals. This packed study day will be capped off with a session on registering and playing hymns.

Who? Organists aged roughly 14-20, who are at Grade 6 level or above

When? 10 October 2026, 1030-1700. Registration from 1000.

Where? Birmingham: St Chad’s and St Philip’s Cathedrals. Details of where to meet will be sent in due course.

Cost: £50 (bursaries available)

You will need to bring a packed lunch, drinks and snacks with you, as the lunch break will be a short one and we will likely not have access to tea/coffee-making facilities.

Our tutors will guide you through a host of topics, including:

• How do we decide what stops to use?
• How do we change stops during a piece effectively and accurately, and how do we practise this?
• Why are some stop names in English and some in other languages, and what do they mean?
• How do we register hymns?
• How might we register music from other countries on an English instrument?
• How literal should we be in following a composer’s suggested registrations?

Click here to go to the online booking form (https://form.jotform.com/RRiley/pipes-and-pistons-2026-application-) 

Booking closes on Friday, 25 September

Click here to send an email [events @ rco.org.uk]

Please note the start and end times for this class: 15:00 - 18:00.

What to prepare
Take a look at the specification of the organ and then choose one longer or two shorter pieces of up to c. 6 minutes in duration. Click here to see the organ specification (scroll down to the entry for St Giles). Read more about the organ organ here .
Although one of the most historic organs in the country, this three-manual and pedal organ is very versatile, aided by beautifual vocing and sensitive mechanical action. Any music from any period will be suitable provided it does not require rapid and complicated registration changes (the organ has no playing aids). Note that both the Great and Choir divisions go down to low G beneath the usual 'bottom C', enabling the performance of pre-nineteenth-century English organ music requiring these low notes.

The teacher
Jonathan Bunney studied on a scholarship at the Royal College of Music. His teachers have included Anne Marsden Thomas, Nigel Stark, David Graham and Margaret Phillips. During his time at the RCM he won all the major prizes for organ. In 2004 Jonathan became Director of Music at St. Giles-in-the-Fields and in 2008 he returned to the RCM to study for a Masters in Advanced Performance, achieving a distinction. He has made several broadcasts on radio and recorded the organ at St Giles for Regent Records ('Let the Pealing Organ Blow').  

The venue
The beautiful eighteenth-century church of St Giles in the Fields is situated in Central London close to Tottenham Court Road underground station. Many buses stop nearby.

Click here to send an email [events @ rco.org.uk].

Aimed at organists of at least grade 5 to diploma level, six playing places are available (giving 25 minutes console time each). Observer places are available.

What to prepare
We suggest one longer piece or two short ones up to a maximum of c. 6 minutes in duration. Please aim to have repertoire at a performance-ready level of preparation.

The organ
The three-manual and pedal, mechanical action Dobson organ at Merton College was installed in 2014 in a spectacular new case. Click here to read more. Situated at floor level in the ante-chapel, there is ample room for all present to see the console clearly during the class.   

The venue
Merton College is one of the oldest constituent colleges of Oxford University and is situated just off the High Street in the historic city centre. Click here for more information. 

The teacher
RCO Accredited Teacher Claire Hobbs was organ scholar at St John’s College, Oxford before postgraduate organ study at the Royal Northern College of Muic and Geneva Conservatoire (with François Delor). She has held positions as Assistant Organist at Bristol Cathedral and Organist at Clifton Cathedral.

Click here to send an email [events @ rco.org.uk].

We will assemble at New Town Church for the morning workshop and move to Canongate Kirk for the afternoon session.

The morning session will be led by Ian Munro, and the afternoon session will be led by Jack Oades.

Schedule:

1030 Welcome, tea and coffee

1100 Ian Munro on working with choirs

1230 Lunch, move to Canongate Kirk

1300 Jack Oades: hymn playing workshop

1400 Jack Oades: enlivening your hymn playing: strategies for adding colour and interest

1500 Ends

All recitals begin at 1.00pm and are free to attend:

• Tuesday 15 September – City of London School
• Tuesday 22 September – Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
• Tuesday 29 September – King Edward’s School, Witley
• Tuesday 6 October – Cheltenham Ladies’ College

Presented in memory of past RCO President Catherine Ennis and generously supported by John Higham KC, the series provides an important public platform for emerging performers.

Young Performers returns to St Mary-le-Bow in March, with details to follow in the New Year.

-----------------

------------

Please note: the following public recitals are also taking place during TOSE Week (open to all - admission free/retiring collection).

• Tuesday 28 July (20:00): Jean-Baptiste Robin, Chapel of Magdalen College, Oxford, OX1 4AU. Music by Marchand, de Grigny, Rameau, JS Bach, Widor, Franck, Robin, Alain, Ravel, Vierne.
• Friday 31 July (13:15): William Campbell, Chapel of Merton College, Oxford, OX1 4JD. Music by Howells, Beach, F. Price, Whitlock, K. Briggs, Farrington.

------------

This flagship RCO course is ideal for those preparing for organ scholarship auditions at universities and cathedrals or entry to a conservatoire, as too for anyone simply wishing to improve their playing of repertoire, their keyboard musicianship and seeking to gain experience in choral conducting and accompaniment.

As well as early bird ticket prices (available until 28 February), considerable discounts are available on course fees for RCO Student Members. We also welcome applications for bursaries towards course fees. See Bookings & Fees below for details.

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 our overseas teacher Jean-Baptiste Robin and a young professional organist (name to be announced)
• Make lasting friendships and forge vital connections both in classes and in the lively social programme
• Generous 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—we are resident at St Edmund Hall, located in the heart of Oxford's historic centre
• Supervision from experienced pastoral staff

Click here to download the timetable of TOSE Week 2025 to give you an idea of what you can expect.

"Excellent work from the RCO - highly recommended."

"All the staff were really friendly and the teaching was amazing. I learned so much and it's completely transformed my organ playing, including how I approach practicing."

"All aspects of the course were beyond satisfactory and the busy schedule allows for a multitude of topics to be explored in depth."

TEACHERS

Sarah Baldock is Director of Music at Winchester College. A prizewinner at the Dallas and Odense organ competitions, she worked for six years as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Chichester Cathedral. Sarah’s imaginative and inspiring teaching is widely appreciated including on several previous TOSE Weeks.

Carolyn Craig is Assistant Director of Music at Wells Cathedral, having held scholarships at Truro, Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey after her studies at Yale University's Institute of Sacred Music. Recognised for her dazzling playing, Carolyn is a prizewinning Fellow of the RCO, and a former TOSE Week student!

Claudia Grinnell is St Edmundsbury Cathedral’s first female Director of Music and a popular choral conductor and solo organist. Her recital programmes thrill audiences for their versatility and breadth, from early music to transcriptions. We’re delighted to welcome Claudia to teach on TOSE Week for the first time.

Huw Morgan enjoys a varied career as conductor, composer and organist based in Bristol, running everything from community choirs to specialist early music groups. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music’s Choral Direction course, Huw was formerly Organ Scholar at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. We welcome him for his first visit as the TOSE Week choral director.

Daniel Moult is one of the most high-profile and celebrated organists in the UK. Based in London, he performs, records, and gives masterclasses around the world. Dan directs the highly acclaimed organ department at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and is passionate about teaching the next generation of musicians.

David Pipe is TOSE Week director and Organist of Huddersfield Town Hall and Director of Music at Cartmel Priory in Cumbria. Following work at York Minster, he set up the Diocese of Leeds’ Keyboard Studies Programme, involving over 1,000 children in keyboard music each week. More recently, David has performed with a symphonic metal band!

Jean-Baptiste Robin is one of the most celebrated French organists and composers. He is Organist of the Royal Chapel at the Palace of Versailles, and Professor of Organ and Composition at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional in Versailles. His recordings have won awards including the Golden Diapason, and Gramophone Editor's Choice.

William Whitehead has gained a wide reputation for his engaging and inspiring interpretation of the organ repertoire. Winning first prize at the Odense International organ competition, he has given concerts around the world and, as curator of The Orgelbüchlein Project, he spearheads the amazing initiative to 'complete' Bach's unfinished manuscript. His teaching is much appreciated, in particular by organ scholars at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

BOOKING & FEES

Book before 28 February to benefit from the the early booking discount. Whether you book before or after 28 February you can pay a deposit of £85.00, with the balance of fees to be paid on or before 1 May. Those booking after 1 May are asked to pay the full fees on booking.

Joining the RCO as a Student Member is strongly recommended, since the discount our student members receive on this course covers almost all of the cost of the annual membership subscription (or all of the cost if you are eligible for RCO Affiliate Student membership through study at an RCO Accredited Institution or with an RCO Accredited Teacher). You can join the Royal College of Organists here for immediate access to the lower rate.

We also welcome applications for bursaries (see below for details and apply by 1 May at the latest).

Fees include tuition, accommodation and breakfast, lunch and dinner from lunch on Tuesday 22 July to lunch on Sunday 2 August. The first figure given is for RCO Student Members; the second for non-Members.

• Early-bird rates (available till 28 February): £875/£920
• Booking from 1 March: £920/£965

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 events [@] rco.org.uk with any questions.

Click here for information and booking details for two additional events for teenage organists: Durham Cathedral Study Day, 31 January and TOSE-in-a-Day, London (details of both events will be posted when available). On the same page, look out for information about our next online meeting of TOSE Community which offers year-round support and inspiration to teenage RCO Student Members.

SUMMARY

• Dates: 27 July 2026 (Semi Final) & 29 July 2026 (Final).
• Location: IAO Music Festival, Bristol (various venues).
• Prizes: First prize £1,200, £400 for other finalists, and recital opportunities.
• Application: The deadline for applications is now closed.

DETAILS

The competition, which ran for the first time in 2018 and now reaches its fifth iteration, is open to organists aged from 18 to 26 years. Under the joint artistic direction of Sarah MacDonald and Mark Lee, RCO Past President and IAO President respectively, it will be held during the 2026 IAO Music Festival in Bristol (26-30 July 2026).

As well as a first prize of £1,200, and prizes of £400 for two other finalists, it will also offer prize winners recital opportunities including St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham, Bristol Cathedral, Selwyn College, Cambridge and Great St Mary’s, the University Church, Cambridge. In collaboration with the Austrian National Music Competition ‘MUSIK DER JUGEND, prima la musica’, the UK’s Susi Jeans Memorial Prize for Organists will also be awarded to a worthy competitor in this competition.

The shortlist has now been announced; click here for more about the shortlisted semi-finalists >>

The semi-finals will be held in Christ Church, Bristol and All Saints, Clifton on 27 July 2026. From there, three competitors will be selected to go through to the final, which will take place in Bristol Cathedral on 29 July 2026. 

The semi-finals and finals of the competition form part of the IAO Organ Festival 2026. Click here for Festival information and tickets >>

The adjudicators will be Sarah MacDonald (RCO President until June 2026, Director of Music at Selwyn College Cambridge, Director of the Girl Choristers at Ely Cathedral, Cambridge University Organist), Mark Lee (IAO President and Director of Music at Bristol Cathedral) and, for the final, Peter King, Past President of the IAO.

IAO President Mark Lee said: “This competition continues to play a vital role in encouraging and showcasing the next generation of organists.

“I’m thrilled that we’ll be welcoming such talented young musicians to Bristol for this year’s festival, and I look forward to hearing the energy, creativity and artistry they bring to their performances.”

Sarah MacDonald, RCO President, added: “The IAO–RCO partnership offers an outstanding opportunity for early-career organists to gain recognition and experience at the highest level.

"This competition celebrates artistry and technical skill, as well as recognising the dedication and hard graft required in each round. It also inspires confidence, establishes connections, and provides an elite platform for emerging artists to perform and thrive.”

This class is likely to be most rewarding for those of at least grade 5 through to diploma level. Observer places will made available once four playing places have been booked.

Queens' College is situated in the heart of the historic city centre with a beautiful nineteenth-century chapel. Why not combine this class with an exploration of the many riches the city has to offer - museums, galleries, other colleges, bookshops...

RCO members enjoy discounted rates for attending all RCO Academy classes, events and courses. Not yet a member? Join now and benfit from the lower price immediately. Click here to read about membership and to join online.