Biggest ever Summer Course draws organists from across the world

The RCO St Giles Summer Course for Organists has been hailed as a major success after attracting 76 organists from all over the world for a week-long mix of masterclasses, concerts, lessons and workshops.

Participants were drawn from four continents to spend the week receiving expert tuition and advice on 28 different organs and 7 dummy pedalboards, all within London’s Square Mile.

Course Director Anne Marsden Thomas said: “This year’s Summer Course was our biggest yet, and it was a wonderful celebration of the organ, its music and the sheer diversity of people around the world who play it.

“The scale of the event made it a huge logistical operation to manage, but it really was worth it.
The RCO St Giles Summer Course for Organists ran from August 4th to August 9th, and was hosted by three organisations: The Royal College of Organists; St Giles International Organ School; and Oundle for Organists.

The week-long event features a mix of masterclasses, informal learning groups, concerts, workshops, visits and daily services – 89 separate group events in all, plus individual lessons and daily access to practice organs.

By providing seven study levels, the event was aimed at a wide range of organists, whether amateur or professional; beginner or advanced; parish organist or recitalist.

The event reached its conclusion on Saturday 9th August at St Giles Cripplegate Church, with some of the advanced students playing in the daily service and the final student concert, before the distribution of reports and certificates.

RCO members can see a selection of photos from the event in the event photo library here - http://www.rco.org.uk/education_events_photo_library.php. You will need to be signed in.