Join us on 31 Jan for a day of music making in & around Durham Cathedral. Choose organ playing, choral conducting, or both – with tuition from Daniel Cook + Tom Bell. Observe evensong, play historic organs & be part of an inspiring musical day www.rco.org.uk/events/durham-cathedral-study-day

Take a deep-dive into organ music & history with RCO Journal Vol 17. Exploring publishing in Grand Siècle France, Bach’s pedal parts, anniversaries of Schmidt, Stanford & Parratt, and the meaning of destroyed organs. Free for RCO members, read now: https://i.rco.org.uk #OrganMusic #OrganHistory

We’re delighted to announce Andrew Nethsingha as President Elect of the Royal College of Organists, to succeed Sarah MacDonald in July 2026. Read more at https://bit.ly/4mSJTBF

Next Saturday (18 Oct) #PlayTheOrgan at London Bridge station! 🎹 Drop by the undercroft (10:00–16:00) to meet Henry – a small, friendly organ perfect for first-timers – with guidance from the Southwark & South London Society of Organists. Details 👉 www.rco.org.uk/playevents

Sing Aloud! Hymn Writing Competition Click to download the application form here Sing Aloud Rules  Entries are welcome from anyone within the UK.  Completed entry forms to be sent to All Saints Parish Centre or via the email…

A nationwide Christian hymn writing competition with categories for under-18s, and £100 prizes for winners, from All Saints Church, Wellington, in Telford. Entry deadline 31 January 2026.
allsaints-wellington.org.uk/uncategorize...

@rcorganists.bsky.social
#hymns #composition

Celebrating the legacy of John Birch — The Royal Society of Musicians Join us at St George’s, Hanover Square for a celebration of the legacy of organist John Birch, whose generosity has allowed us to continue supporting church musicians in need.

Celebrating the legacy of much-loved organist John Birch at St George's Hanover Square, London on 17 October, 6pm. Free tickets from Royal Society of Musicians
www.rsmgb.org/whats-on/joh...
@rcorganists.bsky.social

Try the only Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ in the NE at a #PlayTheOrgan Year event this weekend - New Victoria Centre, Howden le Wear - Sat 4 Oct, 12:00–17:00. Also this Saturday: Halifax Minster & Tunbridge Wells. Details & more events at https://bit.ly/4janwqi

Don’t miss out – the deadline for the Winter (January) 2026 Diploma examination session is just over two weeks away – Friday 17 October. You can find all the scheduling information you need for CRCO, ARCO and FRCO at www.rco.org.uk/examinations_schedules.php

It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of RCO Vice President Dr Martin Neary. Dr Neary (pictured here, left, at our 2024 Conferment) twice held the position of RCO President (1988–90 and 1996–98) and his commitment to the College was indefatigable. Read more https://bit.ly/4n304Nb

RCO Journal Vol 17 is out now at https://i.rco.org.uk Exploring publishing in Grand Siècle France, Bach’s pedal parts, anniversaries of Schmidt, Stanford & Parratt, and the meaning of destroyed organs. Available for purchase, free to RCO members

Build an organist's toolkit for performing under pressure. RCO members can still register for next week’s free & exclusive webinar – Thu 2 Oct, 19:00–20:30 (Zoom) with performance coach & musician Amy Littlewood. Details at www.rco.org.uk/events/performing

We’re heading to the Granite City! On Sat 25 Oct join us & Aberdeen & District Organists' Association. Morning at St Machar’s Cathedral + afternoon at King’s College Chapel. 📅 Early bird discount until 30 Sept, ️ free/discounted for ADOA members www.rco.org.uk/events/scots-aberdeen

RCO members: Explore performance anxiety and performing under pressure in our next exclusive Working Webinar – Thu 2 Oct, 19:00–20:30 (Zoom). With musician & performance coach Amy Littlewood. Free, register via events@rco.org.uk. Details at www.rco.org.uk/events/performing

Messiaen's Musical Universe Part 1 of Messiaen's Musical Universe (50-minute documentary) is followed by filmed performances of Le Banquet Céleste and La Nativité du Siegneur.

Showing now on RCO Cinema: Messiaen’s Musical Universe! Free Sept & Oct at www.rco.org.uk/cinema By Fugue State Films, featuring Tom Bell & Christopher Dingle. Until 21 Sept: Part 1 + ‘Le Banquet Céleste’, ‘La Nativité du Seigneur’. From 21 Sept: remaining film & later works #Messiaen #OrganMusic

Teenage pianists (Grade 3+) – try the King of Instruments at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in #PlayTheOrgan Year. Mon 27 Oct, 14:00–16:00. Free, places strictly limited. Hosted by Daniel Moult & Simon Williams. Apply events@rco.org.uk with age and Grade (3–4 or Grade 5+)

Everyone at Bristol Cathedral @bristolcathedral.bsky.social looking forward to their 1685 Renatus Harris organ returning to action with a rededication at Choral Evensong on 21 Sept. It's just had a £2.2m restoration by Harrison&Harrison and now sounding marvellous! @rcorganists.bsky.social

10 Female Organists in the UK — Alternative Classical An intro to the women who are breaking traditions for a previously male-dominated instrument.

Ten women organists breaking traditions in the UK! Thank you Alternative Classical @alterclassical.bsky.social and Hannah Fiddy for this great article.

@rcorganists.bsky.social

www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/fem...

Make this a #PlayTheOrgan weekend, with events on Saturday inc: OXFORD (Wesley Memorial Church, 10:30); READING (Town Hall, 10:30); BARNET (St Mary’s Church, Monken Hadley, 10:00); and MILTON KEYNES (St Mary & St Giles church, Stony Stratford, 11:00) www.rco.org.uk/playevents

Don't miss our #PlayTheOrgan Heritage Open Day at Reading Town Hall this Saturday (from 10:30, free no booking). Includes intro to the ‘Father’ Willis instrument, a recital, young players’ masterclass + try-the-organ session. Details https://tinyurl.com/ReadingTownHall

We've got 3 #PlayTheOrgan events in Wales over the coming weeks - Swansea's Brangwyn Hall 16 Sept; Newport (3 venues) 20 Sept; & Llandaff Cathedral 1 October. Details at www.rco.org.uk/playevents - don't miss these amazing opportunities to experience the King of Instruments

Play the Organ Year 2025: Events The Royal College of Organists is delighted to announce Play the Organ Year 2025, a year-long project to increase the number of people learning to the play the organ, as well as enjoying live and recorded organ music.

Tomorrow (Wed 3 Sept) is National Organ Building Workshop Open Day!
Part of #PlayTheOrgan Year 2025 – visit leading UK workshops, incl. Harrison & Harrison (Durham), Goetze & Gwynn (Worksop), and Nicholson & Co. (Malvern).
Details 👉 www.rco.org.uk/playevents #RCO #OrganBuilding

It’s our biggest #PlayTheOrgan month so far – 20+ events in September across the UK! 🎶Come along, have a go, bring a friend 👉 www.rco.org.uk/playevents
#RCO #PlayTheOrgan #Organists

Explore César Franck at the RCO Organ Forum on Sat 1 Nov at Exeter College, Oxford.
Lectures, performances & discussion on Franck’s organ music, with a closing concert of Franck & Bach. Tickets 👉 https://tinyurl.com/RCOFranck
#RCO #OrganForum #CésarFranck #Oxford

Celebrate #PlayTheOrgan Year at Reading Town Hall on Sat 13 Sept, 10:30–4:30
🎹 Discover the ‘Father’ Willis organ, enjoy recitals & talks, and even have a go yourself. Free, all welcome 👉 https://tinyurl.com/ReadingTownHall
#RCO #HeritageOpenDay #Organists

Now streaming on RCO Cinema: The Great Toccata 🎶A 100-minute exploration of Bach’s Toccata & Fugue in D minor, with Daniel Moult at the Martinikerk organ, Groningen. Free to watch until 31 Aug - watch out for September's programme! www.rco.org.uk/cinema

Ever wondered how all those fabulous pipe organs are built, restored & maintained?
On Wed 3 Sept, leading workshops open their doors for the National Organ Building Open Day as part of #PlayTheOrgan Year - venues include Durham, Worksop & Malvern. Details www.rco.org.uk/playevents

Ever wondered how pipe organs are built, restored & maintained? On Wed 3 Sept, leading workshops open their doors for the National Organ Building Open Day as part of #PlayTheOrgan Year - venues include Durham, Worksop & Malvern. Details rco.org.uk/events

Congratulations to all those candidates who were successful in the RCO summer 2025 examination session - details at tinyurl.com/RCOSumme...

New RCO member & not sure where to start in iRCO? Try our curated Playing Styles video series with Daniel Moult – explore 5 major organ schools from early English to French Romantic at tinyurl.com/PlayingS... Not a member yet? Join here 👉 www.rco.org.uk/join #Organists #LifelongLearning

Book now for Play Like a Girl – a hands-on organ day for girls & young women (11–21) Sat 6 Sept at St Giles Cripplegate, London. No experience needed – just curiosity & enthusiasm! www.societyofwomenor...
#PlayTheOrgan #PlayLikeAGirl