The Church of England is inviting choirs from cathedrals, churches, schools and communities across the country to Join the Song this Christmas! The song in question is a new arrangement of The First Nowell by Bob Chilcott. We believe it will become a firm favourite with choirs and congregations for many Christmases to come.

Resources to help choirs of all ages and stages learn and perform the carol – including a downloadable score, lyric sheet, learning videos and backing tracks – are available free on our website.

As well as the usual RSCM branded gifts, such as ties, cufflinks, music bags, mugs and pencils, we now have new items including water bottles, hoodies, caps and tote bags.  

They make an ideal stocking filler, secret Santa present, or gift for friends and family.   

Since the publication of The Cross of Christ in 1965, the RSCM has published several widely used Passiontide devotions. With powerful liturgies, and music suitable for all types of choirs and congregations, many of these services have become part of Lent and Passiontide in churches worldwide. Last Words of Love is the latest RSCM publication for Holy Week and includes a liturgy devised by the Revd Chris Thorpe and six anthems in a variety of styles and difficulty, including four written for this collection by Joanna Forbes L’Estrange, Thomas Hewitt Jones, Peter Nardone and Amy Summers. 

We are currently recruiting for two part-time posts. First, we are seeking to appoint an experienced marketing officer to help make the most of the wide range of products, services and resources that we offer. Second, we are looking for someone with superb administrative skills for the role of courses and choirs administrator in our Education department. Both roles represent great opportunities to work with our small, dedicated team to enable the flourishing of church music. For more details and to apply click the button below.

In addition, we are seeking to appoint administrators for some of our Voices Choirs. Details will appear soon on the jobs page of our website. Finally, we will be advertising for a volunteer to become a non-executive Director of RSCM Enterprises, Ltd, the trading arm of RSCM. This is an exciting time to join the fledgling company as it develops its brand. 

We are working hard on planning Voice for Life Award sessions for 2024. Further information will be sent out before the end of the year, so please make sure that someone from your group Membership is registered as your awards representative and has consented to receive email updates from us. Contact examsdesk@rscm.com if you’re unsure.  

Preparations are already underway for Music Sunday 2024, which will take place on 9 June. 

We are planning the Big Hymn Sing for Music Sunday, which will include a set of downloadable supporting materials. The question is: which hymns would you like to see as part of our resource pack and ‘central’ service? You can share your nominations by clicking the link below and filling in the form. The poll will close on Friday, 15 December, so don’t delay.