We are delighted to announce that John Bell will be giving this year’s Annual Lecture. John will focus on The limitless resources of local church music, and the event will take place in RSCM Member church, St Thomas's, Salisbury on Wednesday 18 September. 

You can book to attend in person or to watch the recording which will be available from Wednesday 25 September.

Drawing on the experience of the Iona Community, of which he is a member, as well as local churches throughout the world who have moved from scarcity to surfeit, John will challenge the negativity and pessimism about the future of church music in places where it is felt that resources are scarce.

We are sure this will be a fascinating evening and look forward to welcoming John and as many of you as possible to this special event.

We know that many of you are programming Stanford pieces for services and concerts this year, as are we, and we encourage you to tell us your plans by registering here which is a quick and easy process. The RSCM publishes a large range of Stanford’s music, including the new Stanford Responses, adapted and arranged by Professor Jeremy Dibble, which you can access here. You can use the same link to find another new RSCM publication Come & Sing Stanford Evensong.

If you are in or near Cambridge, do join us at one or more of the parts of our Singing Break that are open to all. All will feature a range of Stanford’s works, some familiar and others less so.

Recital of Stanford music at Trinity College Chapel by Course Participants

Friday 12 July at 5.30pm - free to attend, just come along to listen

Illustrated Stanford Organ Recital – Dr Anthony Gritten

Friday 12 July at 7.30pm, Queens' College  

Lecture: Stanford 100 – Professor Jeremy Dibble

Saturday 13 July at 7.30pm, Queens' College 

This is an unmissable opportunity to join in with singing in the beautiful service of Choral Evensong in the equally beautiful surrounding of Coventry Cathedral, alongside members of Coventry Cathedral Choir on Saturday 28 September.

The music marks the 100th anniversary of the death of legendary church music composer C V Stanford, on the weekend closest to his birthday. What makes this occasion really special is that not only will it be accompanied by the Cathedral’s iconic Harrison organ, but also swelled by the Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra in this rare performance (including Stanford’s uplifting Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in A) in the fully orchestrated version of Stanford’s music. Distinguished international conductor, Nicholas Cleobury will lead the event.

This will be a day to remember!

The singing fee includes a souvenir copy of all the music.

Image © Garry Jones

We are excited to be holding our Annual Celebration Day Service in St Albans this year on Saturday 19 October. We invite all singers to join us for the rehearsal and service, and all are welcome to swell the congregation and attend this special evensong.

We are delighted that distinguished conductor, Dr David Hill will be leading the massed voices. Featuring music by C V Stanford, this will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate his huge and influential contribution to church music as well as learning about the work of all our award recipients.

A programme of informative presentations and discussions on topics that support RSCM Membership is being held on the first Wednesday of the month at 7.00pm. 

All welcome - free for our Members, £10.00 per event for non-Members (refundable if you become a Member within a month of the event). Members can view recordings of any of the previous Member events through links in the Members Area.  If you need any help with access, please email [email protected].

Introducing New Music to Your Congregation - Wednesday 7 August 

It can take considerable courage to introduce change into any well-established setting, and few are more well-established than the Sunday morning service. We’ll consider why introducing new congregational repertoire is always necessary and how everyone can survive the process.

Be part of a week long choral experience, learn new skills and make friends for life.

The Bath Course (Monday 19 to Sunday 25 August) is open to singers aged 8-21 working at any musical level, and offers an opportunity for young people to immerse themselves in the choral world, engage with new repertoire and sing in inspiring settings, under the guidance of experienced professional musicians. 

Last chance to book! 

RSCM Members can now access the Member Organised Event registration form via the Members Area on our website, along with guidance information. If you have a forthcoming event which you would like publicised in our events newsletters and CMQ (subject to copy deadlines) and on our website, please log into the Members Area to register your event. 

Song Community Festival **NEW** 

Sunday 14 July - Derby University 

An afternoon workshop to learn about music for health and wellbeing. Ideal for those who run, or are interested in running, enabling or hosting, choirs for those with dementia, Parkinson's etc.

Come and Sing Evensong for Sea Sunday **NEW**

Sunday 14 July - St Mary's Church, Woodbridge 

A celebration of the sea and those who go on it, including music by Charles Villiers Stanford in his centenary year, held in the beautiful setting of St Mary’s Church in the riverside town of Woodbridge. 

Aspiring Organists' Workshop 

Saturday 20 July - St Peter's Church, Wolvercote, Oxford 

The day is mainly aimed at late starters, village organists, those who play for services when no-one else steps forward and who may have had no formal organ tuition. 

Stanford Come and Sing Weekend **NEW**

Saturday 14-Sunday 15 September - Sarum St Martin Church, Salisbury

A weekend of singing Stanford, Rathbone and High Victorian hymns led by Professor Jeremy Dibble of Durham University.

Come and Sing Choral Evensong 

Sunday 15 September - St Michael's and All Angels Church, Ledbury

Rehearsal 4.00-5.15pm and a Choral Evensong service 5.30-6.30pm.

Singing Songs of Expectation **NEW**

Saturday 19 October - The Parish Church of St Eustacius, Tavistock

A workshop celebration of English Hymnody in the centenary year of Sabine Baring-Gould: priest, squire, author and hymnwriter.

Taizé Service **NEW**

Sunday 20 October - St George's Church, Taunton 

Taizé Service at 4.00pm followed by refreshments in the Parish Centre. Theme: ‘Peace in our World’. There will be a practice for choristers and instrumentalists from 3.00pm. 

Come and Try the Organ 

Saturday 26 October - St Peter's Church, Wolvercote, Oxford 

Oxford and District Organists’ Association present an opportunity for pianists and keyboard players age 10 to 18 years to try out their music on the St Peter’s pipe organ.