We were delighted to welcome so many people to St Albans Cathedral last Saturday. 

Approximately 150 singers were conducted by Dr David Hill FRSCM and accompanied by Andrew Lumsden FRSCM in a rousing Stanford ‘Come and Sing’ evensong. The Introit, Give us a Pure Heart (performed in the presence of the composer, Revd Christopher Willcock) was particularly popular with the singers. Christopher had travelled over from Australia to collect his Fellowship of the RSCM Award, alongside worthy recipients from around the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the US. During the service we were also able to present a number of Voice for Life Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates as well as one of our Church Choir Awards. 

We are most grateful to all those at St Albans for such a warm welcome, and we look forward to Celebration Day 2025 in Oxford. 

Read on to find out more about our Honorary Awards. 

Paul Hedley
RSCM Deputy Director

With Celebration Day 2024 now behind us, it’s time to invite nominations for the 2025 Honorary Awards. There are four categories, and anyone can now make a nomination. So, if you think there is someone deserving of recognition for making a special contribution to church music, whether at local, national or international level, then have a look at our website by clicking the button below, read the different criteria for the categories and send us your completed submission form.

The deadline is Sunday 1 December.

_{Award winners pictured at Chester Cathedral on Celebration Day 2023}

Do you love church music? Perhaps you sing in a choir at your local church or with a choral society? Or do you just enjoy listening to sacred music? Yet, have you noticed how few children or young people are involved in church music? 

Our annual appeal this year focused on the urgent need to address the lack of children participating in church music in schools and churches. You can help us change this by becoming a Friend of the RSCM. With an annual donation from as little as £50 you will also enjoy a free subscription to Church Music Quarterly, our magazine full of information, news and inspiration. 

Become a Friend today and help us grow today's young people into the choirs and music groups of tomorrow.

The RSCM is about to launch a major survey on Church Musicians fees. As members will be aware, we produce guidance on fees and remuneration of Church Musicians (available as a member benefit), and we are working to refresh and overhaul this work over the coming period with a much wider survey. You don’t have to be a member to take part – we would encourage all with an interest to do so. The wider the pool, the better the information that we collect will be. Look out for the link coming soon. 

We are excited to be launching two new publications, The RSCM Book of Psalm Songs and Sing to the Lord! 30 Hymn Meditations.

The RSCM offers four beautifully designed sets of Christmas cards, available for purchase by clicking the button below. Two of the sets feature exquisite calligraphy by a renowned artist. To enter for a chance to win a £10 RSCM Music Direct voucher, redeemable on any purchases in our shop, simply email us at [email protected] with the name of the artist. The winner will be selected at random.

The RSCM is currently looking to recruit an experienced fundraiser to the post of Deputy Director (Development; Membership). As well as taking responsibility for fundraising, the Deputy Director will lead on the development of membership services. Applications close for this vital role on Monday 28th October. Full details can be found here.

We are also looking to appoint new Trustees to our governing Council to expand the range of skills, knowledge and experience. Details can be found here. 

RSCM, 19 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EB

The Royal School of Church Music is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England, no 00250031.
It is also a registered charity, no 312828.