In our final newsletter of 2024 we would like to thank all of you who have supported RSCM events and we look forward to another busy year in 2025.  Scroll down to find out more on some new exciting opportunities for you to join us!  

We wish you well with the Advent and Christmas services in your local churches, and hope you have a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. 

All singers are welcome to join us for a special 'Come and Sing Evensong' on Saturday 8 February at All Saints' Church, Clayton-le-Moors directed by Hugh Morris, Director of RSCM. The rehearsal is 1.00-3.00pm followed by the service at 4.30pm.  Music to include 'Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in B flat' by Charles Stanford and 'O thou the central orb' by Charles Wood.  All music and refreshments will be provided.

Come and sing evensong on Sunday 16 February with the choir of Holy Cross, Crediton directed by Hugh Morris, Director of RSCM. Music to include 'A Hymn for St Cecilia' (Howells), 'Preces & Responses' (Radcliffe), 'Canticles' by Wood (Cm) and 'Hail, gladdening light' (Wood). The rehearsal is at 3.00pm and the service at 6.00pm. Entry is free with voluntary donations towards the day, and there are refreshments after the rehearsal and service.

Booking for the 2025 Bath Course (Monday 18 to Sunday 24 August) is now open!  Be part of a week-long choral experience, learn new skills and make friends for life. The Bath Course 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.  We are delighted to be welcoming Jennifer Sterling, Associate Choral Director at St Martin-in-the-Fields, to lead the course this year.  

“The Residentiary Choir gave me the opportunity to sing wonderful music with strong singers. It was great to be able to get some one-on-one vocal tuition — I’ve always wanted to be able to have singing lessons.”

The Residentiary Choir is a training choir for 40 auditioned adults which comes together for a week each summer to sing services in a UK cathedral or other similar venue. We are now inviting enthusiastic and experienced singers from RSCM affiliated churches (or Individual/Student members) to audition to join the choir in 2025.

Individual vocal coaching is an integral part of the Residentiary Choir, and the choir sings a wide range of music of all periods. Many members are leading singers or choir trainers in their home choir, and benefit from an intensive week of study under professional choir trainers and vocal tutors. Coupled with singing in beautiful surroundings for a week, singing in the Residentiary Choir brings the opportunity to focus specifically on your individual vocal skills whilst also practising and performing alongside fellow church musicians. Recent venues have included Salisbury (2022), Bristol (2023) and Guildford (2024). The choir is currently directed by Martyn Rawles, Organist and Assistant Director of Music at Lichfield Cathedral, and will be heading to Chester Cathedral in August 2025.

A programme of monthly informative presentations and discussions:

Demystifying Plainchant - Wednesday 4 December at 7.00pm

• Ever wanted to try using it but been fearful of getting it 'wrong'?
• Unsure where to start?
• Not quite sure if it's right in your context?

Martin Baker, former Master of the Music at Westminster Cathedral is deeply versed in the traditions of chant, and in this discussion session, chaired by RSCM's Director Hugh Morris, he will unpack some of the basics, but also offer advice about how to sing chant with a sense of style, to enhance worship to maximum effect.  Bring your questions, too!

Inspire, Equip, Renew: Church Music Open Forum with RSCM Director, Hugh Morris - Wednesday 8 January at 7.00pm

If you want to develop music in your church but are not sure how, or need fresh input to provide solutions, join the RSCM’s Director, Hugh Morris for an open forum discussion session. 

Hugh will also lift the lid on RSCM’s plans for 2025 and onwards, and signpost to some key resources which can help you in your own situation. Members new, old and yet-to-be all welcome. 

Click the button below to book or to see details of all the upcoming events in this programme. 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 online events through links in the Members Area.  If you need any help with access, please email [email protected].

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. 

Christmas Concert with Symbel Choir  **NEW**

Saturday 14 December - Church of the Ascension, London 

Symbel Choir presents a short concert at Ascension Lavender Hill of sacred Christmas music from Europe and the Americas.

Border Singers Carol Concert  **NEW**

Monday 16 December - St Oswald's Church, Malpas

A Christmas carol concert with music lead by the Border Singers, readings and poems, and traditional Christmas carols for the congregation. Please come and join in.

Come & Sing Carols of Our Time  **NEW**

Monday 23 December - St Mary's Church, Milton Keynes 

The afternoon will consist of a workshop exploring Christmas music exclusively by contemporary female composers through the new publication 'Carols of Our Time'. It will conclude with a short carol service including some of the music from the workshop, organ music by contemporary female composers and short readings by female writers. All are welcome to sing, or come along at 5.15pm for the carol service.

Come and Sing Choral Evensong  **NEW**

Sunday 12 January - St Mary's Church, Swanage 

All are welcome to join the choir of St Mary's, Swanage to sing Choral Evensong led by Professor Stephen Darlington, former Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. All music will be provided. Rehearsal at 4.00pm, service at 6.30pm.

Epiphany Carol Service  **NEW**

Saturday 18 January - Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford 

We are invited to join the Cathedral choirs in singing in the Thames Valley Epiphany Carol service at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford by kind permission of the Dean. The directors will be Peter Holder and Helen Smee. Robed and unrobed choirs are equally welcome. All singers will join in singing anthems and hymns, and there will be some music sung only by the Cathedral choirs.