Some months ago, it seemed a good idea to say ‘yes’ to the notion of playing the organ for 25 hours as a Director’s Challenge in this Play the Organ Year. Right now, it’s feeling a rather more… well, challenging prospect. But it’s for an important cause. We want to expand the work we’re doing with young people - we have big plans for growth - and we need additional funds to make them happen.

Anything you can donate in support would be hugely appreciated and will certainly help keep me going. It will be me at the console for the full 25 hours, with just a few minutes’ break each hour, and with some special guests joining me along the way.

Tune in on our YouTube channel from 17.00 GMT on Friday 21 November!

RSCM is proud to launch the 2025 Harold Smart Anthem Competition. Are you a composer with a passion for church music? Do you have a creative spark and a desire to share your musical gifts with the world? If so, this is your chance to shine.

This year’s set text is Psalm 100 (excluding the Gloria), and the competition is open to composers of all ages and backgrounds. To support entrants, we will be running three Lunch and Learn sessions covering:

• Melody writing and effective word-setting
• Harmony and tonal control
• Vocal textures and accompaniment

Don’t miss your opportunity to have your music heard and appreciated by a wide audience. And if you are not a composer yourself, please pass this on to someone who might be interested.

Join Hugh Morris for an online panel discussion exploring practical case studies and effective strategies for recruiting adults to your choir.

Meet our panel:

Kate Cheetham – Director of Music at St Michael’s Church, Ledbury, where choral singing has recently been revitalised, including the return of popular choral evensong services.

Don Gillthorpe – Conductor, composer, and singer, with extensive experience in educational and liturgical music-making. He is Director of Music at Pangbourne College, Berkshire, and currently serves as Head of Publications for Sing for Pleasure, but has successfully sustained choirs of adults including at Lancaster Priory.

Russell Burton – An ABRSM examiner for 30 years and Director of Music at St Philip and St James, Leckhampton, which has a vibrant choir of adults as well as children.

Mark Elliott – Director of Music at Christ Church, Bath, where he leads a thriving amateur, all-comers, all-age choir of around 25 singers.

Click the button below to register for the event.

(Members can claim a free place - please ensure you are logged into the Member Area before registering.)

As part of its upcoming centenary in 2027, the RSCM is proud to announce a major new commission: a 40-minute choral work by acclaimed composer Thomas Hewitt Jones.

We are inviting choirs to join us in celebrating 100 years of the RSCM by becoming co-commissioning choirs for Songs of the Spirit.

Deliberately designed with flexibility in mind, Songs of the Spirit will suit a wide range of choirs and contexts. Written for SATB, the work will include adaptable scoring options for different forces, and will culminate in a rousing, hymn-like final movement with optional audience participation.

Commissioning a work of this scale is usually beyond the reach of many choirs. As a co-commissioning choir, however, you will receive exclusive performance rights during the first year, along with several additional benefits.

To join as a co-commissioning choir, you will need to pledge a donation of £300. The closing date for joining is 31 March 2026, with donations requested during the following month. The piece will be available from September 2026.

Please do forward this to choirs that you think may be interested in joining this exciting project.

A Season to Sing, our major publications release of 2025, has now celebrated its 50th performance worldwide, with more scheduled into 2026. You don’t have to sing the entire work: Joanna Forbes L’Estrange’s original movement, ‘Song of Harvest’, is now available to purchase separately here. 

Discover why choirs everywhere are embracing it by watching a short trailer, featuring live footage from the Australian premiere and London launch. 

Click the image above to discover a range of Christmas gifts! 

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.