Royal College of Organists
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Royal College of Organists or RCO, is an educational body of the United Kingdom. Its role is to promote organ and choral music and it offers musical education and training for organists and choral directors.
The College maintains the British Organ Library and provides examinations in organ-playing, choral directing and organ-teaching. These exams are legendary for their exhausing standards and tiny pass rates; and they have been criticised by many distinguished organists for their 19th-century austerity and elitist approach.
[edit] History
The RCO was founded as the College of Organists in 1864 by Richard Limpus, the organist of St Michael's Cornhill in the City of London, and received its Royal Charter in 1893. From 1904 until 1991 it was based in Kensington Gore in West London in a remarkable building designed by the architect H H Cole. When the lease on this building expired the RCO moved to Holborn in London, then in 2002 they moved to Millennium Point in Digbeth, Birmingham.
Plans were made for more permanent purpose-built premises around the Grade I listed former Curzon Street Railway Station in Birmingham, a notable piece of monumental railway architecture. New facilities designed by Associated Architects included a new library and 270 seat concert hall.
Sadly, the college was forced to announce that this move would not be going ahead and that there were major difficulties as a result of the bungled move to the Midlands. Unfortunately the RCO now lacks any sort of HQ and is managing with an imressive website, a po box and a lo-call telephone number.
[edit] Exams
The RCO offers five qualifications or diplomas. The Certificate (CertRCO) is a qualification for the intermediate organist and provides a foundation for developing organists and choral directors. The Associateship Diploma (ARCO) demonstrates high achievement in organ playing and supporting theoretical work. The Fellowship Diploma (FRCO) offers a progression for those who already hold the ARCO and represents a premier standard in organ playing. The Choral Directing Diploma (Dip CHD) demonstrates achievement in choral conducting and related disciplines. The Licentiateship in Teaching (LTRCO) provides professional accreditation for organ teachers who already hold either the ARCO or FRCO.
