Worship

Organ and choral music have a long, rich history in worship across many faiths and denominations.

The organ may have been introduced into Christian workshop as early as the 7th Century, and its use can be traced continuously to the present day. As a prominent feature in many churches, pipe organs can also play an important evangelical role in the Church's outreach to the community via sacred concerts, music series, and other musical and cultural initiatives.

Depending on the size and requirements of each individual place of worship, the role of organist, choral director or head of music can be full-time, part-time or ad hoc. At church level, roles typically include selecting appropriate music for organ voluntaries, leading the hymn singing and supporting congregational participation in the liturgy, and either directing choirs and other musical activities or accompanying, rehearsing and arranging performances by choirs and other musicians.

Our current resources for those working to incorporate organ and choral music into worship include:

• Employing church musicians
  • For an employed position, you can advertise to College Members and other iRCO users via our jobs board here.
  • We offer a range of relevant resources for employers.
  • The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) supports churches with their music, including the employment of musicians. They provide advice intended to help ministers or incumbents, church committees or councils and church musicians to discuss and negotiate appropriate arrangements including levels for remuneration.

Playing for worship

• The RCO offers a range of online learning resources via its iRCO content hub. iRCO is 100% free for RCO members - click here for details.
• RCO Academy runs regular classes and courses concerning technique and the selection of music for worship. More details.
• In addition, service playing is a major component of many of our longer courses such as the RCO Summer Course. More details.

To receive details about RCO courses, classes and other events by email, register for our mailing list.

RCO members are eligible for significant discounts on RCO courses, classes and events. Click here to find out more about joining the RCO