Your RCO event details can be found below.
Please note that the 24-hour clock is used on all event listings, with all times being GMT/BST. To book courses and classes, please follow the Book Online link wherever you see it, and email bookings@rco.org.uk or call 020 3865 6998 with any queries. Where events are free or not bookable online, please follow the instructions for that event.
Lay the foundations of keyboard musicianship in an innovative series of small, friendly online classes taught by Frederick Stocken and Anne Marsden Thomas. Throughout the series there will be three classes running simultaneously at different levels, enabling participants to transfer to a different standard if necessary. Bookings must be for a complete series of five classes, which will take place on Mondays 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 November, 18:00–19:00 GMT. A further series of classes is being planned for the five Mondays in March.
This course is based on the teachers’ popular books Graded Keyboard Musicianship Book 1 (OUP, 2017) and Graded Keyboard Musicianship Book 2 (OUP 2017) . All participants must have the relevant volume for their level (Levels 2 and 4 are in Book 1 and Level 6 is in Book 2). The bite-size exercises are finely graded and the book’s accompanying text guides your practice between classes. Expect to progress in the following five skills:
• harmonizing at the keyboard
• transposing
• figured bass
• score-reading
• improvising
This series of classes begins at Levels 2 and 4 of Book 1 and Level 6 of Book 2. If you do not yet have your own copy, first click here to view sample pages, each containing a single lesson from Levels 1 to 5, then take this material to a keyboard and practise one of the lessons from either Level 1, 3 or 5 to check your standard. If you are comfortable with Level 1, apply for our Level 2 series; if comfortable with Level 3, apply for the Level 4 series; if comfortable with Level 5 apply for Level 6 of the series. As at 27 October, online suppliers such as Amazon, Musicroom and OUP should be able deliver these books well before the start date of the course.
All participants will be able to play throughout each class, either to the group or muted while others play. Everyone will be visible on screen and will be able to ask questions at any time.
Requirements in order to particpate
• your own copy of Graded Keyboard Musicianship Book 1 (OUP, 2017) or Graded Keyboard Musicianship Book 2 (OUP 2017)
• attendance at all five classes
• a commitment to spend a minimum of one hour between classes practising at the keyboard and reading the text accompanying each lesson
• a good broadband connection (ideally wired, but stable wireless if not) and fluency with Zoom technology (see https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-requirements-for-Windows-macOS-and-Linux for Zoom system requirements)
• your computer placed next to a piano, organ or any other keyboard
• If aged under 18 a parent, guardian or other trusted adult must be present in the same building for the duration of the class
To maintain the highest quality learning experience, places on each series of classes is strictly limited to five participants. Recent experience with RCO online learning suggests there will be high demand for these classes, so please apply quickly if interested.
Fee: RCO Members £200 (five classes @ £40 each); Non-members £275 (five classes @ £55 each)
For RCO courses and classes, the following key is used as a guide to level and suitability:
Beginner (Grades 1-4)
Intermediate (Grades 4-6)
Advanced (Grades 6-8 / CRCO)
Diploma 1 (CRCO–ARCO)
Diploma 2 (ARCO–FRCO)