Accreditation |
RCO Certificate of Accredited Membership (CAM)

The RCO Certificate of Accredited Membership (CAM) is an early-level certificate scheme designed to establish and strengthen fundamental skills and musicianship at the organ.

CAM offers the organist a developmental route from the foundation stage (equivalent to around ABRSM/TCL Grade 2) via the intermediate stage (around Grade 4) to the advanced stage (around Grade 6). Each stage of the CAM scheme requests the performance of three solo pieces and asks the player to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the repertoire performed through supporting programme notes. Stages 2 and 3 also request the performance of an accompaniment.

The CAM scheme is part of the RCO’s Personal and Professional Development (PPD) programme and has the following advantages:

• The assessors are professional organists and teachers with experience at these levels
• Candidates are free to commence the scheme at any stage
• Candidates are free to choose their own repertoire, and accompaniment exercise at Stages 2 and 3
• Assessment options include the opportunity to submit audio-visual (AV) material and digitised print
• Material for assessment via the AV option may be submitted at any time  
• Entry to the scheme is not dependent on RCO membership   
• The scheme may be viewed as either an end in itself or as a series of stepping stones towards RCO diplomas

Click on the following links to learn more about CAM and how you can follow the scheme:   

CAM, Requirements Stages 1–3
CAM, General Regulations
CAM, Repertoire Ideas Stages 1–3
CAM, Assessment Criteria Stages 1–3
CAM, Application Form 
Guidelines on Submitting AV and Digitised Material for Assessment
Authentication Form for Submitting Material for Assessment

Fees

Figures in brackets give the rates for students.

There are three options for the assessment of the Practical Module (Solo Pieces and Accompaniment, per Stage): 

Assessment by audio-visual submission: £69 (£54)
Assessment at an RCO examination centre: £109 (£88)
Assessment at a site of the candidate’s choosing: £138 (£114)*

*Subject to feasibility. This option will be discussed with the candidate.

Assessment of the Supporting Portfolio (per Stage): £45 (£30)

Support

Various types of support suitable for CAM may be found through the RCO website:

• iRCO, the RCO’s virtual campus at i.rco.org.uk, which offers a range of online learning resources at all levels
• Individual tuition through an RCO accredited teacher   
• RCO classes and courses, organised nationally through the RCO’s regional network
• The RCO’s library collections.