Royal College of Organists welcomes patronage of His Majesty The King

His Majesty The King has accepted the patronage of the Royal College of Organists (RCO) following a review of patronages conducted by the Royal Household.

The College was granted its Royal Charter by Queen Victoria in 1893, and His Majesty is the third monarch to serve as Patron, succeeding his mother, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who succeeded her father, King George VI.

His Majesty The King has demonstrated his deep appreciation and understanding of organ and choral music over many years.

Writing at the launch of the RCO International Organ Day in 2021, he said: “Mozart called the organ ‘The King of Instruments’ and so it is fitting that it should be the only instrument which has a Royal College devoted to its advancement …

“… I have great interest in this ‘Wondrous Machine’ as Henry Purcell described the organ so memorably in his Hail! Bright Cecilia. Its playing has been central to important national events for longer than any of us can remember.

“… it is vital that we continue to produce the players who can ensure that the many splendid instruments with which this country is blessed can delight us in years to come.”

This announcement coincides with the first anniversary of Their Majesties’ Coronation, which included more than an hour of music directed by Andrew Nethsingha, Organist and Master of the Choristers of Westminster Abbey, with the expanded choral forces of the Choir of Westminster Abbey, the Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, the girl choristers of Truro Cathedral, the choir of Methodist College, Belfast, and the Monteverdi Choir. Before the ceremony, a two-hour concert featured a wide range of orchestral, organ and vocal music, and a dozen pieces of new music were commissioned for the day. Earlier in the year, His Majesty had paid tribute to the diversity of the Commonwealth with the commissioning of a new organ piece by Iain Farrington, Voices of the World.

Welcoming the announcement, RCO Chief Executive Sir Andrew Parmley said: “We are delighted and honoured that His Majesty King Charles III has accepted the patronage of the Royal College of Organists.

“Our Royal Charter, granted in 1893, is vitally important to us. It defines the essence of our mission, which is, quite simply, to improve standards in organ and choral music throughout the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and across the world.

“We are proud and privileged to work under the gracious patronage of His Majesty and are grateful for the support he gives towards our vision of a world in which organ and choral music are widely valued as being central to cultural and spiritual life.”