Makin Organ at RSCM conference

The first ever Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) conference was held in Derby High School on 7th March when 120 delegates had a thoroughly enjoyable day. The day was opened by Hugh Morris (RSCM Director) and Andy Brockway (RSCM Membership Officer), with Anna Hallett (a young RSCM Pipeline Scholar) performing a piece using one a Makin Windermere drawstop organ kindly donated for use by Church Organ World, as well as prayers, and lively hymn singing.

The conference was packed full of sessions and workshops, expertly led and presented by our special guests Dr Andy Bodkin (from ‘Same Boat Music’, part of the ‘Out of the Ark’ family), Revd Dr Sam Wells, Dr Andrew Earis , members of our own staff team and RSCM Council.

Professional musicians from the London churches of St Martin-in-the-Fields and All Souls Church, Langham Place gave awe-inspiring musical contributions and support to the sessions and workshops, as well uplifting, celestial elements to the opening and closing acts of worship.

Delegates were able to attend individual and small-group tutorials for Organ and Conducting which supplied valuable personal development and constructive critique. Many people commented on how valuable these elements were to the day’s offerings.

In the afternoon, everyone joined together for a demonstration/discussion from Revd Dr Sam Wells, Dr Andrew Earis and the musicians from St Martin-in-the-Fields of their Great Sacred Music programme. This was followed by a reflection from the RSCM Chair of Council, the Very Revd Dr John Hall KCVO, leading into a closing act of corporate Worship, led by Noël Tredinnick and musicians from All Souls, Langham Place, providing the formal end to the conference. A large hall packed full of individuals representing some very different church communities all joined as one voice, forming a jaw-dropping sound, lifted and offered heavenward in a culmination of Praise.