Introducing The Royal School of Church Music
The Royal School of Church Music exists to assist church musicians develop their potential, improve their skills, and much more. 

So, just what is the RSCM?
The RSCM is an ecumenical Christian charity which aims to encourage and inspire both the good use of music in worship and the development of our church musicians, well-established in England but with a strengthening presence in Scotland and an established role in Canada, America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. It is dedicated to raising standards and promoting music in every style of Christian worship and every denomination. Although the people of God worship in different ways and enjoy different musical styles, all share the belief that good music, used effectively, greatly enriches our worship experience.

Planning for the future is a long-term challenge. The current work of the RSCM includes: 
* enabling suitably trained and experienced musicians to lead and inspire
* working to reverse the present decline in singing in and out of church
* encouraging an understanding of the nature and use of music in worship

It is a network of affiliated groups and individuals, co-ordinated nationally and regionally through voluntary committees, guided, enabled and supported by an administrative staff, with an administrative centre at Cleveland lodge, near Dorking in England. Specialist tutors, consultants and advisers are engaged to assist in delivering programmes and developing related resources. 

Entry level programmes of training in any of eight church music skills, including those of the singer, choir trainer, organist, and composer/arranger, can lead to the RSCM’s Church Music Skills Awards. These skills are transferable to community music making outside the church. More advanced courses are offered from certificate level to post-graduate study. 

There is a graded membership structure which allows for differing levels of commitment, depending on individual needs. Involvement is rewarding at any level, and membership enables the RSCM to provide education programmes, training courses, resources and publications for all involved in worship. 

What is the RSCM doing in Scotland?
The Scottish groups plan events which include: 
* conducting workshops
* seasonal music workshops where participants can share in preparing and presenting an act of worship
* singing days, including a residential break in the summer 
* co-operating with the Scottish Churches Organist Training Scheme (SCOTS) in providing a training day for organists

How can I become involved?
Simply sample one or more of our events this session and see for yourself. If you’re thinking about membership, there are several entry points: 
* as an affiliate
* personal membership
* junior/student membership
* as a friend

Affiliate membership is a kind of corporate membership, designed for churches, colleges, schools, choirs, or other groups. For churches with large choirs and a rich choral tradition, this is the ideal form of membership through which to avail yourselves of discounts on music and other products offered through RSCM Music Direct. 

However, it is perfectly appropriate for such groups to take out personal membership if their needs are more modest, without losing many of the benefits. Junior/student membership is open to anyone under 18 or in full-time education. Friends include those who wish primarily to support church music through the work and development of the RSCM. 

Why become a member?
Membership of RSCM offers a range of benefits too long to list here but the following may whet your appetite!
Free subscription to Church Music Quarterly, offering a mix of news, features, recommendations and reviews. 

Free subscription to Sunday by Sunday, the RSCM liturgy planner, based on the Revised Common Lectionary, gives week-by-week guidance on choosing music throughout the year. Suggesting hymns, psalms, organ voluntaries, anthems and other music from a wide range of styles and traditions and suitable for all ages, giving an indication of relative difficulty. 

The RSCM handbook, full of useful information for the church musician. 

Information on locally-organised events and courses, which are often discounted to individual members and affiliates. 

Education and training award schemes, Voice for Life is the RSCM choral training scheme, especially designed to encourage and reward singers of all ages. There is also the Scottish Churches Organist Training Scheme (SCOTS) in which service accompaniment skills are developed together with knowledge and awareness about the musician’s contribution to worship in general, as well as working with choirs and other musical resources in the congregation. 

For more information about SCOTS visit www.scotsorgan.org. 

To find out more, contact Mrs Pat Lynch on pelynch@aol.com or visit the RSCMScotland website, www.rscmscotland.org.