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Royal College of Organists
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Royal College of Organists or RCO, is an educational body of the United Kingdom. Its role is to promote organ and choral music and it offers musical education and training for organists and choral directors.
The College maintains the British Organ Library and provides examinations in organ-playing, choral directing and organ-teaching.
The RCO was founded as the College of Organists in 1864 by Richard Limpus, the organist of St Michael's Cornhill in the City of London, and received its Royal Charter in 1893. From 1904 until 1991 it was based in Kensington Gore in West London in a remarkable building designed by the architect H H Cole. When the lease on this building expired the RCO moved to Holborn in London, then in 2002 the college moved to Birmingham. The library collections of the college were deposited in the University of Central England's archive records centre at the University's Perry Barr campus. The RCO's administration moved to a temporary home at Millennium Point in the Digbeth area of Birmingham.
Plans were made for more permanent purpose-built premises around the Grade I listed former Curzon Street Railway Station in Birmingham, a notable piece of monumental railway architecture. New facilities designed by Associated Architects included a new library and 270 seat concert hall.
In late 2005 the RCO announced that this move would not be taking place. The College has since announced that it will not longer be looking for a permanent home of this kind, focusing instead on core activity such as education, events, examinations and member services.
The RCO offers five qualifications or diplomas. The Certificate (CertRCO) is a qualification for the intermediate organist and provides a foundation for developing organists and choral directors. The Associateship Diploma (ARCO) demonstrates high achievement in organ playing and supporting theoretical work. The Fellowship Diploma (FRCO) offers a progression for those who already hold the ARCO and represents a premier standard in organ playing. The Choral Directing Diploma (Dip CHD) demonstrates achievement in choral conducting and related disciplines. The Licentiateship in Teaching (LTRCO) provides professional accreditation for organ teachers who already hold either the ARCO or FRCO.