Membership
Founded in 1909 as the Canadian Guild of Organists, the Royal Canadian College of Organists is Canada’s oldest musicians’ association. Today, the RCCO is a nation-wide inter-denominational community of professional and amateur organists, church musicians, choral conductors and others sharing an interest in the organ and church music.
The RCCO works across Canada in support of fine church music and organ playing. If you care about these arts, whatever your background, skill level or religious affiliation, the College has a place for you.
Benefits
The RCCO assists its members in the development and practice of fine organ and choral performance and sound church musicianship, and works to promote these interests in the wider Canadian public. It also provides members with advice and information in matters pertaining to church employment, both through its National and Centre professional concerns officers and a nationwide network of colleagues.
The National Office offers a wide range of resources including audio/video tapes and printed material covering topics such as: service planning; wedding music; choir training; recommended salary levels for church musicians; and the purchase, maintenance, and improvement of all types of organs.
Examinations
Examinations are held annually for the diplomas of Colleague, Associate, Fellow and Choir Directing, and the certificates in Service Playing and Choir Training, all of which test and provide recognition for achievement in organ performance and musical knowledge. Copies of past exam papers and cassette-recorded mock practical examinations are available from the National Office.
Conventions
RCCO conventions offer opportunities to hear and meet world-class recitalists and clinicians from Canada and abroad, to participate in workshops on a wide variety of topics, and to discuss subjects of mutual interest and concern with friends and colleagues.
Publications
Membership in the RCCO includes the two publications from the RCCO National Office:
- Organ Canada/Orgue Canada - the official bi-monthly journal of the RCCO; and
- The RCCO/CRCO Yearbook.
Join the RCCO
For information on how to join the RCCO, the membership regulations and the benefits of membership, please visit the RCCO Membership page, or contact us directly.