Who We Are
Aims and Objectives || Vision, Mandate and Activities
Founded in 1909 as the Canadian Guild of Organists, the RCCO is Canada's oldest musicians' association. Today, the RCCO is a nationwide interdenominational community of professional and amateur organists, church musicians, choral conductors, and others sharing an interest in the organ and church music.
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.
Members receive the RCCO's official journal, Organ Canada. The RCCO National Office publishes the bimonthly Organ Canada/Orgue Canada, furnishing a uniquely Canadian perspective on the College's life and work.
Examinations are held annually for the diplomas of Colleague, Associate, and Fellow; the Professional Diploma in Choral Conducting; 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 recorded mock practical examinations are available from the National Office.
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.
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.
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.
Aims and Objectives
To promote a high standard of organ playing, choral directing, church music and composition.
To hold examinations in organ playing, choir directing, theory and general knowledge of music; to grant diplomas to members of the College who pass such examinations.
To encourage organ recitals and other public music events and to afford opportunities for the discussion of topics of musical interest.
To increase understanding and appreciation among church musicians, church authorities and the public at large of matters relating to church music.
Extracted from the Constitution and Bylaws
VISION
The RCCO is the pre-eminent voice for and means of communication among organists within Canada and internationally. The College will promote the professional competency of its members, encourage increased recognition of their profession and encourage the highest musical standards in organ performance, choral directing and composition.
MANDATE
To promote and facilitate opportunities for access to, appreciation of, and participation in all facets of the organ, through education, communication, accreditation, performance sponsorship and cooperation with arts organisations and others.
ACTIVITIES
- Deliver and promote educational and performance opportunities such as workshops and recitals
- Hold examinations, grant diplomas and award scholarships
- Cultivate beneficial relationships with churches, seminaries, educators, musicians, music festivals and other arts organisations
- Commission new works
- Form partnerships with public and private funders to present events
- Communicate to the public the importance of the organist as an artist and organ music as an art form
Approved by the Board of Directors, May 3, 2002