The Royal School of Church Music Canada expresses deep sorrow to hear of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. As patron of the RSCMC, we give thanks for her Majestyâs faithful support and extraordinary service over a lifetime of dedication and duty.
Christâs Church Cathedral in Hamilton, Ontario, in the Anglican Diocese of Niagara, invites applications for the position of Director of Music Ministries at 20 hours/week. The Director of Music Ministries is a key member in the Cathedralâs ministry team, collaborating with the Dean, other clergy, and lay leaders to support the churchâs work in the Diocese and in the City of Hamilton.
The Directorâs work is both artistic and relational, cultivating musical excellence and partnering to build trusting relationships. The work includes:
- Providing high-quality musical support for worship, including playing our Casavant FrĂšres organ (3 manuals, 64 ranks).
- Supporting the congregationâs musical expression by leading and teaching sacred music from a variety of genres and liturgical traditions.
- Conducting the choir and supporting their musical development. The adult SATB choir includes four paid section leads and 10-12 skilled volunteers.
- Facilitating the choirâs role in the community of faith.
- Creatively integrating music-making into the Cathedralâs various ministries, including the work of reconciliation with our Indigenous siblings.
Please click here to view the full position description.
The Cathedral is located in the heart of downtown Hamilton, steps from the GO Transit West Harbour station. The buildingâs doors are often open to the diverse Jamesville neighbourhood: some arrive at our doors from nearby shelters, while others drop in en route between the microbrewery and the streetâs many art galleries.
Interested applicants may view recordings of previous services at Christâs Church Cathedral YouTube Channel and consult the Position Description which is available on Christ’s Church Cathedralâs Website.
RSCM UK is delighted to be sharing these vocal health tips from friends at Cappella Nova Outreach. Each Monday new tips and exercises will be posted to help ease you back into regular singing.
Click here for to access Singing for Health.
International Chorister Day on Sunday 19 September is a new initiative from the RSCM to celebrate the opportunities and experiences available to choristers at all levels from grand cathedrals to local parishes.
You can take a look at the webpage here where you will find details of the RSCM UK showcase event in Croydon but also other events happening across the UK and worldwide â they will be adding to the list over the next few weeks. The resources are there for you to put on your own event, too.
Also coming soon on the webpage is a place for sharing your experiences of being a chorister. If you are a Twitter or Instagram user, then this hashtag will feed directly to it:Â #InternationalChoristerDay
If Instagram or Twitter are not for you you can simply email us material to enquiries@rscm.com and we will include it â or click here to complete a simple form. For some inspiration, have a read of and listen to some of the stories that are already up there
Notes from the Director
All members will receive Notes from the Director in their email as part of their membership. There are details on forthcoming events or updates to current programs such as the Voice for Life. As the pandemic has not allowed gatherings for singing events, members are able to purchase music booklets for specific services, rehearse the music on their own or access the tracks on the website, and participate on the designated day. For choirs, there is one purchase, then it can be distributed to choristers.
Voice for Life and Singing Awards
There is a new syllabus forthcoming this year for the Singing Awards. For those who have participated in the past, the format has been streamlined to be more effective on the day of the exam, and all three levels will be available in Canada. (This is good news for those who have wanted to try for the Gold.)
Some of the information for both Voice for Life and the Awards is available on the RSCM website and a search under âShowbieâ will guide you to the details. The plan is to expand this section further this year. Please visit www.rscm.org.uk or contact William Lupton.
Celebration Day
2020: Last October the RSCM held its Celebration Day online. A choir sang the service under the direction of Rosemary Field in a church in one location, and the said portions were led by Hugh Morris and John Hall in the Lady Chapel at Chichester Cathedral. Congratulations to Mr. William Renwick who received the Fellowship diploma. William is an international authority on Gregorian chant and a founding member of the Gregorian Institute in Canada.
2021: I am pleased to announce that Mr. Denis BĂ©dard is a recipient of the Fellowship diploma this year. He has composed many pieces for the organ, as well as other instruments, and this body of work is being recognized at the Celebration Day on October 9. The March issue of Church Music Quarterly is available for download and the citation for Mr. BĂ©dard is there along with the complete list of honoraries and citations.
RSCM 100
In 2027 the RSCM will celebrate its centenary. Plans are being formulated now as the six years will move along quickly. In speaking with Hugh and John, it is their wish to have the RSCM Branches involved in this celebration. More details to follow as they become available.
Thank You
On behalf of the RSCM Canada Board, I offer thanks to our members for their continuing membership and support. As we are beginning this Holy Week, we look to the hope of Easter Day, in whatever form of worship it may be, online or in person. We wish you well and the very best for the Easter Season.
As the new year 2020 has begun, choirs have returned to weekly rehearsals and routines. Here are a few updates from the past while:
William Lupton was elected as President of RSCM Canada at the 2019 AGM.
Twelve people from Canada travelled to Belsey Bridge Conference Centre outside of Norwich. Members were from Ontario and Newfoundland. This is the largest group from Canada ever since the beginning of the ISS in Durham 2005.
Rosemary Field, Deputy Director of Education since 2012, has taken on the new role of Head of Organ Studies, part of the new education initiative begun in 2015. The other three departments are Choral Studies (Adrian Lucas), Congregational Music (Miles Quick), Ministerial Training (The Revd Helen Bent).
RSCM UK has recently revamped their website. Be sure to visit at rscmc.org.uk RSCM shop is still accesses through rscmshop.com through it is now managed by Ancient & Modern.
In November 2019, two additional examiners were validated â Jenny Matterson and Michael Pirri who will assist William Lupton (Exams Administrator) with the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards examinations.
Applications for the spring session are due April 1. For further details on the requirements, visit the RSCM website and underâ Singersâ.
Please do let us know of any special services or events taking place in your area. Visit us on Facebook.
For Music Sunday 2019, RSCM have commissioned a new anthem by acclaimed composer, Joanna Forbes LâEstrange.
God the Holy Trinity is a beautiful, fresh setting of the Blessing for Trinity Sunday â the date for this yearâs Music Sunday celebration.
Itâs an approachable piece with singable lines; the three-part texture is a deliberate reference to the Trinity. There is an optional soprano descant. The intention is for this to be an unaccompanied piece, but we have supplied a keyboard reduction to aid preparation and to discreetly support performances where necessary. We hope you will be encouraged to join in including this in your celebration of Music Sunday on 16 June 2019.
For more information click hereÂ
The Fall 2018 Cantabile, our quarterly newsletter is out!
Fall 2018 CantabileAs September comes to a close, choirs across the country are settling in to their routines and likely you’ve started planning events for the Fall season (All Saints and All Souls is only weeks away!). Here are a few updates from over the summer:
RSCM Website
The RSCM launched a new website and address in the summer. They are at www.rscm.org.uk.
The original website will remain available for a little while longer.
RSCM Director
Hugh Morris is the RSCMâs new Director who began his term on August 1. There is an article of introduction to the membership in the June issue of Church Music Quarterly.
Singing Awards
The deadline for applications is normally October 1, however, due to the delay in sending out the newsletter, the deadline has been extended to Wednesday, October 10, 2018. Application forms are available from the Chair and examination details are on the RSCM website (www.rscm.com) under âSingersâ or from a member of Executive.
RSCM Celebration Day
Salisbury Cathedral was the location of the Celebration Day on September 8, 2018. This year Sarah MacDonald, Organist and Director of Music at Selwyn College, Cambridge England was elected an Associate by RSCM Council. Sarah is originally from Canada. In addition to her duties at Selwyn, she directs the Girlsâ Choir at Ely Cathedral, and has been a trustee, teacher, and examiner for the Royal College of Organists.
RSCM ISSC
The International Summer School and Conference will take place in Norwich UK August 5-11, 2019. Details are available at www.rscm.org.uk
Events
Please do let us know of any special services or events taking place in your area.