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The Royal College of Organists or RCO, based in Birmingham, England, is the United Kingdom's national body charged with promoting organ and choral music and overseeing musical education and training for organists and choral directors.
The College maintains the British Organ Library and provides internationally-recognised examinations, diplomas and fellowships in organ-playing, choral directing and organ-teaching.
History
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 architect H H Cole. When the lease on this building expired the RCO moved to Holborn in London, then in 2002 they moved to Millennium Point in Digbeth, Birmingham.
Plans were made for more permanent purpose-built premises around the Grade I listed former Curzon Street Railway Station in Birmingham, the world's oldest surviving piece of monumental railway architecture. New facilities designed by Associated Architects included a new library and 270 seat concert hall. The college has recently announced that this move will not be taking place, and it is now researching a more affordable option.
External links
Classical music in the United Kingdom | Music schools in the United Kingdom | Culture in Birmingham, England | 1864 establishments
"Royal College of Organists"