Skills Courses for Church Musicians
Developing your skills as a church musician
Church Music Skills is a pioneering new education programme designed to help practising church musicians to develop the skills and understanding that they need for their role, and to equip those who want to be able to lead music in worship.
The programme is based on distance learning, combining private study at home with practical experience in the student’s own church. It is designed for use by students studying alone or with a teacher, and may be complemented by optional attendance at RSCM workshops, masterclasses and short residential courses. It is open to students from the UK and abroad.
Joining the programme
Students enrolling in Church Music Skills opt to follow one of two pathways:
The Award Scheme leads to vocational-type qualifications at three levels
The Flexible Study Scheme allows students to ‘mix and match’ units according to their own personal development goals
There is a 20% discount for students who register before 31st December 2008.
The Award Scheme
The Church Music Skills Award is designed to enable students to become effective leaders and enablers of music in their local church. The Award affirms the student’s abilities and demonstrates their competence to potential employers.
Students on the Award Scheme undertake a programme of study that leads to assessment and an award at three levels:
| Level I | Level II | Level III |
|---|---|---|
Foundation | Intermediate | Higher |
The Level of the award relates to the musical demands at each stage. Students may begin work at any Level.
To complete the award, students submit a portfolio of written and practical work (the latter in the form of audio or audio-visual recordings of rehearsals and performances at their church). They have a choice of Principal Skill – either Organ, Choir Director, Cantor or Ensemble Leader – for the practical work.
The written work includes submissions on a series of Supporting Studies related to church music, for example choosing music for worship, Christian seasons and festivals, copyright legislation or managing volunteers.
On completion of the award, students may go on to do further study, either proceeding to the next Level, or enlarging their portfolio by taking a Secondary Skill (eg where an organist wants to undertake study as a choir director or vice versa).
Those without internet access or email are required to pay a 10% supplement to cover the costs of printing and postage.
Students may wish to ask their church or diocese for financial support when undertaking this programme.
There is a 20% discount for students who register before 31st December 2008.
FAQs
Who might find the programme useful?
Church Music Skills is suitable for any church musician wanting to develop their skills and understanding. This includes:
young people interested in a career in church music
adult beginners looking to develop new skills to help lead music for worship
practising church musicians looking to develop their existing skills and understanding or learn new skills
those wanting to attain a vocational-type qualification in church music
church ministers wanting to develop musical skills and understanding
There is no age limit but the scheme is appropriate for those aged sixteen and over.
When can I join?
Students can join at any point in the year. Just complete the preliminary enquiry form and return it to the RSCM Education Administrator (UK), and we will get in touch with you about registration.
What are the technical requirements?
Some aspects of this programme will require access to the internet and some correspondence will take place by email. Students without these facilities are required to pay a 10% supplement to cover the costs of printing and postage.
Students will be required to submit recordings of their performances for evaluation. These may be on audio tape, CD, MP3, DVD or video and should be of sufficient quality to accurately represent the performance of the student. Those without these facilities may be able to undertake assessment during an RSCM training course, by prior arrangement.
How will I be assessed?
For any unit of study, assignments may include:
Written work – in the form of essays, diagrams, diaries, commentaries etc.
Practical work – audio or video/DVD recordings of performances
Assignments will be assessed by course tutors. Successful students will be awarded a pass, merit or distinction for each individual unit, upon completion of a Level, and for the overall award.
When will I be assessed?
Students can work at their own pace and submit work for assessment when they are ready. On the last Friday of each month the RSCM Education Administrator distributes all recent student submissions to the course tutors and they are marked within a month of that date.
The only exceptions to this rule are the Quick Study tests. Students can elect in which month they want to undertake these tests. The test papers are issued on the first Monday of that month and students are required to submit their assignment within 14 days of that date.
How long will it take?
Students may work at their own pace and can submit their assignments whenever they are ready, with the exception of Quick Study tests in the Practical Skills units, for which there is a time limit of 14 days.
As a rough guide, students should set aside at least ten hours for work on each unit of study, which will include reading and reflection, performance preparation, submission and evaluation. Students taking the full award will take, on average, around a year to complete one Level.
At which Level should I begin?
The Level at which you work will be determined by your current level of musical skill and understanding. When you register for the scheme you will be given guidance on the Level at which to begin.
Level I is for students who are relatively new to their Principal Skill. By the end of Level I students will have demonstrated their ability to play, sing or direct selected items in church services.
Level II is for students who already have good basic technical and musical skills but perhaps have limited experience as a church musician (eg competent pianists wishing to transfer to the organ, who could begin work at this level). By the end of Level II, students will have demonstrated their ability to play, sing or direct the music at a standard church service to a high level.
Level III is for students who are already fairly skilled and who are looking for a musical challenge. By the end of Level III, students will have demonstrated their ability to play, sing or direct music at a church service with significant musical demands to a high level.
Student information
Students may download these documents as necessary. The Word documents can be completed electronically and returned by email, or printed and returned by post. To download these you need to go to the RSCM HQ web site:
http://www.rscm.com/