Charlotte Training Course for Boys, Girls, Teens, and Adults 
The Royal School of Church Music in America Charlotte Training Course for Boys, Girls, Teens, and Adults, sponsored by St. John's Episcopal Church, is open to young singers ages 10-18 and to adults, especially directors. Singers of all levels of ability are welcome, but all must match pitch and enjoy singing. Formal choir experience is usually expected. The course offers training for Treble Choristers, a complete program for Teen Altos, Tenors, and Basses, as well as Adults. The 2010 course begins on Monday, July 19 at Queens University of Charlotte and Myers Park Baptist Church, and concludes with Evensong at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, A.D. 2010.
Richard Webster will serve as Music Director for the 2010 course. He is a composer, church musician, choral conductor, and organist of wide renown. He is in demand for newly commissioned anthems, organ and instrumental works, liturgical music and hymn tunes, and travels extensively to direct hymn festivals, choral workshops and perform organ recitals. His hymn arrangements for brass, percussion, organ and congregation are performed in churches and concert halls throughout the English-speaking world. Currently the Associate Director of Music and Organist at Boston's historic Trinity Church on Copley Square, he directs the Trinity Choristers, and assists with the Trinity Choir. Mr. Webster is Music Director of Chicago's Bach Week Festival, an annual concert series performed by some of the Midwest ’s most celebrated musicians, now in its 35th season. Much sought after as a choral clinician, Mr. Webster has led RSCM Training Courses for boy and girl choristers in the U.S. and South Africa. He is a past President of the Association of Anglican Musicians. As a diversion, he loves running, and has completed eighteen marathons, including the Boston Marathon six times.
Dr. John Cummins will be our course organist. He is the Organist/Choirmaster of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he leads an RSCM Voice for Life program. A Kentucky native, he holds undergraduate and masters degrees in organ performance and literature from the University of Alabama, where he studied with the late J. Warren Hutton. He also holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music as a student of David Craighead. His latest compact disk release Bravo Dolce on the Pro Organo label features him on the Lied Organ (Schoenstein & Co.) at First Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The RSCM Courses brochure states that Dr. Marilyn Keiser was to be our organist, but she had to cancel because of family commitments. We regret any confusion, but we are very happy to welcome Dr. Cummins to our course.
The beautiful campus of Queens University of Charlotte provides excellent facilities including a gymnasium, tennis courts, swimming pool, dormitories, a dining hall, and a student center. Rehearsal and worship space will be provided by Myers Park Baptist Church, where the course will have daily services of evening worship. Public services will include the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Eucharist at St. John's Episcopal Church and the closing 4:00 p.m. Evensong at Myers Park Baptist church on July 25. The Course Managers are especially pleased that Myers Park Baptist Church has invited the RSCM to use its extensive musical facilities and beautiful worship space. For many years the RSCM Carolina Course for boys and adults concluded their courses there.
Treble, teen, and adult participants rehearse daily with Mr. Webster and with distinguished housemasters who provide individual attention in small groups. Dormitory supervision and recreational activities are provided by experienced, attentive proctors who have worked on other RSCMA courses. Rehearsals, worship, learning, recreation, and fun are a part of every day for the choristers.
A Saturday outing to the Pineville Ice House is planned for all youth participants for ice skating and fun; it's a great place to beat the heat during a Charlotte summer! Adults may prefer to rest, visit a museum, shop, or take a pilgrimage to the Brodt Music Company on Saturday afternoon.
Adult participants rehearse and sing with the trebles at Evensong daily. In addition, adults will have opportunities to observe rehearsals and participate in daily adult seminars. At least one seminar will include information and materials for implementing the RSCM training scheme, Voice for Life. Others will include opportunities to discuss how to address the challenges that arise in music programs and a time to share repertoire ideas with others.
New in 2007, positions for two organ scholars are included in the course. Two high school or college students interested in learning to play the organ for liturgical services will be chosen to attend the course and study with the course organist at no charge. Cornel Zimmer Organ Builders is providing scholarship funds for the organ scholar this year. Contact Alan Reed to apply before April 1.
A certified examiner will be available for those who would like to test for an RSCM award. Please complete the forms for the awards found on the RSCM America web site and register with Linda Buzard by June 15, if you would like to be examined for the RSCM Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards.
The RSCMA Charlotte Course will provide an opportunity for fellowship, worship, learning and fun for boys, girls, teens, and adults. Because the week culminates in the celebration of the Sunday services, all youth participants are asked to commit to the entire week's activities. No registrations for a portion of the week will be accepted, except from adults. Participants are asked to purchase and study the music before the course begins.
The Royal School of Church Music is an international, ecumenical, professional organization which promotes high standards of church music throughout the English-speaking world. It seeks to provide for its 8,000 member choirs, in church, school, and community settings, quality publications and helpful programs to assist in the offering of the worthiest praises to God. The RSCM is not affiliated with any denomination; participants from every creed are welcome to participate in our courses.
Alan Reed and Tracy Reed bring many years of experience working on other RSCM courses. They are offering this course to bring the RSCM experience to even more choristers and choral directors in the Carolinas and across the U.S. Please contact them with any questions at the addresses below.
For information about other courses offered by the RSCM in North America, click here: RSCM Summer Courses. An information brochure on all of the North American courses is available also.
NEW! See an informational video on YouTube about all the courses offered by the Royal School of Church Music in America: Music Courses Video