Hatch, match and dispatch: RSCM music survey

The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) has launched an online survey to gauge the different styles and range of music used in weddings, funerals and other special services held in churches.

The results of the survey will be published at a conference entitled Church Music: Sound Ministry on 20 April at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), who are partners with the RSCM in a Foundation Degree in Church Music.

The chances are that if you attend a special church service such as a wedding, you are as likely to hear music from Emeli Sandé or Robbie Williams as the familiar organ pieces by Wagner, Mendelssohn or Widor. The survey on the RSCM’s website www.rscm.com/survey attempts to gauge the extent of the musical change over the past decade or so.

The results will help to inform the Church Music: Sound Ministry? conference on the subject on Saturday 20 April 2013.

Chris Price, co-organiser of the conference at CCCU in collaboration with the RSCM, said:

“There is no doubt that churches have had to respond to the wishes of their communities who come to church for key services such as hatches, matches and dispatches.

“Many organists for example, find that they are often required to press a ‘start’ button on a CD machine as well as play an instrument of some kind. That has enormous implications for the complexion and content of services such as funerals and weddings.”

The keynote speaker at the conference event will be the Revd Canon Peter Moger, Precentor of York Minster. In his former role as National Worship Development Officer for the Church of England, he produced liturgical resources for many public and family occasions. “There is no doubt that occasional and special services have a crucial part to play in the Church’s mission,” says Peter. “They challenge us to make connections through worship with many who normally never set foot inside a church.”

Further information about the conference on Saturday 20 April 2013 may be found at www.rscm.com/education/soundministry.php. The cost of the conference is £25 (including all sessions, refreshments and buffet lunch), and students may attend without charge. To register for the conference, contact Concha Hyde at the Department of Music, Canterbury Christ Church University, on 01227 782579 or concha.hyde@nullcanterbury.ac.uk.