Welcome to RSCM Wessex

The RSCM in Wessex is here to help churches develop the music in their worship. It is a network of people who are committed to music in worship: some are professional musicians, others are retired but active and keen to continue to be involved on a voluntary basis, and others are, like so many, simply church members who care about music in worship and who contribute in their various ways, Sunday by Sunday.

Good communication is vital if we are to be able to help church members make a difference to the music in their worship. This website provides an opportunity to be in contact with members and affiliated churches on a regular basis. Gone are the days when you had to wait six months for a printed paper to arrive on your doormat! Make sure this website is on your favourites list and keep in touch so that we can help you.

Our next RSCM Wessex event is at the church of the Transfiguration, Canford Cliffs, on Saturday 22nd November at 2.30pm. John Barnard will give a presentation about the new photocopiable resource 'Season by Season'. This is a companion volume to the popular RSCM Carol Book, published in 2005. Do come along for this occasion. Copies will be available for sale on the day, so bring a cheque book if you want a copy. John cannot take credit card payments! The church is very close to Sandbanks.

Nearly ninety people spent an enjoyable day on Saturday 8th November at St. Nicholas's, Corfe Mullen making music and discussing ways it can be used in parish worship. Following a keynote address from Geoff Weaver, there were workshops led by Geoff, Rosemary Field, David Bruce-Payne, Ven. Paul Taylor and John Radford (who stood in at short notice because Robert Fielding was unwell). The day started and concluded with worship and there was much favourable feedback from the participants. RSCM Wessex ran a bookstall and several committee members were on hand to talk about the ways in which the RSCM can help parishes with their music for worship.

We are considering holding an afternoon event for boys and girls who sing in local church choirs. The provisional date is Saturday 20th September 2009. If your singers would be interested in being involved please let us know. The music is likely to be drawn from RSCM Voice for Life songbook 1 and Songs for Life volume 1.

The February Singing Break at Sarum College is entitled 'Love and Lament: worship and song for Lent' and is arranged in association with RSCM. For details contact

Congratulations to our latest successful Dean's (Bronze) Award choristers: Wendy Wood, Reg Wood and Michael Nottage from Amesbury Abbey, Iona Kirkpatrick from St. John's, Devizes, Jack Davies and Juho Petaja from St. George's, Oakdale and Peter Dillistone from Holy Trinity, Weymouth.

Examinations for Dean's (RSCM Bronze) and Bishop's (RSCM Silver) are to be held in Salisbury Cathedral on Saturdays 14th February, 9th May and 10th October. For details contact David King at [Send Email].

Details of the 2009 festivals have been announced. They will be at Salisbury Cathedral on June 14th, at Sherborne Abbey on October 4th and at St. John's, Devizes on October 11th. For details contact Roger Bishton, Hon Sec, at [Send Email].

The Friends of Cathedral Music are holding a Gathering in Salisbury Cathedral on Saturday afternoon January 17th 2009. The event will include a talk by Dr. Alan Thurlow, a former Chairman of FCM and until his retirement last year Director of Music at Chichester Cathedral.The cathedral choir will be in open rehearsal under David Halls followed by Choral Evensong and a short organ recital. For more details contact Ian Henderson on 01722-417749 or at [Send Email].

There were great celebrations to mark Peter Hooper's forty years as Organist and Choirmaster at St. George's, Oakdale recently. Many former choristers returned for the occasion during which presentations were made to Peter and Margaret for their devoted work for the parish over many years.