Devon Area

Resourcing and encouraging your church's music for worship

RSCM Devon is a thriving part of the work of the Royal School of Church Music, an ecumenical body which is committed to achieving the best use of good music in worship – whatever the resources, whatever the styles.

We seek to serve churches of every denomination and musical tradition and to organise training sessions and special services and events which will give church musicians the skills and resources they need to lift and inspire the worship of their churches through the gift of music.

Members of affiliated choirs and music groups, individual members and Friends to receive these benefits:

  • Regular information about Area and regional events by email, in addition to publicity in ‘The Network’ national handbook published quarterly.
  • Quarterly issues of the informative national CMQ magazine
  • Discounts at RSCM Devon events, and when purchasing music from the RSCM Shop
  • The support of local and national advisers who make visits and lend their expertise where required. Music leaders, organists and choir directors can call on advice and support, as can clergy and church leaders when problems arise.
  • Knowing that you are part of a national and regional body which seeks to improve the quality and effectiveness of church music at every level.

The current eNewsletter is available in the ‘News’ section further down this page.  To receive a copy by email please send an email requesting this to info@rscm-devon.org.uk

News

Revised COVID 19 guidance 8th December 2021

Dec 10, 2021

As a consequence of the government’s “Plan B” Regulations issued on 8th December the Church of England and the RSCM have issued revised guidance for churches and choirs. The principal change is that it becomes mandatory to wear face coverings in places of worship “except where not practical (for instance when singing or leading worship)”. Other advice and legal restrictions remain unaltered.

RSCM have issued a FAQ document, and the updated Church of England advice may be viewed here.

 

Awards Presented at the Area Festival Service

Oct 26, 2021

Three presentations were made at the Area Festival on Saturday 23rd October in Exeter Cathedral.

The Mike Ball Shield, presented annually to a young person in the area who has gone above and beyond in the cause of church music, was presented to Louise Jones, from Crediton, for her loyalty and dedication in the choir there, including looking after some of the more elderly members of the choir as well the younger ones.
Alex McNeice, a young tenor from Colyton, was officially presented with the RSCM Gold Award (he took the exam in July), and he was also an excellent cantor for the preces and responses.
Tony Yates, Director of Music at Topsham, was presented with the RSCM Certificate of Special Service, for a lifetime’s commitment to church music in Devon. This would have been presented at Celebration Day in Salisbury last year, but covid intervened.
Congratulations to all.

Wedding Planning

Apr 23, 2021

Now that the restrictions on of wedding ceremoies in church are beginning to be relaxed, and couples are once again planning their wedding, the following RSCM guide on planning a wedding may be useful. As well as some suggestions for suitable music, it covers advice on copyright and recording of services.

Please note that this document was prepared before COVID restrictions, and currently no congregational singing is permitted, but a small church choir may be used to sing the hymns.

View RSCM wedding planning guide

RSCM Area Reorganisation

Apr 16, 2021

RSCM nationally has undergone a substantial reorganisation of the areas. A number or Regional Managers have been appointed to oversee the work of the area committees, particularly to maintain financial probity, ensure that safeguarding is rigorously applied and ensuring that the areas deliver the full range of courses and events.
Part of this is a rebuilding of the area committees, now called Teams.
The members of the Devon Area team are:
Team Leader:
Nicholas Brown
Secretary: Simon Ford
Treasurer: Richard Stephens
Safeguarding: Rita Bilverstone
Website etc: Colin Ashby
Diocesan Rep: Revd. Canon James Mustard
Plymouth Rep: Sean Sweeney

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