Organ
Led by internationally-acclaimed organist and tutor Daniel Moult, with a stellar staff including International Consultant Nathan Laube (New York) and Visiting Professor Martin Schmeding (Leipzig), Royal Birmingham Conservatoire enjoys a reputation as a leading European centre for organ studies.
Our Staff
Our expert teaching staff are renowned as leading performers and teachers in the UK and provide exceptional tuition.
Our staffOur tutors
We also have a variety of tutors who provide specialist teaching and advice within the Organ and Harpsichord Department.
Our tutorsPerformances
Come along to an RBC performance to see our current students in action, alongside some of the biggest names in classical and contemporary music.
Upcoming performancesBenefit from unique resources
The Conservatoire's move to a new, purpose-built home in 2017 provides a unique set of resources that will further equip our students to become leaders in the profession.
The city of Birmingham boasts a vibrant cultural scene that includes the CBSO, BCMG and regular concerts by city organist, Thomas Trotter. With an additional three concert hall organs on our doorstep, as well as the libraries of the Royal College of Organists and BIOS in the city and tuition by internationally renowned musicians, Birmingham provides the ideal environment for the serious study, research and performance of organ art music.
Be part of a leading centre for organ studies
- With 17 students, a world-class faculty, and a new home with several new organs imminent, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire enjoys a reputation as a leading centre for organ studies in the UK.
- We are a destination of choice for some of the most gifted young organists in the UK and beyond, including many young professional organists who study with us at the start of their careers. We have just relaunched our Junior Fellowship scheme, where a couple of younger established professional organists can gain valuable experience of working at conservatoire level and receive support for competition preparation, research and performance projects.
- Current and recent postgraduates (including musicians from cathedrals at St Paul’s, Ely, Lichfield, Birmingham, Peterborough, St George's Chapel, Windsor, as well as international students from Germany, Norway, Japan and Hong Kong) include prizewinners at diploma, national and international competition level.
- Recent undergraduates include several RCO prizewinners who have gone on to positions at cathedrals in Westminster, Salisbury, Worcester, Birmingham, Liverpool, St David’s, Chester, Norwich, St Wenzel Naumburg (Germany) and elsewhere.
Hone your skills through an inspiring programme of study
- The focus of your study will be developing a solid technique and building a broad core repertoire with an emphasis on deepening your understanding in matters of performance practice, historically informed techniques and their practical application today.
- Your course will also provide you with training in crucial skills required in the wider musical world. You will follow a syllabus with reading lists that cover three areas of repertoire per term and, in addition, receive training in church music skills, Royal College of Organists (RCO) diploma preparation, improvisation and continuo. Tuition is both in-house and on the acclaimed, mechanical-action Walker organ in St Chad's Cathedral.
- You will receive a first-study lesson with your principal teacher each week during term, plus occasional lessons with visiting specialists. In addition to first-study lessons, all undergraduates attend weekly performance classes and fortnightly choral conducting classes. Regular study trips to France, Germany and Holland include visits to historic instruments and masterclasses given by distinguished tutors and performers.
Apply for prestigious scholarships
- As a Conservatoire student, you will have the opportunity to gain additional hands-on experience by applying for scholarships - including those at Birmingham's two cathedrals and the prestigious organ scholarship at Town Hall Symphony Hall. You will receive details of the organ scholarships available after your application has been received. An entry scholarship for continuo players is also available.
- Organ scholarships are offered by St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham Cathedral, Coventry Cathedral, St Mary's Warwick and other regional cathedrals and local churches. There is also an opportunity for an appropriately experienced student to take a role in Symphony Hall’s educational programme, with opportunities to demonstrate the instrument to a variety of audiences.
- Continuo scholarship
- One of our two Corton-Hyde Early Music Scholarships is available to support talented undergraduate or postgraduate keyboard students wishing to further their studies in Early Music.
Organ competition success
- Charles Francis, Winner, IAO/RCO National Organ Competition, 2022
- Callum Alger, Finalist, St Albans International Organ Competition, 2021
- Ben Bloor, Finalist, St Albans International Organ Competition, 2021
- Ben Bloor, Second Prize, Boston Bach International Organ Competition 2021
- Merle Hillmer, Winner of the Cambridge Academy of Organ Studies (CAOS) Competition, 2020
- Charles Francis, The Second Dame Gillian Weir Messiaen Prize 2019
- Josh Hughes, Third Prize, Northern Ireland International Organ Competition 2019
- Callum Alger, IAO/RCO National Organ Competition 2018
- Callum Alger, The First Dame Gillian Weir Messiaen Prize 2018
- Ben Bloor, Second Prize, Boston Bach International Organ Competition 2018
Centre of excellence
Organ music plays a vital role in the life of the city of Birmingham, with regular profile recitals given by City Organist Thomas Trotter and guests on the Town Hall's historic instrument by William Hill and Symphony Hall's newer Klais organ. Birmingham is also home to the libraries of the RCO and British Institute of Organ Studies. The city therefore offers a unique combination of resources and opportunities.
The arrival of a new instrument by Marc Garnier at the University of Birmingham in 2014 has also put the city firmly on the map as a centre of excellence in organ building, performance study and research.