Choir member receives honour

MANY congratulations to Pat Lynch, Secretary of RSCM Scotland who also happens to sing alto with RSCM Scottish Voices, and to Matthew Beetschen, Chair of RSCM Scotland, who are each to be awarded the honour of Associate of the Royal School of Church Music (ARSCM) at the RSCM celebration Day service on 25th May 2013 in St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh, a service at which our choir will be singing.

Well done to both of them!

The full press release on the RSCM Website relating to the 2013 honours is as follows:

Two well-known church musicians are among those to receive honorary awards from the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) next year. Lindsay Gray and Gordon Appleton, who both worked for the RSCM, are to receive Fellowships (FRSCM). Other recipients include cathedral organists from Scotland, New Zealand and South Africa. The main awards will be presented at a special service in St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh on 25th May 2013.

Honorary awards are conferred by the RSCM Council for outstanding contributions to church music, and range from Fellowship (FRSCM) and Associateship (ARSCM) to Honorary Membership and Certificate of Special Service. Nominations are received from RSCM volunteers all over the world.

The RSCM has the power to confer awards and diplomas - Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music (FRSCM) is awarded for achievements in church music and/or liturgy of international significance, or for exceptional musical and/or liturgical work within the RSCM. Associate of the Royal School of Church Music (ARSCM) is awarded for achievements in church music and/or liturgy of national significance, or for important musical and/or liturgical work within the RSCM. Honorary member of the RSCM (HonRSCM) is awarded for exceptional or very significant work that has contributed to the cause of church music and/or liturgy at international or national levels, or within the RSCM, but which is not primarily musical or liturgical. Certificate of Special Service is given for significant administrative work as a voluntary officer or member of staff within the RSCM; or an award for a significant contribution to church music and/or liturgy at a local level.

Two Fellowships (FRSCM) are being awarded in 2013; Lindsay Gray (from Cardiff) was Director of RSCM from 2008 until 2012. Before that he was Headmaster of Llandaff Cathedral School, where he founded and directed the cathedral girls’ choir. Lindsay is described by the RSCM Council as an outstanding director, and has raised the profile of the RSCM nationally and internationally. Gordon Appleton (from Ripon) worked for the RSCM for nineteen years in several senior posts, including regional director and adviser in the north of England. He also directed RSCM Voices North, and played a key role in the development of church music in Australia, South Africa and Europe.

Those receiving Associateships (ARSCM) include two from Scotland. Matthew Beetschen has been Director of Music and Organist at Dunblane Cathedral since 1992, where he has built up a large voluntary choir. Pat Lynch has served as Secretary of RSCM Scotland, and has provided training and worship resources for the Scottish Episcopal Church. David Iliff is being honoured for outstanding editorial work on RSCM publications including photocopiable choral resources such as The Carol Book and Songs, Psalms & Spirituals. David has recently retired as Director of Music at Malvern Priory.

Barry Williams who advises the RSCM on legal and contractual issues, and relationships between clergy and musicians, is to be made an Honorary Member of the RSCM (HonRSCM).

Commenting on the 2013 Awards, Andrew Reid, Director of the RSCM says, “There are so many people who give of their time and talents to sustain music in worship that it would be impossible to recognise them all. Nevertheless, it is a great privilege for the RSCM to celebrate these particular musicians whose dedication to music in their communities and spheres of influence has profoundly affected the worship of others.”

Awards will be presented at a special Celebration Day service in St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh on Saturday 25th May 2013. "We always enjoy Celebration Day each year,” says Lord Brian Gill, Chairman of the RSCM Council and Scotland’s most senior judge. “It is our opportunity publicly to honour those whose unselfish efforts have advanced the work of the RSCM, both at home and abroad. I am looking forward to welcoming everyone to Scotland!”

The full 2013 list of those to receive Honorary Awards from the Royal School of Church Music is as follows:

Fellows of the RSCM (FRSCM)

Gordon Appleton has given outstanding service to the RSCM and to church music over more than 30 years, most recently as Director of Voluntary Networks and Regional Music Adviser for the North of England. Gordon has also directed RSCM Voices North with distinction, led RSCM courses and played a key role in the development of church music in Australia, South Africa and Europe.

Lindsay Gray has been an outstanding Director of the RSCM. From a significant career in education he has maintained a passionate commitment to nurturing the musical abilities of young people, and has sought to ensure the future of church music by training the next generation of musicians. He has raised the profile of the RSCM nationally and internationally, worked hard to invigorate the network of volunteers and has been an excellent leader and motivator.

Associates of the RSCM (ARSCM)

Matthew Beetschen has been Director of Music and Organist at Dunblane Cathedral since 1992. As an organist he is a superb recitalist, advocate and teacher. As a choir trainer he has built up a large voluntary cathedral choir especially concentrating on musical training of boys and girls. Matthew has been Chairman of RSCM Scotland for eight years.

Malcolm Chalmers is Headmaster of St Martin’s Preparatory School in Johannesburg and Master of Music at St Boniface, Germiston, South Africa. He has served as Chairman of the Northern Branch of the RSCM in South Africa for five years, and has initiated youth choral programmes, singing festivals and three national Summer Schools.

David Iliff has done outstanding editorial and type-setting work on the RSCM’s photocopiable resources The Carol Book, The Carol Book Supplement, Season by Season, and Songs, Psalms & Spirituals. David has recently retired as Director of Music at Malvern Priory, concluding a 50-year career directing music in churches.

Timothy Lees has been an outstanding music director and organist at the Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and an invaluable member of the RSCM Eastern Cape Branch. Timothy was Royal Organist for the Sultan of Oman 1990–2001 and has been Director of Music in several schools in the UK.

Pat Lynch has made an outstanding contribution to church music in Scotland over many years, particularly to the Scottish Episcopal Church, providing resources for worship and cantor training. She has served as secretary of the RSCM Scotland Committee from 2005 to 2012, running courses and training days as well as handling administration.

Michael McConnell has given 50 years’ service to church music at St Joseph’s Cathedral Dunedin, NZ. Michael was a member of the RSCM Otago & Southland Branch committee for 30 years and in 1991 was appointed a Special Commissioner for the RSCM. He has contributed to RSCM Summer Schools and helped organize and lead RSCM festival services.

Dr June Nixon is known internationally as an organist, choir trainer and composer. In 2013 she will complete 40 years’ service as Organist and Director of Music at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, Australia.

Honorary Member of the RSCM (HonRSCM)

Barry Williams has advised the RSCM for over 20 years on legal questions, in particular relating to contracts and relationships between clergy, PCCs and musicians. He has also led RSCM workshops on these topics and co-authored with Robert Leach a helpful book Everything Else an Organist Should Know.

Certificate of Special Service

These are awarded at local events to those who have given outstanding service to their Branch or Area:

Nigel Bates, Oxford Area
Ken Diffey, Ely Area
Richard Hill, Northumbria Area
Michael Jones, Liverpool Area
Nigel Perona-Wright, Guildford Area
Paul Rose, Peterborough & Northampton Area
Derek Sadler, Liverpool Area
Marjorie Simmance, Lincoln Area
Hilary Spurgeon, Isle of Wight District
Barbara Stout, RSCM South Africa, Eastern Cape Branch
Brian Watson, RSCM Australia, NSW Branch
Ada Wrightson, Lincoln Area

Hadley Court Singers job vacancy

One of our choir members, who sings in the choir concerned, has asked that the following job advert is placed here, and we're happy to oblige.  Contact them through their website if interested or for further information.


WANTED: MUSICAL DIRECTOR, HADLEY COURT SINGERS, HADDINGTON, EAST LOTHIAN

The Hadley Court Singers is an SATB choir of around 35 to 40 singers based in Haddington, East Lothian. We perform regularly three times a year and in the past have sung at special events throughout Scotland. Although presently non-auditioning we can sing to a high standard, and enjoy exploring a wide range of musical styles from early classical to more challenging modern works. 

Our present Musical Director, Simon Nieminski, is, sadly, leaving us at the end of 2012 after 8 1/2 years of directing the choir. We are looking for someone willing to make a long term commitment to Hadley Court Singers and take us forward with energy, enthusiasm and originality of approach!