CHURCH MUSIC AUSTRALIA

Download recent copies of the national newsletter, Church Music Australia

December 2011 .pdf format
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April 2011 .doc format
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VOICE FOR LIFE SYLLABUS

Bronze and Silver Awards

The scheme is designed to encourage singers to achieve a high standard of vocal technique and musicianship. The Voice for Life scheme enables singers to develop their musical skills and understanding within the context of their choir or singing group.

The awards scheme provides opportunities for that development to be affirmed beyond the singer’s own church, through the RSCM’s regional and international network. Successful candidates are entitled to wear the prestigious medal, bronze or silver, according to the standard achieved. The awards are open to singers of all ages and denominations, and the syllabus has been carefully compiled with this in mind.

Download the Australian Syllabus for Bronze and Silver levels of the Voice for Life Training Scheme

HELPSHEETS

The ACT Branch has an ongoing project designed to help people with minimal skills who are trying to improve the standard of worship in their church, such as a pianist taking on an unforgiving organ, or a choir director starting a choir because there is no one else available. Our "Help Sheets" come in small doses - two sides of an A4 page in their printed form - and in three categories: "CD" for Choir Directors, "O" for Organists and "Rev" for Clergy (a recurring theme in the first two categories is a good working relationship with the clergy, and the "Rev" series looks at things from the opposite point of view).

More titles will no doubt be added in the future, and the existing topics will certainly be revised in the light of experience.

Please feel free to download any or all of these Help Sheets, and if possible try them out and let us have any comments or feedback. You can e-mail us at secretary.act@rscmaustralia.org.au

The following help sheets are available:

"CD" Series for Choir Directors

CD 1 Starting a choir (November 2002)
CD 2 Attendance and punctuality (October 2002)
CD 3 Choir practice: Beginnings (November 2002)
CD 4 Choir practice: The next steps (November 2002)
CD 5 The role of the choir in worship (November 2002)
CD 6 Choosing music for your choir (in preparation)
CD 7 Working with the clergy (November 2002)

"O" Series - for Organists

(intended mainly for organists who have had little or no formal organ tuition)

O1 Playing legato on the organ (October 2002)
O2 Rhythm and phrasing on the organ (November 2002)
O3 Working with the clergy (November 2002)
O4 Playing hymns (November 2002)
O5 Organ practice (November 2002)
O6 Organ music for voluntaries (November 2002)

"Rev" Series - for Clergy

Rev 1 Impoving your organist's skills (November 2002)
Rev 2 Getting the best out of a small choir (November 2002)
Rev 3 Hymns without instruments (in preparation)
Rev 4 The role of the choir in worship (in preparation)
Copies of any of these Help Sheets may be obtained from the Secretary of RSCM Australia, ACT Branch: Katharine Walker, 12 Renwick Street, Chifley, ACT 2606
Phone/Fax 6281 6666; E-mail: secretary.act@rscmaustralia.org.au

The ACT Branch has no objection to further copies being made for distribution to people who might be helped by them, provided they are made without amendment.

RSCM GUIDELINES ON CHILD PROTECTION

The RSCM guidelines on child protection can be downloaded here: .pdf

RSCM UK PUBLICATIONS

RSCM UK publishes educational material and church music. Visit their online shop for further information and to purchase items. RSCM members receive a discount.

Some of the most popular publications include:
Voice For Life Training Scheme - a 4-level choral training scheme,
Church Music Quarterly - the RSCM magazine,
Sunday by Sunday - the RSCM's quarterly liturgy and worship planner.

There are also anthems, carols and choral works available through the shop. Why not give the Choristers Companion as a gift to a budding young chorister.

RSCM UK also has resources to assist with planning events:
Organise a Young Voices Festival using the free Guidance Pack
Download resources for Music Sunday, 26 June 2011
Find information about music for church weddings