The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) in Wales is running an online survey of the church music scene throughout the country. The survey, which can be found at www.rscm.com/wales,  aims to take a snapshot of what is happening in Sunday worship, and to give a picture of musical resources. The results will help to guide the RSCM’s support for its affiliated churches and members in Wales.  

The survey which is being distributed to all RSCM affiliated churches and members, asks a variety of questions, from the range of music sung at services and the number of children and adults in the choir, to the state of the organ and details of any music group.  It is the second time that an RSCM survey has been held in Wales; the last was in 2003.  “At the time I gather we had a very good return; in some churches music was flourishing, while in others it was clearly a challenge,” says Lindsay Gray, the Director of the RSCM, but former Headmaster of Llandaff Cathedral School.

Seven years on, the variety of ways in which the RSCM supports church music-making has increased through its range of music publications, magazines, training programmes such as Voice for Life, courses, training choirs and above all, local events. In Wales there are 130 churches affiliated to the RSCM and 80 individual members.  “Although this is primarily for our affiliates and members,  I hope as many churches as possible will take part,” says Lindsay Gray. “The responses will help the six area committees in Wales and the central administration to shape the support and training we offer to our affiliated churches and their musicians, be they from town or country.”

For more information on how to take part go to www.rscm.com/wales where responses can either be made online, or by downloading hard copy. The closing date is 1st September 2010. 

 
Notes for Editors 
The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) is an international ecumenical charity that educates, supports and enables musicians, composers and clergy in promoting sacred music in churches, schools and the wider community.  The RSCM publishes music and training resources (such as its popular Voice for Life training scheme for singers of all ages), and organises a wide range of courses, short workshops and activities. With over 8,000 affiliates, members and friends in over 40 countries it is supported by over 600 volunteers in area committees and a small team of staff based throughout the UK. More at www.rscm.com

A photograph of Lindsay Gray may be downloaded from our Picture Gallery.
Go to http://www.rscm.com/about_us/pictureGallery.php (Thumbnail panel 4)

For further media enquiries contact Stuart Robinson:
RSCM Media Relations Organiser &  Coordinator in Wales. srobinson@rscm.com    01492 556378   / 07831 827701