We’re delighted to continue our partnership with wonderful New Paths Music! The final of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire's Dame Gillian Weir Messiaen Prize takes place in Beverley Minster on 4th April in New Paths' joyous Spring Festival (newpathsmusic.com). Images from 2024 ©Matthew Johnson

We are keen to share our wonderful facilities with the wider community. In the past week: pupils of Gerdi Troskie from Bromsgrove School, Christchurch C of E Primary School & their teacher Sabah Arshad, & YOST on Sunday. More on the groundbreaking primary initiative later...

We had a wonderful week with Nathan Laube, our International Consultant. Stunning concert & inspirational tuition. Also lovely to see alumnus, Charles Francis, currently studying with Nathan at Eastman, & who gave a brilliant organ recital at St Chad’s Cathedral on Wednesday.

A handful of tickets has become available for Pier Damiano Peretti’s concert on Tuesday (25th) at 6 in the Organ Studio. This will be a memorable evening so we recommend snapping one up quickly! Please book to guarantee a seat – the ticket is free! bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/…

It has been a real pleasure to have maestro Pier Damiano Peretti Royal Birmingham Conservatoire this week! A sensational concert on Tuesday & full teaching schedule, both 1-1, & in a group focussed on stylus phantasticus. Throughout, insights and example have been revelatory & hugely inspiring.

This week 3 finalists head up to Beverley to compete for Royal Birmingham Conservatoire's Dame Gillian Weir Messiaen Prize. Hosted by wonderful New Paths Music, it takes place on Fri at 10 am in Beverley Minster! The finalists are… Harry Brown Thomas Howell Timothy Stewart Photo 3: Matthew Johnson

Congratulations to Thomas Howell on winning Royal Birmingham Conservatoire' 2025 Dame Gillian Weir Messiaen Prize. All competitors played spectacularly. Thank you to hosts New Paths Music & Beverley Minster - & judges Martin Baker, David Saint & Gerdi Troskie. Thank you Dame Gillian for the prize!

A stunning organ recital from our very own Dan Moult ended the spring term on a high! (I promise Dan is not writing this…) What a concert! What a term! Next term will be busy too – stay tuned. Thanks Colin & George for pictures, & Elli-Mae McGlone for the fabulous sketch.

Highly recommended! Wed 30th April/1.15pm - concert by brilliant Piotr Maziarz (MMus) Temple Church. Piotr was awarded this prestigious recital by the Keyboard Charitable Trust, & we are very grateful for their ongoing support of our organ students. keyboardtrust.org/event/piotr-ma…

OPEN DAY - Thursday 12th June Have our dazzling social media posts piqued your interest in the department? The organ slot is in the afternoon (1340), but other activities take place throughout the day. Please book here (there's no fee!): bcu.ac.uk/news-events/ca…

It was great to welcome Amy Littlewood to speak about performing under pressure. When not coaching, Amy plays with the CBSO & Orchestra of the Swan. Psychology impacts performance, wellbeing, & careers profoundly. It's the starting point for everything we do. Thanks, Amy!

We've had some fascinating seminars this week! On Monday, Dr Martin Perkins (head of HIP department) brought us up to speed with some of his research. Earlier today, our Ferguson scholars, Dale de Windt and Joseph Jacob, spoke about organ culture in South Africa and Nigeria.

Some memories of a very special study tour to Berlin. Immense thanks to our great friend Henry Fairs for his inspirational tuition, his help with organisation, & his fine company! We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Margaret & Graeme Saggerson Memorial Fund.

APPLICATION DEADLINE If you’d like to study with us from 2026 onwards, this is a gentle reminder the application deadline is on or around 1st October this year for November auditions. We are at capacity for 2025 – 26, but have space available from 2026.

The Lady of Clare organ (William Drake Ltd) had its 1st public outing at the Biennial International Conference on Baroque Music, hosted this year by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Congratulations to Alex Trigg, Thomas Howell, & Timothy Stewart for their superb performances.

With great pleasure we announce our 2025/26 season! 📅 HENRY FAIRS(Berlin) – 25 Nov 📅 ANNETTE RICHARDS(Cornell) – 3 Feb 📅 SIETZE DE VRIES (Groningen) – 24 Feb 📅 MATTHIAS HAVINGA (Amsterdam) – 10 March 🕕 All 18:00 in the Organ Studio 🎟️Booking will open next term Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

🎓 APPLICATION DEADLINE REMINDER 🎶 Thinking about joining us from 2026? This is a gentle reminder the application deadline is on or around 1st October this year for November auditions. ✨To set the stage, Organists’ Review features a major article about new RBC organs.

HoD, Daniel Moult had a busy summer! With PR slickness to rival Vogue, we don’t have a single photo from appearances in Caen or Nicolaaskathedraal, Amsterdam. But we DO have snaps from 1755 Silbermann in Dresden’s Hofkirche & teaching on European Organ Academy in Leipzig.

As the new academic year begins, we warmly welcome students from Canada, China, Japan, Nigeria, South Africa, Taiwan, England, Northern Ireland, Wales, & Scotland! 🎉 📸 1: Quite proud of this 📸 2: Organ Department Command & Control Centre

... It’s also the perfect week to celebrate RBC organists continuing the 'special relationship': David Rice @ Yale, & Tim Stewart @ Eastman with our International Consultant, Nathan Laube—following footsteps of alumni Charles Francis & Alex Jones.