THE Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) is launching a year-long campaign to invite more people to play and appreciate the organ.

The campaign, “Play the Organ Year 2025”, will feature First Encounter organ recitals, including, where possible, sessions designed for people new to the organ. “We know that there are many organs in beautiful churches which are underused; indeed, it is often a struggle to find enough people to play them for services,” the director of the RSCM, Hugh Morris, said.

“Hello? I’m interested in becoming an organ donor”

“So, Play the Organ Year is a wonderful opportunity to encourage people to try the organ for themselves, and to discover what it feels like to play an instrument that literally sits at the heart of their local communities. The RSCM is proud to be working with our friends at the Royal College of Organists [RCO] and other organisations in supporting this initiative, and we look forward to sharing the stories as they unfold.”

Free Play the Organ packs are available, containing detailed plans and resources for hands-on sessions suitable for anyone from a complete music novice to those with a little experience of piano or other keyboard instruments.

The chief executive of the RCO, Sir Andrew Parmley, describes the organ as “a magnificent instrument unlike any other — powerful, versatile, visceral, and enormous fun to play . . . a unique and thrilling experience.

“But, with declining church attendances, drastic cuts in school music education, and ever smaller audiences for live performances, we know that fewer and fewer people are getting the chance to discover this for themselves.”

The Director of Music at Pembroke College, Cambridge, Anna Lapwood, is patron of Play the Organ Year, alongside a team of leading organists from around the UK. “I hope that as many of us as possible take up the challenge to throw open the doors and make 2025 the year we share this remarkable experience with a record number of people,” she said.