History - The Royal School of Church Music was founded by Sir Sydney Nicholson in England in1927, with the goal of raising the quality of music in the local parish church. Today, RSCM is recognized worldwide as a non-profit organization of 11,000+ Affiliates and Friends of all denominations who share common objectives. Theses objectives are:

• to promote the use of music to enrich Christian Worship.
• to provide practical means of achieving the highest possible performance standards in worship.

The most important aspect of The Royal School of Church Music Chorister Training Program is its ability to organize the training of singers from elementary school age through adulthood.

The Chorister Training Program’s goal is to increase motivation so that skills may be learned and personal qualities developed with enjoyment. This Training Program is not about learning rudiments or making the grade. It is about making music with confidence and expertise. It enables the individual singer to develop within the choral group, gaining skills, confidence and self-awareness as a singer, musician and a member of a group. It goes beyond vocal, choral and musical training, to show how the choir can be a more effective part of the church.

The main feature of the program is the Individual Proficiency Levels. The program is divided into levels.

• Light Green
• Dark Green
• Light Blue
• Dark Blue
• Red
• Yellow

At each level assessments are made through 6 basic categories:

• Using the Voice Well: Vocal Skills
• Musical Skills and Understanding: General Music Skills
• Repertoire: Understanding the Pieces the Choir Sings
• Belonging to the Choir: Commitment and Understanding
• Choir in Context: Understanding the role of music and the choir within the context of the church community
• Christian Education: Elements such as understanding the Festivals and Seasons of the Liturgical Year and the Names of the Parts of the Church

The first level begins with basic concepts. The following levels build on the skills learned in the prior level of achievement. Choristers that successfully complete all the requirements of their level are awarded medals with a corresponding ribbon that is worn with their robes.

RSCM also provides an optional parallel system of awards designed to be assessed through formal examinations: these are called the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. Successful candidates are entitled to wear a prestigious medal cast in the appropriately colored metal (bronze, silver or gold), and these are worn on distinctive ribbons.

The East Woodstock Choristers were founded in 2000 and are considered an integral part of the music program. The choristers, all aged 7-15, sing alone and with the Adult Choir and Sunday School Choir throughout the program year (September-June). Rehearsals take place Friday afternoons from 3:30-5:30 pm.

In addition to their service schedule, the choristers also have the opportunity to participate in regional choir festivals and summer programs of The Royal School of Church Music in America (RSCM).

Admission to the East Woodstock Choristers is by a Parent/ Chorister Interview and is open to children in Grades 3 – up with unchanged treble voices (soprano and alto). Interviews may be scheduled throughout the year. Those interested in scheduling an interview should contact the Director of Music, Kristen Wedegis, at the church office at (860) 928-7449, or via e-mail at .