[1] Its Patron as of May 2024 is King Charles III, following the previous monarch Queen Elizabeth II (who had held the position since 1947).

The School of English Church Music (SECM) was founded in 1927 by Sir Sydney Nicholson, and opened at Buller’s Wood in Chislehurst in 1929.

[4] The RSCM seeks to engage and encourage church music through awards, exams, publishing, residential courses and professional advice.

[5] Education programmes include the Voice for Life and Church Music Skills schemes, as well as the long-running residential courses.

Every year the RSCM Council confers Honorary Awards on those who have made outstanding contributions to church music.