The Scottish Federation
of Organists

Organist Training Scheme Syllabus

The Royal School of Church Music
The Scottish Federation of Organists
The Scottish Churches

SCOTS
Scottish Churches Organist Training Scheme

General Notes relating to all three Stages

Examination Music

Service Music - Any liturgical publication pertaining to any tradition of worship may be used.  The list in Appendix A, which gives volumes in common use in three major churches, is a guide only.  Candidates need not restrict themselves to their own liturgy or order.  SCOTS encourages its candidates to widen their experience of different liturgies and practices as much as possible.

Anthems and Solos - Any edition may be used.  All the anthems in the syllabus can be found in The New Church Anthem Book (RSCM).  Accompaniments to solos may be set for any pitch of voice.

Voluntaries - Any edition may be used, provided it is not simplified or abbreviated.

Improvisation - revised requirements

The improvisation component has been introduced to meet the need for occasional music in a service to cover movement or maintain the sense of worship in a hiatus. It is to help organists gain confidence in playing without written music, organising the music mentally as one goes along. The intention is not to produce experts but rather musicians who are willing to 'have a go' when this would be desirable.

There are two ways of satisfying this requirement - at an assessment or at a training day. For an assessment, the improvisation can be planned in advance, and it is acceptable that it be memorised. The candidate may have the musical idea and a simple plan of the improvisation on the music desk. Alternatively, the candidate may satisfactorily take part in a workshop or workshops on one or more training days, showing that (in the opinion of the tutor) they are able to make an attempt when the need arises.

Syllabus

Stage 1

Candidates with some keyboard skills but no organ experience should first work through a tutor such as Percy Buck's The First Year at the Organ (Stainer & Bell).  Other tutors may be used in consultation with advisers.

Section A - Hymns and Songs

Play three hymns / songs from List 1 and three from List 2, and include an introduction to each.  The pedals need not be used.  Alternatively, candidates may opt to do Section E which includes service music.

List 1

Capetown
Bunessan
Quem Pastores
Beach Spring
Martyrs
Old Hundredth
Ravenshaw
Winchester Old

List 2

Come to me
Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks …
Amazing Grace
As the deer pants
Be still, for the presence of the Lord
Christ's is the world
make me a channel
Jesu tawa pano

Section B - Voluntaries

Play two contrasting voluntaries chosen from the volumes listed below.  They must each be at least one page in length.

Organ Music for Manuals Books 1-6 (any book) ed. C. H. Trevor (OUP)
Old English Organ Music for Manuals Books 1-6 (any book) ed. C. H. Trevor (OUP)
Music for Solemn Moments for Manuals (Mayhew)
The Oxford Book of Wedding Music for Manuals (OUP)
Haydn, Pieces for Musical Clock (Associated Board)
Alain, 5 Pièces Faciles (Leduc / United Music Publishers)
A Graded Anthology for the Organ, Book 2, ed Marsden Thomas (Cranmer)

It is recognised that from time to time some of the above titles may not be available.  Try RSCM Music Direct (see the bottom of this page) in case of difficulty.

Section C - Improvisation

The improvisation will be prepared in advance.  It will use an idea or material suggested by one of the hymns or service music offered for the assessment. It should be approximately 30 seconds long, and should display elements of phrasing and structure.  An accompaniment is not required at this stage. See above for the two alternative ways of satisfying this requirement.

Section D - Viva Voce

Answer questions on:

    1.    The layout and use of the organ
    2.    Musical signs and terms found in the items prepared
    3.    Appropriate use of the items prepared in worship

Section E - Hymns and Songs with Service Playing

**This section is an alternative to Section A

Play a total of five hymns / songs selected from BOTH the lists in Section A plus any one of the following:

A Gospel or Memorial acclamation
The Lord's Prayer
A Blessing
An extended Amen
A Taizé refrain

Section F - Pedals

This applies only to those who have a pedal board on the instrument on which they practice.

    1.    Play the theme (bars 1-8) of J. S. Bach's Passacaglia in C minor - BWV 582

2.    Play the bass part only on the pedals of one of the hymns chosen in Section A.

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Stage 2

Section A - Hymns and Songs

Play three hymns / songs from List 1 and three from List 2, and include an introduction to each.  One item to be played with manuals and pedals if a pedalboard is available.

List 1

Crimond
Angel Voices
Dundee (French)
Lobe den Herren
Lyngham (Desert)
Monks Gate
Slane
St Denio

List 2

Noel Nouvele
Give me oil in my lamp
The Servant King
Mallaig Sprinkling Song
Jesus is Lord
Living Lord
The Lord is loving
Here I am, Lord (I, the Lord of sea)

Section B - Voluntaries

Play two contrasting voluntaries.  They must be at least one page in length, make use of the pedals if these are available, and be chosen from two different books taken from the selection below:

J. S. Bach, An Album for manuals only ed. Lethbridge (OUP)
Seasonal Chorale Preludes ed. Trevor (OUP)
Short and easy Pieces for Organ ed. Trevor (OUP)
An Easy Organ Album (OUP)
A Second Easy Album for Organ (OUP)
Wine of Peace Camilleri (Roberton)
Voluntary in C Pepusch (Universal Edition)
Three Pieces for Organ Sandy Small (Fagus-music)

It is recognised that from time to time some of the above titles may not be available.  Try RSCM Music Direct (see the bottom of this page) in case of difficulty.

Section C - Improvisation

The improvisation will be prepared in advance.  It will use an idea or material suggested by one of the hymns or service music offered for the assessment. It should be 30-45 seconds long, display elements of phrasing and structure and have a simple accompaniment.  See above for the two alternative ways of satisfying this requirement.

Section D - Viva Voce

Answer questions on:
1.    Organ management
2.    Registration of the pieces prepared
3.    The choice of simple, appropriate music for worship

Section E - Service Playing

Play an accompaniment to a non-metrical setting of a psalm (see Service Music in Appendix A below for psalm types), OR, any part of a Mass / Eucharist / Communion setting.

Section F - Anthem or Solo accompaniment

Play the accompaniment of any three of the following.  The candidate is not required to use the pedals in this section.

Anthems

Ave Verum Corpus Edward Elgar
Blessed are the pure H. Walford Davies
Call to remembrance Richard Farrant
Come, Holy Ghost Thomas Attwood
Lead me, Lord S. S. Wesley
Lord, for thy tender mercy's sake Farrant
O Saviour of the World John Goss
Thou visitest the earth Maurice Greene

Solos

Ave Maria Bach / Gounod
Ave Maria Schubert
The Lord's Prayer Malotte
Panis Angelicus Franck
Pie Jesu Fauré


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Stage 3

Stylistic use and confident management of the organ will be expected.  Use of the pedal board is obligatory, and candidates are requires to show sensitive use of registration and of the expression pedal.

Section A - Hymns and Songs

Prepare the complete musical setting, including an introduction, of a total of six of the hymns / songs below, chosen from both lists.  The assessor will select three of these hymns / songs for playing at the assessment.

List 1

Crucifer
Jerusalem
East Acklam
Sine Nomine
Repton
Psalm 107 (Old 107th)
Thornbury
St George's, Edinburgh

List 2

Jubilate, everybody
Shine, Jesus, shine
You shall go out with joy
Sing of the Lord's goodness
Lord, you have come
Clap your hands (Psalm 46/47 John Bell)
Lord of the dance
God who is everywhere present on earth

Section B - Voluntaries

Play a balance programme of three contrasting pieces, taking not less than fifteen minutes playing in all.  One of these must be by J. S. Bach, chosen from one of the following volumes:

Eight Short Preludes and Fugues attrib. Bach (Novello Book 1; Bärenreiter 6497; Peters 8) (Prelude and Fugue must be played)
Orgelbüchlein (Bärenreiter, Vol 1)
Individually transmitted organ chorales (Bärenreiter, Vol 3)
Preludes, toccatas etc (Bärenreiter, Vol 5)

(The contents of the Bärenreiter vols 3 and 5 are given in Appendix B for those using other editions of Bach.)

The other two pieces to be chosen from the following:

Eleven Choral Preludes Johannes Brahms
Organ Book (Ten Pieces) Jean Langlais
Aria Flor Peeters
Voluntaries John Stanley
Hymn Prelude 'Rhosymedre' R. Vaughan Williams
Twenty-four Pieces (Livre 1 or 2) Louis Vierne
Elegy Thalbel-Ball
Meine junges leben Sweelinck
Nun danket Karg-Elert
Two pieces for organ Howells
Complete works Vol III (organ) Couperin
In the Mode Ronald Watson (Fagus-music, www.fagus-music.com)

(Any edition, provided not simplified)

It is recognised that from time to time some of the above titles may not be available.  Try RSCM Music Direct (see the bottom of this page) in case of difficulty.

Section C - Improvisation

The improvisation will use EITHER an original theme OR free treatment of any idea contained in the music offered for the assessment.  It will last at least 45 seconds.  The accompaniment will be complete and the structure clearly developed.  See above for the two alternative ways of satisfying this requirement.

Section D - Viva Voce

Answer questions about:
1.    The performance of the music chosen
2.    The chosen music's place in worship

Section E - Psalm / Canticle accompaniment

To play the accompaniments for two psalms or canticles chosen from the following categories.  Both pieces must be chosen from different categories, and must not have been offered at Stage 2.

Four- or five-note chants
Gelineau settings
Plainsong settings
Prose Psalm or Canticle (Anglican chant)
Responsorial setting
Composed setting e.g. Stanford in Bb
Sensitivity in tempo and regulation will be taken into account.

Section F - Anthem accompaniment

Choose and play the accompaniment of any two of the following anthems:

A Gaelic Blessing John Rutter
Ave Verum Corpus W. A. Mozart
Behold, the tabernacle of God William W. H. Harris
Come, ye faithful R. S. Thatcher
If ye believe John Goss
Let us now praise famous men R. Vaughan Williams
Lord, I trust thee G. F. Handel (ed. Darlow)
Mary's Magnificat Andrew Carter
Mine eyes for beauty pine Herbert Howells
My shepherd is Lord Harrison Oxley
Never weather-beaten sail Charles Wood
O Saviour of the world Arthur Somervell
Pray that Jerusalem C. V. Stanford
So they gave their bodies Peter Aston
The strife is o'er Henry G. Ley
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace S. S. Wesley

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APPENDIX A

Publications containing service music

Service music pertaining to any tradition of worship may be used.  The denominational headings below are merely a guide to the main sources in use in three of the churches, and are not a comprehensive list.  Denominations often share musical resources and SCOTS candidates are encouraged to explore traditions other than their own.

General

Common Ground
Mission Praise
Voice for Life series (RSCM)
Music for Common Worship Book 1 and other RSCM publications

Church of Scotland

Church Hymnary: Fourth Edition (CH4) and its predecessor CH3 include metrical psalms, various chants, Communion settings, Gelineau psalms, Taizé chants and other responsorial psalms.
Songs of God's People was an earlier hymn book supplement.
Common Ground, as well as being an ecumenical hymn book, was used as a supplement to CH3.

Scottish Episcopal Church

The New English Hymnal
Common Praise
The Common Worship Psalter with chants (RSCM)

A number of settings of the Eucharist are published by RSCM, e.g. The Addington Service; A People's Eucharist

Roman Catholic Church

Hymns Old and New, Liturgical Hymns Old and New (both Mayhew) include Mass settings, Taizé chants and responsorial psalms.
Responsorial Psalter (McCrimmon)
Laudate (Decani Press) includes plainsong canticles, responsorial psalms, Mass settings.
Resurrexit (Decani Press) includes service music for Lent and Easter
Gelineau 24 Psalms and a canticle / 30 Psalms and Two Canticles Gelineau (Grail)

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APPENDIX B

Contents of Volumes 3 and 5 of Bärenreiter Urtext Edition of Bach's Organ Works

Volume 3

TITLE and BWV number

Ach gott und Herr   714
Ach Gott vom Himmel sieh darein  741
Allein gott in der Höh sei Ehr    717
Allein gott in der Höh sei Ehr    711
Allein gott in der Höh sei Ehr    715
Christ lag in Todes Banden    718
Fantasia super Christ lag in Todes Banden    695
Christum wir sollen loben schon / Was fürchist du Feind, Herodes. sehr    696
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott    720
Erbarm dich mein, O Herre Gott    721
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ    722a
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ    722
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ    697
Gott, durch meine Güte    724
Gottes Sohn ist kommen    703
Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn    698
Herr Gott, dich loben wir    725
Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend    709
Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend    726
Herzlich tut mich verlangen    727
In dich hab ich gehoffet, herr    712
In dulce jubilo    729a
In dulce jubilo    729
Fantasia super Jesu, meine Freude    713
Jesus, meine Zuversicht    728
Liebster Jesu, wir sind heir    706
Liebster Jesu, wir sind heir    730
Liebster Jesu, wir sind heir    731
Lob sei dem, allemächitgen Gott    704
Lobt Gott, ihr Christen allzugleich    732a
Lobt Gott, ihr Christen allzugleich    732
Meine Seele erhebt den Herren    733
Nun freut euch, lieben Christen gemein    734
Num komm, der Heiden Heiland    699
O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig    -
Fantasia super Valet will ich geben    735
Valet will ich geben    735a
Valet will ich geben    736
Vater unser im Himmelreich    737
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her    700
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her    738a
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her    738
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her    701
Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten    691
Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten    690
Wir Christenleut habn jetsund Freud    710
Wo soll ich fliehen hin    694

Volume 5

TITLE and BWV number

Prelude and Fugue in C major    531
Prelude and Fugue in C major    545
Prelude and Fugue in C major    547
Prelude and Fugue in C minor    549
Prelude and Fugue in C minor    546
Fantasia and Fugue in C minor    537
Fantasia and Fugue (fragment) in C minor    562
Prelude and Fugue in D major    532
Prelude and Fugue in D minor    539
Toccata and Fugue in D minor    538
Prelude and Fugue in E minor    533
Prelude and Fugue in E minor    548
Toccata and Fugue in F major    540
Prelude and Fugue in F minor    534
Prelude and Fugue in G major    550
Prelude and Fugue in G major    541
Prelude and Fugue in G minor    535
Fantasia and Fugue in  G minor    542
Prelude and Fugue in A major    536
Prelude and Fugue in A minor    543
Prelude and Fugue in B minor    544

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