page content last updated 22nd July 2006

The Scottish Federation
of Organists

Scottish Churches Organist Training Scheme

 

; HOME

 

; SFO MAIN PAGE

 

; OFFICE BEARERS

 

; LOCAL SOCIETIES

 

; DAILY NEWS & NOTICES

 

; SFO NEWS ON LINE

 

; RECOMMENDED SALARY SCALES

 

; REDUNDANT ORGANS

 

; REVIEWS

 

; ORGAN ADVISERS

 

The Scottish Churches Organist Training Scheme (SCOTS) is designed to provide organists and keyboard players with the skills to accompany and lead worship in church with confidence.

If your play the piano - but they expect you to pull out all the stops or you don't just want to play tunes, you want people to sing or you feel lonely and unsupported up there in the organ loft you need . . .

The SCOTS scheme is devised and administered by a standing committee representing the Church of Scotland, the Royal School of Church Music and the Scottish Federation of Organists.

Members of denominations other than the Church of Scotland serve on the committee and the scheme is designed to be relevant to the needs of all denominations.

SCOTS was born in 1997 when discussions were held in Dunblane between the SFO and the Scottish Churches.  Looking to the model of organist training then operated by the Royal School of Church Music, it was agreed that a scheme along similar lines would be developed for Scotland. As the basis of such a scheme, the SCOTS Syllabus has recently (2004) been revised and updated, is thoroughly ecumenical in content, and is now a more comprehensive document, detailing the various practical elements of the organists' craft.  As organists (we call them candidates) tackle more complex music, they work through the three Stages as appropriate, receiving certificates on completion of each Stage. A key component of SCOTS is a local expert organist appointed by the SCOTS administrator to mentor the candidate. Not lessons as such, more a helping hand.

Knowledge of improvisation is increasingly desirable as a skill.  This is given appropriate emphasis in the new Syllabus and at training days which are held in various parts of the country – SCOTS training days are very popular and are open to all organists.

Those seeking more information about SCOTS can find it here and contact may be made to the Membership Secretary:

Miss Susan Wilson   Email: susanwilson@scotsorgan.org.uk

 

RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE