We are honoured and delighted to announce that His Majesty the King has accepted patronage of the Royal School of Church Music. The announcement from Buckingham Palace this week coincides with the first anniversary of His Majesty’s coronation.

The RSCM’s charitable mission to enable the flourishing of church music aligns closely with King Charles’ status as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and his deep love of music. The RSCM has a wide, international presence, and works in diverse contexts in the UK and worldwide.

On receiving the news, RSCM Chair, Phil Taylor said: “On behalf of the Council of the RSCM and all who work with us and support our work, I am delighted that His Majesty has accepted the Patronage of the Royal School of Church Music.

We believe this reflects the enduring and contemporary importance of church music and our work. The remarkable power of church music, as was enjoyed by millions of people across the world at the Coronation a year ago, was integral to that remarkable occasion. However, our ongoing engagement each week with cathedrals, churches and schools is central or our mission and why we were established.

As we approach our Centenary in 2027, this news is heartening for all our members, supporters and volunteers in the United Kingdom and overseas and we are most grateful to His Majesty for his commitment to our cause and work.”

RSCM’s Director, Hugh Morris said: “We are thrilled that the reigning monarch’s patronage of the RSCM will continue, first granted to us in 1947. We know that our work in supporting young people, music leadership and clergy leadership is even more vital now than it was then; and we look forward to supporting our members, the wider church and the wider community in the years ahead.”