The choir offers an Organ Scholarship (junior and senior) and four Choral Scholarships (SATB) for each academic yeaer, offering the chance to play or sing at a high level and gain valuable experience in choral music. These are aimed at sixth-form students or those on pre-university gap years.
An information leaflet is available to download here:
Organ and Choral Scholarships Leaflet
Scholars sing or play alongside the experienced Director and members of the choir, gaining familiarity with the whole range of Anglican repertoire, improving sight-reading and other musical skills. The scholarships are therefore invaluable preparation for those pursuing Choral or Organ Awards at University.
ORGAN SCHOLAR
Organ Scholars assist and observe Simon Hogan, the Organist to the Cathedral Singers, as well as accompanying the choir, conducting and playing voluntaries. They benefit from close tuition and guidance, and have the experience of playing the Cathedral’s two instruments during services.
It is therefore invaluable preparation for a University Organ Scholarship, and previous holders have gone on to hold scholarships including St John’s College, Cambridge, Jesus College, Cambridge, and Oriel College, Oxford, as well as cathedral Director of Music positions.
CHORAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Benefits of the scholarship include the opportunity to perform a varied and exciting repertoire alongside experienced singers, an education in the choral repertory which will stand scholars in good stead for future choral applications, regular solo opportunities, the chance to improve sight-reading skills, and regular opportunities to sing at other venues, including foreign tours, for which expenses are paid. For interested candidates, opportunities to conduct can also be arranged.
The scholarship provides invaluable preparation for those considering applying for university choral scholarships, and would therefore suit sixth-formers or those embarking on pre-university gap years. Former scholars have gone on to choral awards at King’s College, Cambridge, Clare College, Cambridge, and further study at Royal Northern College of Music.
HONORARIUM
Scholars are awarded an honorarium of £300 (organ)/£250 (choral) for the year, as well as subsidized or free travel and accommodation for the choir’s cathedral visits and tours (usually one or two a year).
DUTIES
Once appointed, it is hoped that scholars will want to attend as much as they are able in order to get the most experience out of their time with the Cathedral Singers, but as a minimum, we would expect attendance at around ten services per quarter.
When in session, the choir sings for the 6pm Evensong on six days a week, and at the 11am Eucharist on Sundays, with rehearsals preceding.
The choir sings principally in the school holidays and at half term – as well as occasional services during school terms. The choir also gives a summer and winter concert, and tours and records regularly.
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re interested in applying to the scheme, please email Hilary Punnett (Director) on hilary.punnett@chch.ox.ac.uk with a few lines about your singing experience, and your voice part. If suitable, we will invite you to an audition, which will consist of the singing of some pre-prepared pieces, plus some sight-reading and range tests. Auditions take place in July each year.
If you have any questions about the scheme, or if you’re wondering whether you might be suitable, please get in touch with Hilary via email at hilary.punnett@chch.ox.ac.uk.
