The Bishop of Hertford commissioned Alexander and Ethan
as St Saviour's first choral scholars.
CHORAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Following the success of the inaugural Choral Scholarships in 2024, the PCC are offering an additional four scholarships from September 2025 for young people who are enthusiastic singers with excellent potential in School Year 10 or above (soprano, alto, tenor and bass).
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Choral commitments at St Saviour's are designed to dovetail with the Abbey Youth Choir (formerly Abbey Singers) to allow ex-cathedral choristers to participate in both groups with no conflict of interest. Scholars become part of a lively, supportive and caring parish community. The scheme offers young people the opportunity to work within a group of professional and experienced musicians.
As well as making a significant contribution to the musical life of St Saviour’s, Choral Scholars receive professional guidance from the music staff. Recent treble scholars have gone on to develop Tenor and Bass ranges as their voices have been nurtured and developed. This invaluable experience with the ‘changing voice’ can be carried forward to future scholarships at university and further afield. This year, one of St Saviour’s choral scholars has been awarded a gap year Bass choral scholarship at Portsmouth Cathedral.
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CHORAL SCHOLARSHIP PATHWAYS
Two pathways are offered dependent on each singer’s prior choral and sight-reading
experience and their preferred level of commitment and remuneration.
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1. Choral Scholar (Endowed)
An annual bursary of £300 is offered to each endowed Choral Scholar. Endowed Scholars are excellent singers who are a full part of the regular choir and commit to attend a minimum of two Sundays per month – (i.e. Friday practice plus Sunday service with warm-up) - plus special events such as Christmas and Easter liturgies. The bursary is paid termly. This route offers a higher level of remuneration and some opportunities for additional payment. Exceptional leave of absence may be requested by advance agreement with the Director of Music.
2. Choral Scholar (Affiliate)
Affiliate scholarships are for experienced singers with excellent sight-reading ability and offer flexibility for those who are seeking a lesser attendance commitment or who wish to combine choir with other activities The remuneration scale is pro rata per session (a session is a weekday practice plus Sunday service). The scholars schedule will be agreed in advance in consultation with the Director of Music. Applicants should be in School Year 10 or above and be able to demonstrate a good level of musicianship. Where choral experience is limited, a vocal audition will determine ability. If appointed, all scholarships will be reviewed after one term and annually thereafter.
INTERESTED? What to do next....
Please get in touch to let us know that you are interested in applying for a Choral Scholarship, or if you have any further questions, and we can take it from there!
Please email Carol, or ring for a brief chat:
c.j.crook@icloud.com
07768 658216
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