Places in the Choir are by audition. The main audition period for choral scholarships is the annual choral trials, held across the University each September. Auditions are held by the College, and applicants are also auditioned as part of a centralised system. Applicants then apply to read academic subjects offered by the College. A further audition period is held in October each year. The number of places available at each audition period varies each year, and will depend on the balance of the parts at the time. It may also be possible to join the choir at other times of the year, depending on availability. Members of other Colleges may be able to audition for available places in the Choir.
For organ scholarships, entry is through the University organ trials each September. Candidates are interviewed for academic places in the University at the same time.
For more information on the central University Admissions and Awards system, please see this page on the Music Faculty’s website.
This page gives further details of the responsibilities and benefits of choral and organ scholarships at Worcester.
Choral Scholarships
Duties:
Worcester choral scholars rehearse for an hour before each service and at a weekly plenary rehearsal. Other rehearsals take place in preparation for major performances. All scholars take part in all activities of the Choir for which they are engaged.
Four section-leader scholarships are available for graduate students with more experience, offering mentoring to junior members.
Benefits:
In recognition of the commitment of a choral scholar, and to enable students to develop a wide range of skills, Worcester College provides its choral scholars with:
- Singing lessons
- A basic £300 stipend
- Double stipend for choir administrator and choir librarian
- Four Section-leader scholarships at £1,500 for graduate scholars
- Free meals after each service, including at least two full formal meals a week
- Annual tours with the choirs and regular trips within the UK and abroad
Organ Scholarships
Duties:
The different activities of the two top lines, the level of singing in the lower voices and the number of services and engagements for all the choirs means that the duties and responsibilities of a Worcester organ scholar are a serious commitment. The Director of Music guides them through each week and helps them think through choral training and organ repertoire, so that by the time an organ scholar is in their third and senior year, they are able and encouraged to take a leading role in conducting, planning and training the choirs alongside the Director of Music and it is this responsibility with both the choristers and mixed choir that makes this such a unique opportunity. The choirs at Worcester are auditioned and perform to a high standard, performing a huge span of repertoire including regular commissions.
A typical day for a Worcester organ scholar might involve tasks as varied as (in addition to academic work): an early morning rehearsal with the boy trebles, playing for Evensong, rehearsing with a choral scholar for a performance in a recital, contributing to the choir’s social media output, having an organ, conducting or singing lesson, and occasionally standing in for the Director of Music at a midweek Evensong.
Benefits:
In recognition of the commitment of an organ scholar, and to enable students to develop a wide range of skills, Worcester College provides its organ scholars with:
- Organ lessons
- Conducting lessons
- Singing lessons
- A £500 stipend plus a £200 annual music budget
- A large suite of rooms in College with a piano
- Free meals after each service, including at least two full formal meals a week
- Financial support towards study trips
- Separate help and tuition towards organ diplomas
- Annual tours with the choirs and regular trips within the UK and abroad
Further information
The Director of Music, Caius Lee (caius.lee@worc.ox.ac.uk), is always pleased to hear from and meet potential candidates, and is happy to answer any questions.