Choral and Organ Scholarships (Exeter and locality)
In addition to the Chapel Choir, the University also has close performing relations with Exeter Cathedral and three local churches, each offering their own scholarship schemes. The awards available are of various values, depending on weekly duties.
If you are a University of Exeter student who will be studying at Exeter for a full academic year or longer, then you are very welcome to audition for the Chapel Choir. There is no age limit - mature students are welcome.
As a rough guide, the choral scholarships for 2017-18 were worth £300 per annum as well as extra fees for other services (weddings, concerts etc). The £300 scholarship was given in two halves through the academic year. The choir are also responsible for the music at graduation ceremonies, which bolstered the scholarship by a further £300.
The Collegiate Church of the Holy Cross, Crediton offers up to three Scholarships every year, each worth £875 per annum. The church is a magnificent Perpendicular Gothic building, boasting a very fine 3-manual organ built by Harrison & Harrison in 1921 (restored 2001). Crediton is a large town approximately six miles outside Exeter that has good transport links with the city (both bus and train).
The choir consists of around 20 adults and 20 girl and boy choristers. We maintain a wide-ranging and challenging repertoire, which we perform to a high standard. We sing at the weekly Sunday Eucharist in addition to Choral Evensong (once or twice each month) and occasional weekday evening services (festivals). There are two choir practices per week (one for the junior choristers and one for the whole choir) on Tuesdays and Fridays.
The choir is well-known outside Devon through its frequent cathedral visits and tours abroad, most recently to Germany (2005), Holland (2006) and the United States (1999 and 2007). We have also featured in radio and television broadcasts, including Christmas services on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Devon.
Some of our scholars have gone on to take up appointments and scholarships at cathedrals, major parish churches and Oxbridge colleges.
Our Scholarships are available to organists and singers (sopranos, counter-tenors, altos, tenors and basses). We usually appoint one organ scholar and up to two choral scholars at any one time. The purpose of the Organ and Choral Scholarships at Crediton is to support the work of the choir and maintain the standard of music making in the church. The Scholarships are quite flexible and offer many opportunities: besides singing, Scholars have the chance to direct the choir, perform, organize concerts and recitals, help with the individual training of Junior Choristers and take part in the choir’s various social activities.
Scholarships are normally held in conjunction with degree courses (undergraduate or postgraduate) at Exeter University, but we also welcome gap-year scholars. The Scholarships are normally tenable for up to three years, subject to a yearly review. All applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check.
If you would like to find out more, please contact the Director of Music, Mark Perry by email on: admin@creditonparishchurch.org.uk
He will be more than happy to answer any questions. Alternatively, please contact him by writing to:
The Director of Music,
The Parish Office,
The Boniface Centre,
Church Street,
Credition, Devon EX17 2AH
Our website: www.creditonparishchurch.org.uk
Exeter Cathedral stands at the heart of Exeter and is one of the finest Gothic buildings in Europe. The worship in the Cathedral has been sung since Medieval times, and our choir is central to our community and ministry.
Choral Scholarships in the Cathedral Choir are available for Counter-tenors, Contraltos, Tenors and Basses. There are 6 choral scholars in the choir, singing with a similar number of Lay Vicars (professional, adult singers) and 40 boy and girl choristers (either boys or girls in each service). Choral Scholarships are normally held in conjunction with degree courses at Exeter University (any subject). The Scholarships are normally tenable for three years, though this may be extended for an extra year in certain circumstances. Scholarships are also open to postgraduates for one year or more. Each Scholarship, payable by the Dean and Chapter, will be worth £3,700 per annum (2022-23) and will be paid in monthly instalments. Subsidised accommodation in the Cathedral Close is available for some Choral Scholars, generally offered in second and subsequent years in the choir. Choral Scholars are required at all statutory choral services and rehearsals when the Lay Vicars are singing.
Further details and the scholarship application form can be found on the Cathedral website: https://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/about-us/vacancies/
Contact details for the Director of Music are:
Department of Liturgy and Music
1 The Cloisters
Exeter
EX1 1HS
Email: timothy.noon@exeter-cathedral.org.uk
Cathedral auditions will be scheduled by arrangement. For any further information or queries, please contact on (01392) 430923 or (01392) 255573.
The Church of St Michael and All Angels, Mount Dinham, Exeter
St Michael & All Angels is a daughter church in the University Parish of St David’s, a very short distance from the University campus. The liturgy is Anglo-Catholic, and music forms an important part of the worship. The choir is friendly and enthusiastic, numbers about twenty, and includes a high proportion of university students.
St Michael’s offers a number of scholarships for students, all of which are awarded in September following an audition process:
Choral Scholarships - £400 per annum
Choral Scholarships are available to university students with some prior experience of choral singing. Scholars will be expected to sing with the choir during term time, and will be able to provide a strong lead in their section.
Ouseley Scholarship - £600 per annum
The Ouseley Scholarship is available to a university student or graduate with extensive experience of choral music. In addition to singing with the choir, the Ouseley Scholar will have the opportunity to direct the choir and/or play the organ.
For more information, please contact Erika Borley (Director of Music) - music@stmichaelsmountdinham.org.uk.
St Peter's Tiverton offers four Choral Scholarships each year worth £720 + expenses. They are provided by the Viscount Amory Charitable Trust.
Our scholarships are unique in that they are designed to fit around your studies and university commitments. Therefore, we have, in reason, a flexible approach to which services you attend. Tiverton is only twenty minutes away from Exeter and transport can be arranged.
St Peter's church is the largest church in the town, dating back to 1073. We have an excellent choral music tradition with regular choral evensongs and special services throughout the year. Our choir is made up of around fifteen singers, with others joining us for our monthly Choral Evensong and other events. Our historic organ dates back to 1696, so there are opportunities for organists.
For further information, please contact the Parish through Chris Burford by emailing him at caburford@gmail.com.
