Organ and Choral Scholarships
Organ Scholars
The Organ Scholarship at St Edmund Hall is an excellent opportunity to develop as organists and musicians under the guidance of the Director of Music and world-class organ and singing teachers.
The Organ Scholars accompany the College Choir for regular services on the College’s two organs: the Wood of Huddersfield main organ and the beautiful Robin Jennings chamber organ. As well as receiving training in choir accompaniment and solo repertoire, they are also taught conducting, harmony and counterpoint, and composition under the mentorship of the Director of Music and external teachers. The Organ Scholars also assist the Director of Music with running the College Choir and music in college more broadly, equipping them with broader leadership and organisational skills that are invaluable as professional musicians, or indeed in any other profession.
There are usually two Organ Scholars at St Edmund Hall. Organ Scholarships are usually available two out of every three years and are currently to the value of £300. Organ Scholarships are offered in the Intercollegiate Choral and Organ Schemes, which take place before UCAS applications. For more information, please see the University’s Choral and Organ awards website. Prospective applicants are always welcome to contact the Director of Music (director.music@seh.ox.ac.uk) and visit the College.
“The Organ Scholarship at Teddy Hall is a unique opportunity to incorporate your love of music into college life. The commitment level is relatively low in terms of playing but as Organ Scholar you will have a few other responsibilities such as choosing the termly music, planning rehearsals, and of course organising choir tours. The Organ Scholar also works closely with the JCR Arts and Culture Reps to foster the music culture in college. This involves putting on open mic nights, talent shows, and chamber music concerts. The beauty of music life in College is that if you have an idea, you will usually be able to find the funding and the people to make it a reality. The Scholarship allows for a lot of music development – all music lessons (organ, singing, and conducting) are paid for and there are always opportunities to pick up new skills. The Betts Association, an association for all the Organ Scholars throughout the University, provides regular masterclasses on various facets of organ playing and organises trips every year to explore the organs and musical styles of countries throughout Europe. It has been a very rewarding position and has given me experiences that I will never forget most notably conducting a service in the beautiful Pontigny Abbey, where St Edmund himself is buried.”
Viraj Alimchandani, Organ Scholar 2015-19
“The Organ Trials take place in mid-September each year and consist of organ playing auditions and academic interviews. You must know your chosen pieces back to front before coming for Trials as this will be the first thing the Directors of Music will hear at your audition. You should also familiarise yourself with the requisite keyboard skills tests and practise them. From my point of view, excellent sight reading is the best trait an Organ Scholar can have due to the high turnover of music each term. It may also be useful to get some conducting practice if you have never done it before as there will usually be a conducting audition as part of the Trials process. The most important thing is to keep calm throughout the week! It is very tiring and bound to wear you out, but the Directors of Music just want to see what your playing skills are like and whether they would like to work with you for three years during your time at Oxford.”
Viraj Alimchandani, Organ Scholar 2015-19
Choral Scholars
The College elects around eight Choral Scholars each year, who receive £200 every year in addition to all other choir benefits, as a reflection of their contributions as role models in the choir and musical life of the College. There are normally two Choral Scholars for each of the four voice parts in the Choir (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass), although there is some flexibility.
Organ Scholarships are offered in the Intercollegiate Choral and Organ Schemes, which take place before UCAS applications. For more information, please see the University’s Choral and Organ awards website. Prospective applicants are always welcome to contact the Director of Music (director.music@seh.ox.ac.uk) and visit the College.
