ORGAN SCHOLARSHIPS
The Organ Scholars work under professional supervision of the Director of Chapel Music, Stephen Farr, and with the Chaplain. Organ Scholars are responsible for the training of the choir (including the choristers) and, in consultation with the Director of Chapel Music, for the music in the Chapel.
The Organ Scholarship is offered with a preference for candidates intending to read Music. The selection of the Organ Scholar takes place in September, when candidates will also undertake admissions tests and interviews to read Music. The College now seeks to elect an Organ Scholar every year, so that there is the potential for three Scholars in residence. Current vacancies may be viewed at http://www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/orgscholars/orgawards.shtml. The value of the Organ Scholarship is £200 pa, but the Scholar is paid a further £120 pa in remuneration for carrying out Chapel duties.
The Chapel organ has recently been renovated by Harrisons.
CHORAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Choral awards are available to male and female undergraduates and postgraduates of Worcester College reading for any Oxford degree. In addition, choral awards are occasionally given to singers who are not members of the College. The awards are called Choral Scholarships for undergraduates of the College and Choral Bursaries for everyone else. The number of awards available depends on the needs of the choir. The awards have a value of £200 pa.
You can apply for an award before you gain a place at Oxford (via the University-wide scheme for Choral Awards), and you can apply directly to the Organ Scholar when you are a student at the College. The University-wide scheme involves choral trials towards the end of September in the year you apply for entry to Oxford, and academic assessment and interviewing that take place in December as part of the normal application process. Only if the offer of a subject place is made in December may the Choral Award be confirmed. Full details are available in the University Prospectus.
Once you become an undergraduate or graduate student of the College you can also apply for an award. These awards are made following voice trials, held at the beginning of Michaelmas Term (October) each year.
Holders of choral awards are required to sing in the Chapel Choir at the services and rehearsals as indicated above, and may also be called upon from time to time to assist the Organ Scholars in other duties relating to the choir.
CHORISTERSHIPS
Admission to the choir is by voice trial, conducted by the Organ Scholars and arranged in consultation with the Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral School. Boys in school Year 3 audition and usually join as 'waiting' probationers during Trinity Term, before taking on the full schedule at the beginning of Michaelmas Term in Year 4. The choir is also welcomes boys in years 4 to 8, who may audition at any time of the year.
Whilst admission is by audition, advanced musical ability is not a prerequisite for acceptance. A good ear, a promising voice and enthusiasm for singing are the qualities that the choir is looking for in a potential chorister.
Please ask at the School Office for the present value of the Bursary.
Parents of boys wishing to join the choir should contact the Director of Chapel Music, Stephen Farr, or the Head of Music at the Cathedral School.