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Choral & Organ Entrance Scholarships |
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Royal Holloway offers a number of Choral Scholarships each year and one Organ Scholarship. It is not necessary for either Choral or Organ Scholars to read for degrees in Music. The scholarships are normally held for three years; the maximum award is £1,000 per annum (organ) and £500 per annum (choral). |
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Choral Scholars form the College Chapel Choir, an ensemble of 20 singers, which maintains a high standard. This choir undertakes a regular routine of services as well as representing the College further afield through concerts, broadcasts, recordings, and tours. Last year the choir sang a number of live Daily Service broadcasts for BBC Radio 4 and made a commercial recording in Douai Abbey. The choir also regularly deputises for cathedral choirs, and has recently sung at St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, St. George's, Windsor Castle, and Winchester Cathedral. Recent tours have taken the choir to Italy, Latvia, Malta, Belgium, and Poland, with future plans for the Far East and the USA. |
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Choral Scholars have gone on to sing professionally in opera (including WNO, ENO, ROH, and La Scala), in cathedral choirs, and in specialist vocal groups (including The Sixteen, The Tallis Scholars, Tenebrae, Gabrieli Consort, and The Clerkes of Oxenford). Organ Scholars have gone on to cathedral posts (including York, Winchester, Chichester, Liverpool, Newcastle, St. Edmundsbury, and Ely) and to Directorships of Music at public schools. |
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Choral singing in the College Chapel is undertaken by both the Chapel Choir and the Chamber Choir, an unauditioned choir of about 40 students open to people of all denominations. A week-day morning service is sung by alternate choirs at 8.45am, ending in time for students to get to 9.00am lectures. Choral Evensong is sung by the Chapel Choir on Thursdays at 6.15pm, and occasionally Choral Compline is sung. The Sunday evening service is sung by either choir and the musical contribution varies, with the choir playing a significant role in the Carol Services of Advent, Christmas, Passiontide, and on other occasions, such as the College Foundation Day. Choral Scholars rehearse from 6-7.15pm on Tuesdays, some Wednesdays, and before services on Thursday and Sunday. |
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Choral Scholars are expected to attend rehearsals and services and to provide assistance with the administration of the choir. Many choral scholars find opportunities to deputise in choirs in and around London alongside their scholarship.
Organ Scholars will have regular opportunities to conduct the choirs and will be given assistance in the preparation of accompaniments where required. The chapel organ is a 3-manual instrument, built by Harrison & Harrison of Durham in 1978, and a new chamber organ is being commissioned from the Dutch firm, Klop.
It is preferred, but not essential, for potential choral scholars to have had relevant experience in church singing. Good sight-reading skills are essential. |
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© Royal Holloway Chapel Choir
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