Organ Scholarships
An organ scholarship at Royal Holloway offers a fantastic opportunity to work, not only as an accompanist to an internationally renowned choir, but also to take responsibility as a conductor with the Founder's Choir. The organ scholars will receive training to help them accompany The Choir of Royal Holloway in all their services and concert engagements, including tours, recordings and live radio broadcasts. They will also act as a répétiteur for Chorus rehearsals and as a continuo player for certain concerts. Guidance in the art of choral conducting will also be given to help the organ scholars work with the Founder's Choir, a voluntary choir which sing the Sunday service and some of the College morning services. There are ample performance opportunities including for solo performances. Past organ scholars have attained prominent positions in many British cathedrals and public schools.
The chapel contains a 3-manual organ built by Harrison and Harrison in 1978 which is a remarkably diverse instrument voiced in a largely French style. There is also a new 3½ stop continuo organ built by Dutch organ builder Henk Klop, a new harpsichord and Kawai grand piano. There is also a 2-manual electronic instrument available for practice. The College is also the first UK University to be accredited by Steinway on account of the number of Steinway grand pianos on campus.
Organ Scholars will be expected to give general help with services, to deputise for the Director of Choral Music when needed, and to assist with organ recitals, and other programmes of music given in the Chapel. Organ scholarships are normally held for three years and there is usually one available each year. The maximum award has recently been raised to £1,500 per annum.
