University of Bristol - St Paul's Church Organ Scholarship

What you get

As an organ scholarship holder at St Paul’s Church in Clifton, Bristol, you will receive approximately £1,450 per year (around 1,650 EUR). The scholarship is renewed annually, usually for the entire duration of your studies, provided you continue your studies and fulfil your duties. Each week, you will play and conduct on a 29-registered organ with two manuals and a pedalboard, and lead the University of Bristol’s church choir. As there is no separate music director, you will organise the church’s music yourself, supported by the choir and the clergy. This allows you to gain real-world experience within the Anglican choral tradition. You will also receive additional remuneration for playing at weddings and funerals. The scholarship is administered by St Paul’s Church in Clifton in conjunction with the Department of Music at the University of Bristol.

Who can apply

• University: You study, or are about to start studying, at the University of Bristol or the University of the West of England.
• Enrolment: You are studying full-time, either at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
• Field of study: Any subject. You don’t have to be a music student.
• Skills: You play the organ. You don’t need any experience as a choir director; you’ll learn that in your first year under the guidance of the Senior Organ Scholar.
• Religion: Whether you are religious or not, the award is presented regardless of your religious beliefs.
• Nationality: All nationalities welcome.

How to apply

Apply for your place at university via UCAS as usual. In addition, please send an email to St Paul’s Church in Clifton to request the scholarship application form, and complete it. The application deadline is 31 January; the programme starts the following October.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a post within a church linked to two specifically named universities in Bristol and to organ playing; consequently, only a small number of people are eligible for it. If you play the organ and would like to move to Bristol, your chances are good, and you do not need any previous experience as a choir director. Please apply by the deadline in January, as the post is filled only once a year.