Durham University - University College Choral Scholarships

Benefit

You will be one of about 230 EUR per year (£200) scholarship holders in the Castle Chapel Choir at University College, the oldest college at Durham University. The scholarship is valid for up to 3 years and is paid out over the course of each semester. However, the choir offers you far more than just money. You will sing every Thursday at Choral Evensong and at other services in the chapel, perform regularly at Durham Cathedral, and take part in an annual summer tour abroad (recent trips have included Sicily, Rome, Scandinavia and Prague). Every year, the choir also spends time in London, where it sings at Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and St George’s Chapel in Windsor. You’ll make recordings, give concerts throughout County Durham and have the opportunity to perform as soloists at concerts.

Eligibility

• University: You are studying at Durham University or are about to start your studies there.
• Degree level: Open to students in their undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
• Field of study: Open to all disciplines. The choir members come from a wide range of degree programmes.
• Nationality: Open to all nationalities.
• Singing ability: You’re good at sight-singing, which means you can sing music from a score you’ve never seen before. Choral experience is an advantage, but not a requirement.

How to apply

Auditions take place during the induction week at the start of the academic year. You will take a voice and range test, sing two contrasting pieces sight-reading (one older polyphonic piece and one modern piece) and have a brief interview with the chaplain, the music director and the organ scholarship holders. Details of the auditions will be announced on the choir’s Instagram page.

How realistic are your chances?

There are only 16 places – four per voice type – so the number is small. However, selection depends solely on whether you are studying in Durham and can sing. A strong ability to sight-sing is the real deciding factor. If you can confidently perform a score you’ve never seen before in your vocal range, your chances are good. The financial remuneration is modest, so most applicants are drawn by the tours, the performances in cathedrals and the opportunities to make recordings.