Ouseley Church Music Trust - Ouseley Scholarship

What you get

You receive £600 per year (about 700 EUR) for two years as the Ouseley Scholar in the choir of St Michael and All Angels' Church, Mount Dinham, in central Exeter. The money comes from the Ouseley Church Music Trust, a charity that supports Anglican choral music. You also sing with an experienced mixed choir, get the chance to conduct the choir and play the organ, and can use the church's Victorian pipe organ for practice by arrangement. In return you commit to weekly Tuesday rehearsals (19:00-20:30), Sunday Mass (from 10:00), monthly Choral Evensong on the first Sunday, plus feast days and special services. You also help run the music library and promote concerts.

Who can apply

• Level: You are a university student or a graduate.
• Where you study: Any university, as long as you can attend the rehearsals and services in Exeter.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Musical experience: You have solid experience of singing in the Anglican choral tradition.
• Sight-reading: You can sing from a score you have never seen before.
• Safeguarding: You complete the Church of England's basic safeguarding training (Level C0) within three months of starting.

How to apply

Email the Music Team to express your interest. Selection is by audition, usually held in September, before or after an open choir practice.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a single award for one scholar with real Anglican choral experience who can sight-read and commit to weekly rehearsals and services in Exeter. The eligible pool is small, so if you are a strong singer who clearly fits those demands, your prospects are good. Contact the choir early, as the audition happens once a year in September.