Music is an important part of the life of St Oswald’s Church in Ashbourne, especially through the musical ministry of the choir. We are developing our choral scholarships here, building on the success of the scheme so far.
Ideally, 4 students (‘scholars’) will have mentored places in the choir, alongside more experienced singers. This will optimally be one per voice part (soprano/alto/tenor/bass); the expectation is that you will be Y10 and upwards (i.e. age 15-18).
Scholars will be expected to regularly attend choir practice, and at least one of the two services on Sunday. You will gain experience of a vast range of repertoire, improved choral singing skills, teamwork with adults, regular gold standard music in services and excellent sight-reading skills. This gives you experience to enable you potentially to apply for a choral scholarship at university, and to add to UCAS forms when applying for university/college. In return, we will offer scholars 30 minutes of tuition, at the end of choir practice. This will cover sight reading, aural skills, and general music perception. A basis for this will be the RSCM Voice for Life Singing Awards – St Oswald’s has had a good track record of young singers gaining Bronze, Silver and Gold awards (NB the Awards are about to be submitted for OFQUAL accreditation giving them value on a UCAS form).
You will receive an honorarium of £100 for the year plus £1 for each practice and service attended. St Oswald’s church choir has an excellent reputation for good music sung in our church as well as for weddings elsewhere, services in cathedrals (including York Minster, Salisbury and Hereford) and concerts too.
Please find out more by contacting Catherine Pettingale at music@ashbournechurch.org.uk. Application forms will be sent to you after the initial contact. I shall look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you.
Catherine Pettingale