Musical scholarships
Choral scholarships
Local churches and cathedrals offer scholarships to our students who sing in their choirs. The amounts available and commitment required vary with each institution but full details and contact information is available on their websites. An interview or audition is required.
Many of our students (particularly from the Department of Music) have been successful members of the choirs over the years. These are tremendous opportunities to develop high-level experience as well as great ways to maintain and deepen the university's links with the local community.
It is not necessary to be awarded a scholarship to sing with the choirs and the scholarships are open to all students.
Barber organ scholarship
The Barber Organ Scholarship was founded in 1978 by the Barber Trust. Thanks to additional and generous financial assistance from St Mary’s, Nottingham, its present value is £1250 per annum. Scholars will also receive a programme of coaching on on all aspects of accompaniment with the Director of Music at St Mary’s, Nottingham and Jeffrey Makinson on the magnificent Willis organ in Lincoln Minster.
The Scholarship is awarded annually, following auditions, and may be renewed where appropriate.
Organs
The holder will have access to the University’s distinguished instruments:
- three-manual Norman & Beard (1909, rebuilt Willis 1957)
- two-manual Willis (1956)
- chamber organ by Collins (1974)
At St Mary’s they will have use of the famous Marcussen (1973) and recently installed Viscount (2014).
Conditions of the award
The Scholar must be reading for a first degree or a postgraduate degree, diploma, or certificate at the University of Nottingham. Preference may be given to a student taking a course in Music.
The Scholarship will be awarded for one year in the first instance, but may be renewed where appropriate.
The duties of the Scholar will be agreed between the Department of Music and the Director of Music at St Mary’s. The Scholar will be required to attend and accompany Friday evening rehearsals at St Mary’s and play for Sunday morning services during term time, with occasional exceptions (for example a mid-week High Day or a Sunday evening).
The Scholar may also be required to undertake ad hoc musical duties on campus in conjunction with the Department of Music and University Chaplaincy, provided such additional duties do not interfere with the Scholar’s academic work.
Applying
- Applications for 2022-23 academic year are closed.
Informal enquiries are welcome at any time of year, and should be addressed to Dr Henry Parkes, Department of Music.