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 are 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
Background to the award
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 plus a programme of coaching on all aspects of accompaniment with the Director of Music at St Mary’s, Nottingham.
The Scholarship is awarded annually, following auditions, and may be
renewed for one year where appropriate.
Opportunities
The holder will have access to the University’s distinguished
instruments:
- three-manual Norman & Beard (1909, rebuilt Willis 1957) in the Great Hall
- two-manual Willis (1956) in the Portland Building Chapel
- chamber organ by Collins (1974) in the Department of Music
At St Mary’s they will have use of the neo-Baroque instrument by
Marcussen (1973) and the electric organ by Viscount (2014).
Besides regular choral accompaniment and coaching, recent scholar opportunities have included:
- continuo with the University’s orchestra
- piano accompaniment in concerts
- solo recitals in the local area.
The Barber Scholar usually contributes to the University’s Christmas Carol
Service.
Conditions of the award
1. 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.
2. The scholarship will be awarded for one year in the first instance,
but may be renewed where appropriate.
3. 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 (e.g. a mid-week High Day or a Sunday evening).
4. The scholar may also be invited 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 for the award
Potential applicants may express an informal interest at any time of year by writing to Dr Henry Parkes, Department of Music henry.parkes@nottingham.ac.uk
Provided sufficient notice, applicants may be permitted to try out the organs on university open or offer-holder days.
