CHORAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Note: Updated Application Dates for Autumn 2023
Woking Choral Society is looking for experienced and confident singers, with skills in sight singing and solo singing to join the choir as choral scholars. We are one of the UK’s foremost amateur choirs, comprising some 65 members under the leadership of conductor Cole Bendall, who was appointed as the choir’s eighth musical director in 2022. Notable guest conductors in our 125 year history include Sir Edward Elgar (conducting a concert of his own works in 1920) and Woking resident Dame Ethel Smyth.
We welcome applications from singers of diverse ages, experiences and backgrounds – we anticipate this role will be of particular benefit to singers currently studying as an undergraduate or postgraduate at university or college who wish to gain professional experience to develop their musical career.
As a choral scholar, you would support your assigned section and, in addition to singing with the section, be expected to help support and encourage your colleagues in their own vocal development. You will also have the opportunity to promote the choir on social media and work closely with our professional conductor, Cole Bendall, and accompanist, Suzy Ruffles. We will expect your attendance at all of our concerts (usually one per term), and no less than 80% of rehearsals. Where opportunities allow and where appropriate for the chosen candidates, we will also help provide further opportunities for career development including small concert solos, understudying larger concert solo roles, and conducting and choir coaching skills with our Musical Director.
The scheme will run from September ‘23 to June ‘24 and is aimed at 4 scholars, one for each voice part. We rehearse each Monday evening, effectively during school terms with a concert at the end of the term. Rehearsals are in St Andrews Church in Goldsworth Park, Woking – our members are able to offer a lift to and from Woking Station for those who come by train.
Our concert dates for 2023-2024 are:
10 December 2023 - Orff Carmina Burana and Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms with the Percussion Ensemble of London, Suzy Ruffles and Philip Scriven
13 April 2024 - Cecilia McDowall Da Vinci Requiem, Verdi Stabat Mater, Brahms Nänie, Holst Ode to Death, with keyboard accompaniment
29 June 2024 - Haydn The Seasons with the British Sinfonietta
The scholarships are for £1000 per annum (ie for the year September to July) paid in instalments monthly in arrears during term time, uprated pro rata for the extra tenor term.
The closing date for applicantions is Thursday 21st September 2023 with interviews and voice tests on Monday 25th September 2023 in our rehearsal venue of St Andrews Church, Goldsworth Park, Woking, with successful candidates to join our rehearsals on Monday 2nd October
Applications can be made online here - alternatively, please use our contact form for further queries.