CHORAL SCHOLARSHIPS 2025/2026

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.

Details of the scheme for 2025-2026 are below.
The scheme will run from September 2025 to June 2026 and is aimed at 4 scholars, one for each voice part. We rehearse weekly, effectively during school terms with a concert at the end of the term. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings at 19:30 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 2025-2026 are:

  • 29th November 2025 – Britten’s St Nicholas and Elgar’s Songs from the Bavarian Highlands with Farnham Youth Choir

  • 28th March 2026 – Duruflé Requiem and Vierne Messe Solenelle

  • 27th June 2026 – Dvorak Stabat Mater

The scholarships are for £1000 per annum (ie for the year September to July) paid in instalments monthly in arrears during term time. Help with travel may also be considered.

Auditions will take place in mid-September. Applications should be made by Thursday 10th September 2025.

Applications can be made online here - alternatively, please use our contact form for further queries.