St Chad’s College Choir represents a wide cross-section of the College, welcoming undergraduates, postgraduates and members of staff alike. Each year the musical life of the College Chapel is supported by the College Organist along with an Organ Scholar (usually one, but sometimes two per year).
The Choir’s primary function is to sing at services in the College Chapel during term time (Sunday Eucharist or Compline, Thursday Choral Evensong, and Choral Eucharist or Evensong for Festivals and special College days). With the support of the College Organist, Dr Peter Swift, Organ Scholars accompany a wide variety of music sung by the choir in addition to providing voluntaries before and after services.
The Choir is also privileged to sing in Durham Cathedral, usually once or twice each academic term. The College’s annual Advent Procession in the Cathedral is undoubtedly a highlight in this respect; the annual celebration of St Chad’s Day is another. Visits to other UK cathedrals are also arranged throughout the year with recent visits including Newcastle Cathedral, York Minster and Litchfield Cathedral.
The College values its Choir and choral tradition highly and provides it with many opportunities to play a full and central part in the cultural life of the College. This includes concerts and recitals in the College and city. Organ Scholars therefore have the opportunity to play a variety of instruments and repertoire throughout their scholarship.
Up to 2 Organ Scholarships are available each year and we welcome applications from new and continuing St Chad’s College students. These scholarships are funded through generous gifts from St Chad’s alumni and friends.
Scholarship Overview
| Amount | £1,000 (inc. £700 scholarship and £300 for organ lessons) |
| Year of Entry | Starting in September 2025 |
| Number of scholarships available | Up to 2 |
| Application deadline | Sunday 27 April 2025 |
| Domicile | Home, EU or International |
| Level of study | Undergraduate or Postgraduate |
| Mode of study | Full-time |
| Eligibility criteria | Whilst there is no particular requirement for formal organ playing qualifications to have been achieved, those applying should have a good foundation in organ playing and experience accompanying a congregation and choir. Sight-reading ability, console management, knowledge of liturgical music and improvisation skills will also be considered as part of the selection process. |
| Application and selection process | Personal statement of no more than 1,000 words and a appropriate musical reference submitted to chads.admissions@durham.ac.uk. Your personal statement should include: 1. how your personal musical experience makes you eligible for this award; 2. how the scholarship would enable your development both academically and personally, and; 3. why you want to study at Durham University and St Chad’s College. Organ Scholars are also asked to submit a short video recording of their playing (MP4, MPEG, WMV or YouTube link) which should include: 1. a short piece of your choice (2-3 minutes) which would be suitable to play after Evensong for manuals and pedals; 2. playing 2 verses (with play-over) of the hymn 'Breathe on me breath of God' to the tune Carlisle (verses 1 and 3). Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an in-person or online audition at which they will be provided with a hymn to sight-read and then extend via improvisation for approximately 1 minute. They will also be asked to play an accompaniment to a piece set in advance. |
| Interview/audition information | Provisionally scheduled for the week beginning 5 May 2025 |
| Additional information | In addition to mentorship from the College Organist, Organ Scholars are expected to seek regular organ tuition throughout the duration of the scholarship. Part of the scholarship is intended as financial support for this. Organ Scholars are expected to commit to attending all services and rehearsals and there is a strong expectation that their commitments as an Organ Scholar will be prioritised. Due to the level of commitment required, the College reserves the right not to award Organ Scholarships to those who hold similar scholarships elsewhere. |
| Programmes | All undergraduate programmes |
| College preferences | Applicants will be expected to demonstrate a strong desire for membership of St Chad’s College through their application and the interview process. |
| Duration | One academic year with the opportunity to re-audition in subsequent years. |
| Contact information | chads.admissions@durham.ac.uk |