Joining the Cathedral Choir, Choral Scholarships, Graham Rogers Organ Scholarship

There are plenty of ways to get involved in the music here at the Cathedral.

Enquiries about joining the choir can be made at any time: please contact James Davy by email.

Choral Scholarships

Choral scholars are a key part of the music team at Chelmsford Cathedral. A choral scholar will be expected to be a good sight-reader, as the repertoire of the choir is wide and varied and rehearsal time is somewhat limited; previous experience of the Anglican choral repertoire is valuable but not essential.

The scholarships run from the beginning of September until the end of July, including Christmas and Easter; accommodation is provided in nearby houses shared with other cathedral scholars. The scholarships are currently worth £8,100 pa, from which rent and payment for some domestic bills is deducted monthly. Singing lessons are provided by the resident vocal coach Ross Sharkey, who also works with the boy choristers, and there are frequent opportunities for solo and ensemble performances in a variety of contexts and repertoires.

There are a number of opportunities locally for work to supplement the scholarship and it is expected that the choral scholars will play a full role in the life of the department and wider cathedral community. Options for paid and voluntary work may be discussed with suitable candidates.

To find out more, download the information pack.

Graham Rogers Organ Scholarship

The Graham Rogers Organ Scholarship is awarded annually and named after a benefactor of the Cathedral’s music. It offers a superb learning opportunity for a gap year or post-graduate student to gain experience as a cathedral organist, working as part of a dedicated and supportive music team in a cathedral; in addition to opportunities to play for regular services and occasional concerts, the Graham Rogers Organ Scholar is a key member of the chorister training team.

The scholarship is normally offered for a period of one year and accommodation is provided in a shared house. Past Organ Scholars have gone on to further scholarships or assistantships at other cathedrals and universities including Peterborough, Newcastle, and Leicester Cathedrals and Magdalen College, Oxford.

Auditions for the academic year 2024-25 will be held in autumn 2023.