WCCMT Choral Scholar

WILLIAM COLE CHURCH MUSIC TRUST

Choral Scholarship

SEPTEMBER 2010

ST MARTIN'S CHURCH

DORKING

Anglicans and Methodists together

FURTHER DETAILS

The William Cole Church Music Trust is seeking to appoint a Choral Scholar. The Trust, which received its charitable status in 2007, is restricted to St Martin's Church in Dorking and is committed to musical work amongst young organists and singers. Currently it is funding an Organ Scholarship and a Choral Scholar who would be expected to be aged 16 and above. In September 2010, the Trust is looking to appoint another Choral Scholar as a job share with the present appointee.

The Choir of St Martin's Church has a long history of excellence in performance stretching over a hundred and twenty five years under the direction of a succession of high profile choir trainers such as Dr William Cole (1930 - 1954) and the present Director of Music and Organist, Martin Ellis (1986 -). At present, when all members are present, there is a well balanced team consisting of seven junior choristers and twenty four adults. Many of its members take part in other choirs such as the Dorking Camerata, the Goldsmith's Choral Union and the Bach Choir. Several former junior choristers have entered the musical profession; others have made music an important part of daily living. Junior Choristers take the RSCM Bronze and Silver awards.

The Choir sings an anthem at Parish Communion every Sunday morning except in August, there is a musical Service on the first Sunday of the month, except in August, which usually takes the form of a fully Choral Evensong. In recent years the Choir has sung both the St Matthew and St John Passions by Bach on Palm Sunday. This coming year, 2009 - 2010, the Choir will sing Cantata 140 during Evensong on the first Sunday in December and a complete performance of Handel's Messiah on Palm Sunday. Occasionally the Choir sings an anthem at the 11.00am Methodist Service on a Sunday. The Choir regularly sings Services in Cathedrals such as St Pauls, Southwark, Salisbury and Guildford; In 2010, the Choir is returning to Salisbury in February, Southwark in April and Guildford in July. There are plans to visit Canterbury and St Pauls Cathedral as well as York Minster in 2011. The Choir has recorded for both BBC Songs of Praise and Sunday Half Hour programmes and made a CD in 2002 entitled Awake my lute. A further CD recording is in the pipeline and the suitable candidate would be involved. From this, potential candidates should be able to gauge the scope of experience that could be gained from holding this award.

Candidates should have gained Grade 6 Singing or display that standard of singing. The Trust hopes that the successful candidate will use this generous scholarship to raise their profile as singers with a view to gaining a similar award at University or other institution of Further Education.

The Choir usually attends practice on a Friday between 7.30 and 9.00pm, 9.30am Parish Communion with a 9.00am practice, the one Sunday evening per month for a Choral service at 6.00pm with a practice at 5.00pm as well as special Services around Festivals and weekday Eucharists such as on Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday.

Answers to questions

What will be the duties and opportunities for a successful candidate?

· The Candidate, after this known as the Scholar, will work under the direction of the Director of

Music and Organist.

· The Scholar will be an integral part of the Choir both musically and socially.

· The Scholar will be present at Practice, currently on a Friday evening, three weeks in the month

and usually sing on three Sundays in the month, on special occasions surrounding Christmas,

including the Midnight Service on Christmas Eve when the Choir sings Carols round the Tree

before the Service, and Easter, Ash Wednesday and on the occasion of Cathedral visits.

Therefore, the Scholar will be given one full weekend off each month. The Scholar is not

expected to sing on Christmas Day, the first Sundays after Christmas or Easter and during

the period of the state school Summer Holidays; this is usually the last Sunday in July to

the first Sunday in September inclusive. Periods of Study Leave for AS/A Level examinations

will be arranged in consultation with the Director of Music and Organist.

· On one Sunday in the month, the Scholar will be expected to contribute a solo item

at the 11.00am Methodist Service and assist musically in that Service in conjunction

with the Director of Music and Organist as well as the designated officiant.

· Under the Direction of the Director of Music and Organist, the Scholar will be expected to assist

with the training of the Junior Choristers. The Organ Scholar takes some part in this activity

on a regular basis. Depending on the innate skills of the Scholar, it may be possible for

that person to take all or part of a Full Choir Practice or even direct the music at

Choral Evensong

· The Scholar could have other opportunities for music making within the weekly pattern of

Thursday Lunch Hour recital that are currently held between September and Easter.

It should be noted that no accommodation is available with this Scholarship and that the Scholarship usually includes travelling expenses. The appointment will be initially for one year and renewable after a review.

At the interview, the candidate will be expected to sing two contrasting pieces, will be given aural tests, sight reading and engage in conversation with the panel appointed by the Trust.

Please return the application form (a Word file version of which may be obtained by emailing the Secretary at alisonharding20@btinternet.com ) to:

The Secretary

The William Cole Church Music Trust

Thetford Lodge

Westcott Road

Dorking

RH4 3EA

By Monday 31 May 2010

THE WILLIAM COLE CHURCH MUSIC TRUST

APPLICATION FORM FOR CHORAL SCHOLARSHIP AT ST MARTIN'S CHURCH DORKING

First Names....................................................................................................................

Surname.........................................................................

Present Address..............................................................

...............................................................

............................................................... Telephone No. ....................................

Post Code............................... Email address......................................

Date of Birth.............................

School Education since the age of 11.................................................................................................

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Musical Education including examinations taken and names of singing teachers:

...................................................................................................................................................

Names and addresses of two referees

1.................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................Telephone No..................................

2. ...............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................Telephone No..................................

If under the age of 18:

I the parent of ............................................................................agree to this application being made

Signature...........................................................Name in capitals...................................................

Please turn to Page 2

The applicant is asked to write no more than 100 words giving reasons why they are applying for this award and

what he or she expects to gain from it:

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.............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................

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Please give some indication of your aspirations regarding further education and career

..........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

Signature of applicant.....................................................Name in capitals..................................................

Please return this application form to:

The Secretary

The William Cole Church Music Trust

Thetford Lodge

Westcott Road

Dorking

RH4 3EA

By Wednesday 31 May 2010

WCCMT Choral Scholar

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