WCCMT Organ Scholar

WILLIAM COLE CHURCH MUSIC TRUST ORGAN SCHOLARSHIP   SEPTEMBER 2010

 

ST MARTIN'S CHURCH

DORKING

Anglicans and Methodists together

 

FURTHER DETAILS

 

The William Cole Church Music Trust is seeking to appoint an Organ Scholar to succeed Hugo Bell who has held the position for two years.  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 both an Organ Scholarship and a Choral Scholarship Applicants are be expected to be aged 16 and above and, ideally, working towards A1 and A2 Levels at their respective school or sixth form college. Exceptional candidates of a younger age would be considered for this award.

 

The Choir sings an anthem at the main Sunday morning Service every Sunday morning except in August.  This generally takes the form of a Communion Service. 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. In the year 2009 - 2010, the Choir has sung Cantata 140 during Evensong on the first Sunday in December and a complete performance of Handel's Messiah on Palm 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.

 

At present, when all members are present, the Choir is a well balanced team consisting of six 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. The choir numbers several members who have read Music at University. 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 rehearses on a Friday between 7.30 and 9.00pm, at 9.00am on a Sunday morning and at 5.00pm on the Sunday when Evensong is sung at 6.00pm. There are rehearsals preceding special Services around Festivals and a weekday Eucharist such as on Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday.  At present the Methodist congregation meets for Worship at 11.00am on most Sundays except at Festivals when both congregations meet together at 10.00am.

 

The Trust is working in conjunction with the Royal College of Organists for a trial period of three years.  Dr William Cole, Organist and Choirmaster of St Martin's Church Dorking from 1930 -1954, was Treasurer of the RCO for many years and President from 1970 - 1972. The William Cole Trust Organ Scholar will be automatically a student member of the College and will be given free tuition on suitable courses run under the auspices of the RCO Academy.

 

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

 

 

 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS


What would be expected of me?
 

· You will work under the direction of the Director of Music and Organist with whom you

   will meet once a month during your tenure of the Scholarship.

 

· You would be expected to be an integral part of the Church both musically and socially.

 

· You would be present at Choir Practice, currently on a Friday evening, three weeks

   in the month and be involved in playing part or all of a Service or Services on two Sundays

   in the month, on special occasions surrounding Christmas, including the Midnight Service

   on Christmas Eve, Easter, Ash Wednesday and on the occasion of Cathedral visits. You

   will be given one full weekend off each month. You would not expected to be present

   on Christmas Day or the first Sunday after Christmas but expected to play for Services

   on two Sunday mornings in August.

 

   Periods of Study Leave for A1/A2 Level examinations will be arranged in consultation

   with the Director of Music and Organist.

 

Will I get any experience of Choir Training?

 

· Yes; under the direction of the Director of Music and Organist, you will be given opportunitie

  to assist with the training of the Junior Choristers.  Depending on your innate skills it may

   be possible for you to take all or part of a Full Choir Practice and to direct the music at Choral

   Evensong and during Choir Visits to Cathedrals.

 

Will I get the opportunity to give recitals in the regular Lunch Hour Series?

· Yes; you could have other opportunities for music making within the weekly pattern of

   Thursday Lunch Hour recitals 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 an annual review.

 

At the interview, the candidate will be expected to play two contrasting pieces, will be given aural, sight reading and transposition tests  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 ORGAN SCHOLARSHIP AT ST MARTIN'S CHURCH DORKING

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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                         ...............................................................       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:

 

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Names and addresses of two referees

 

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

 

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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

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

 

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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