Joining the Cathedral Choir
Christ Church is unique amongst the collegiate choirs in its Cathedral role, and this is reflected in the considerable opportunities to learn a vast musical repertoire and to participate in many concerts, recordings, broadcasts and tours.
Choristerships
When Henry VIII founded Christ Church in 1546 he made provision for the education of a number of boy choristers and a schoolmaster. From these historic roots has grown the current Christ Church Cathedral School, housed in the premises built by Dean Liddell (father of Alice, immortalised by Lewis Carroll).
Music permeates life at Christ Church Cathedral School, which now educates the boy choristers of three choirs: Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Worcester College Chapel Choir, and Pembroke College Chapel Choir.
Four boys aged eight join the Cathedral Choir each year. They start out as waiting probationers in Form 4 and a year later become full choristers.
Throughout their time as probationers and choristers, boys benefit from the Cathedral’s generous bursaries, which cover 60 per cent of fees as well as weekly music lessons for two instruments.
Once they are full choristers, they sing three Sunday services, in addition to three Evensongs and one evening Communion service each week, and stay in school throughout Holy Week and up to and including Christmas Day.
Insight into life as a chorister
If you know a boy who would like to get an insight into life as a Cathedral chorister at Christ Church, please contact Mrs Laura Kemp on 01865 242561 or email registrar@cccs.org.uk.
Choral Scholarships
Christ Church is unique amongst the collegiate choirs in its Cathedral role, and this is reflected in the considerable opportunities afforded for Choral Scholars to learn a vast musical repertoire and to participate in many concerts, recordings, broadcasts and tours. In addition to financial support, Choral Scholars receive singing lessons which are paid for by College, and are provided with pianos/keyboards in their rooms.
Choral Scholars are expected to commit fully to the Cathedral Choir, and to take part in the regular schedule of choral services sung by the Cathedral Choir in Christ Church Cathedral. The Choir's commitments extend across the liturgical year, including Christmas and Easter. Great care is taken to ensure that choral duties do not interfere with academic work and progress.
How to apply for a Choral Scholarship at Christ Church
Vacancies for Academical Clerks (Choral Scholars) at Christ Church are open to both female and male applicants. Further details about the application process may be found on the University undergraduate admissions pages. At the choral trial, candidates are required to sing a prepared piece and to demonstrate musical aptitude through a few vocal exercises (scales and arpeggios), ear tests and reading at sight.
Choral Scholarships at Christ Church and all other Oxford colleges are awarded subject to candidates receiving an offer of an academic place to study at the University, and to candidates achieving the academic conditions of their offer.
If you wish to have an informal discussion about Choral Scholarships at Christ Church with the Organist, Peter Holder, please contact his PA, Florence Maskell. Peter is glad to meet and hear prospective choral candidates informally throughout the year (except during the formal choral selection process which takes place in September, when he is unable to offer individual informal meetings with candidates).
Lay Clerkships
The choir is revered for the vibrancy of its sound and its artistic flexibility, performing early and contemporary music with equal skill.
Lay Clerks are expected to take part in the Cathedral Choir’s regular schedule of choral services held in Christ Church Cathedral.
How to apply for Lay Clerkships
Vacancies are normally advertised on the Christ Church website, on Twitter @ChChCathedralOx, and in the Church Times.
Organ Scholarships
In addition to financial support, Organ Scholars receive organ lessons which are paid for by College, and are provided with pianos in their rooms.
Organ Scholars are expected to commit fully to the Cathedral Choir, and to take part in the regular schedule of choral services sung by the Cathedral Choir in Christ Church Cathedral. The commitments extend across the liturgical year, including Christmas and Easter. Great care is taken to ensure that choir-related duties do not interfere with academic work and progress.
How to apply for an Organ Scholarship at Christ Church
There is a vacancy for an Organ Scholar at Christ Church in 2023. Further details about the application process may be found on the University undergraduate admissions pages. At the organ trial, candidates are required to play a prepared piece and to demonstrate musical aptitude through a variety of keyboard tests.
Organ Scholarships at Christ Church and all other Oxford colleges are awarded subject to candidates receiving an offer of an academic place to study at the University, and to candidates achieving the academic conditions of their offer.
If you wish to have an informal discussion about Organ Scholarships at Christ Church with the Organist, Peter Holder, please contact his PA, Florence Maskell. Peter is glad to meet and hear prospective organ candidates informally throughout the year (except during the formal organ selection process which takes place in September, when he is unable to offer individual informal meetings with candidates).