The School of Liberal and Creative Arts and the School of Theology are very pleased to announce that five new Choral and Organ Scholarships are now open to applications from first and second year students in the Schools.
These five undergraduate musical scholarships are offered for the next academic year 2025/26. There are four choral scholarships, one each for Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass which offer a stipend of £2,000 for one academic year and one Organ scholarship, offering a stipend of £3,000 for one academic year. You may be a student who currently sings in a choir, or has experience leading or assisting with liturgy in your church at home or in the local area. As a St Mary’s Choral Scholar or Organ scholar, you will have the opportunity to pursue your love of music alongside your undergraduate studies with us.
In the first instance, students will be eligible for the choral and organ scholarships if they apply to study:
As a choral scholar you will be part of expanding the musical legacy of St Mary’s, taking part in music for weekday Mass, Carol services and outreach activities and expanding the experience of spiritual life of St Mary’s students across the University.
As an organ scholar you will be the first to play on the newly-restored organ in St Mary’s University Chapel, with an opportunity to direct the musical development of the Mass and other liturgical events as part of the expansion of musical events across the University.
How to apply
Please submit an application to choralandorganscholarships@stmarys.ac.uk
This application should include:
a. A 200 word personal statement explaining your musical background, experience and motivation for becoming a choral or organ scholar.
b. A CV including musical and academic achievements to date.
You should be available to attend an audition and interview in March 2025.
Scholars will be selected on the basis of their musical ability, and their motivation to contribute to the University community.
Terms and Conditions
- To be eligible for the choral or organ scholarships, candidates must study one of the courses listed above at St Mary’s University.
- The Choral scholarship will be paid in two instalments of £1,000, in November 2025 and February 2026 of the year of enrolment on one of the courses of study listed above.
- The Organ scholarship will be paid in two instalments of £1,500, in November 2025 and February 2026 following enrolment on one of the courses of study listed above.
- Choral and Organ scholars will be expected to contribute to the spiritual and musical life of the University through performance at choral mass in the University chapel and at other recitals linked to the University’s academic calendar (such as graduation and anniversary events).
- Scholarships may be renewed for the 2026/27 academic year subject to satisfactory fulfilment of the role of choral and organ scholar, and provided the scholar satisfies the academic requirements of their course to progress into their next year of study.
- St Mary’s reserves the right not to appoint all scholarships if suitable candidates do not come forward.