Choral Scholarships are available at Salford Cathedral to sopranos, altos, tenors and basses (any gender) in full time education. Applicants should be at least 18 years of age, with a clear singing voice, the ability to read music, and capable sight reading ability.
Choral Scholars are required to attend all rehearsals and Masses sung by the full Cathedral Choir during term time. Choral Scholars also sing for other important feast days and additional liturgies throughout the year, including Holy Week, as outlined by the Director of Music ahead of each term. Attendance for Easter and Christmas is by arrangement.
As well as augmenting the ranks of the Cathedral Choir, our Choral Scholars often sing together on their own for additional liturgies throughout the year, including Choral Vespers.
Typical weekly schedule
Wednesday
7.30 – 9pm rehearsal (with Cathedral Choir)
Sunday
10am rehearsal, 11am Solemn Mass (with Cathedral Choir, finished by 12.20pm)
The value of the Choral Scholarship is up to £1,200 and there may be additional opportunities to sing for weddings and funerals for which additional fees are payable.
A Choral Scholarship at Salford Cathedral is excellent training in practical music-making. As well as singing a diverse range of choral music, Scholars are given training in singing Gregorian chant and former Scholars often remark about how their sight reading has improved given wealth and mix of music sung each week. There are also opportunities to be involved in our Youth Programme and to explore conducting and composition, should you wish to develop these skills.
Being a Choral Scholar at Salford Cathedral has been one of the highlights of this academic year. I’ve loved having a musical outlet that is separate from music college, but that still offers a range of performing and learning opportunities. Additionally, the variety of music we perform has allowed me to explore so many different styles, from chant to contemporary works, and balancing singing at the Cathedral with my studies has been effortless. – Louise Ashdown (Postgraduate, RNCM)
Apply for a Scholarship
If you would like to apply for a Choral Scholarship, please email the Cathedral Director of Music, Alex Patterson alex.patterson@dioceseofsalford.org.uk who will be in touch to arrange an audition. The audition is a great opportunity for you to talk about your experience as a singer, your aspirations, and reasons for wanting to join the choir. You will also sing with the choir at one of our Thursday rehearsals as part of the audition process.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Choral Scholar in the Salford Cathedral Choir. All the music that we sang was varied with something new to sing each week. This helped my sight-reading skills greatly as I got used to reading music that I had never seen or heard before. There are a lot of opportunities for solo work which greatly enhanced my confidence in singing in front of people as previously I was a little nervous but now I no longer have those issues and feel I can sing to my full potential in any setting of the choir. Chris Warrington (Undergraduate, University of Huddersfield)
The Choral Scholarship programme at Salford Cathedral has been an immensely fulfilling experience. Whilst the music was challenging, and at times my music comprehension put to the test, our Director of Music was exceptionally accommodating, with a great sense of humour and taste in repertoire. The music was always engaging and the availability of work at the cathedral helped boost confidence in solo work and provided great work experience. The atmosphere, people, and repertoire were all engaging and facilitating, and I would highly recommend! – Theodore Murphy-Jelley (Postgraduate, RNCM)
