Schola Cantorum Composition Scholarship 2025-26
Applications are invited for the post of Composition Scholar with Schola Cantorum of Oxford for the academic year 2025-2026.
The Composition Scholar will be an exceptional musician who shows great promise in the art of choral composition. The Scholarship is open to candidates who will be studying at the University of Oxford during the Academic Year 2025-26 at Undergraduate or Graduate level. The successful candidate will be asked to write a work or works of around 10 minutes in duration, to be performed by Schola Cantorum during the academic year 2025-26. Texts and performance occasions will be agreed in consultation with Schola’s Conductor.
The Composition Scholar will receive an annual honorarium of £300, advice from Schola’s conductor, Steven Grahl, mentoring with a professional composer, and the opportunity to attend rehearsals, and contribute to the rehearsal process of their pieces. The choir’s regular rehearsal is on Monday evening, and the Composition Scholar should expect to be available for some of these rehearsals.
The post will be tenable for 1 year, for the 2025-2026 academic year. Candidates are expected to be members of Oxford University for this period.
Applications must be received no later than <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>. Applications will be judged by a panel to include Steven Grahl (Conductor), Patrick Maxwell (Conducting Scholar), ProfessorMartyn Harry, and Nicholas Cleobury (Trustee and former Schola Conductor). Shortlisted candidates may be asked to attend an interview to discuss their work with the panel.
Your application should include:
The Composition Scholar will be an exceptional musician who shows great promise in the art of choral composition. The Scholarship is open to candidates who will be studying at the University of Oxford during the Academic Year 2025-26 at Undergraduate or Graduate level. The successful candidate will be asked to write a work or works of around 10 minutes in duration, to be performed by Schola Cantorum during the academic year 2025-26. Texts and performance occasions will be agreed in consultation with Schola’s Conductor.
The Composition Scholar will receive an annual honorarium of £300, advice from Schola’s conductor, Steven Grahl, mentoring with a professional composer, and the opportunity to attend rehearsals, and contribute to the rehearsal process of their pieces. The choir’s regular rehearsal is on Monday evening, and the Composition Scholar should expect to be available for some of these rehearsals.
The post will be tenable for 1 year, for the 2025-2026 academic year. Candidates are expected to be members of Oxford University for this period.
Applications must be received no later than <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>. Applications will be judged by a panel to include Steven Grahl (Conductor), Patrick Maxwell (Conducting Scholar), ProfessorMartyn Harry, and Nicholas Cleobury (Trustee and former Schola Conductor). Shortlisted candidates may be asked to attend an interview to discuss their work with the panel.
Your application should include:
- A completed application form (please download a form here)
- The scores of two or three works which demonstrate your ability as a composer, and show your aptitude for writing a work or works for Schola Cantorum. Please send your scores as .pdf files. Whilst not essential, audio files such as recordings, or synthesised versions may also be submitted.