Schola Cantorum Conducting Scholarship 2022-23
.Applications are invited for the post of Conducting Scholar with Schola Cantorum of Oxford for the academic year 2022-2023. The Conducting Scholar will be an exceptional young musician who shows great promise in the art of choral conducting.
The successful candidate will assist the conductor Steven Grahl in the musical development and preparation of the choir, including programming and rehearsing. The Conducting Scholar will receive an annual honorarium of £300; regular podium time under the supervision of Steven Grahl and, where appropriate, performance opportunities with the choir. The Scholar will be expected to attend all weekly rehearsals (which are normally held on Monday evenings during term time) and Oxford performances during their scholarship tenure, and may be asked to take sectional rehearsals. In addition, they will be invited to attend meetings of the choir’s trustees (six per year), and assist the conductor with administrative matters relating to the musical life of the choir. The Conducting Scholar will be invited to sit on the panel for all rounds of major auditions at the beginning of the academic year, and from time to time throughout the year. The post will be tenable for 1 year, for the 2022-2023 academic year. Candidates are expected to be members of Oxford University, and Oxford-based for this period.
Applications must be received no later than 12 noon on Wednesday 11 May 2022. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by the end of Friday 13 May. Follow the links for further Information and to download an application form. You can also read about the experiences of previous Conducting Scholars here.
The successful candidate will assist the conductor Steven Grahl in the musical development and preparation of the choir, including programming and rehearsing. The Conducting Scholar will receive an annual honorarium of £300; regular podium time under the supervision of Steven Grahl and, where appropriate, performance opportunities with the choir. The Scholar will be expected to attend all weekly rehearsals (which are normally held on Monday evenings during term time) and Oxford performances during their scholarship tenure, and may be asked to take sectional rehearsals. In addition, they will be invited to attend meetings of the choir’s trustees (six per year), and assist the conductor with administrative matters relating to the musical life of the choir. The Conducting Scholar will be invited to sit on the panel for all rounds of major auditions at the beginning of the academic year, and from time to time throughout the year. The post will be tenable for 1 year, for the 2022-2023 academic year. Candidates are expected to be members of Oxford University, and Oxford-based for this period.
Applications must be received no later than 12 noon on Wednesday 11 May 2022. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by the end of Friday 13 May. Follow the links for further Information and to download an application form. You can also read about the experiences of previous Conducting Scholars here.
Schola in the Covid Era
A message from Beth Fitzpatrick (Fitz), Schola Chair 2021-22
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Beth ('Fitz') Fitzpatrick, Millie Cant's successor as student chair, recorded this short message for the Alumni Newsletter in June 2021, with news of the choir's activities during another very difficult year, thanks to Covid-19..
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Schola in the Covid Era
A message from Millie Cant, outgoing Chair, March 2021
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Hilary Term 2021 has been even harder for the students, as most of them have had to stay away from Oxford during yet another Covid lockdown, but they have done their best to keep things going.
Millie Cant, the outgoing student chair, recorded a short message for the Alumni Newsletter, in March 2021 with news of the choir's activities during the term. |
Sad News, January 2021 - Death of John Byrt
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We are sorry to report that Dr John Byrt, who in 1964 succeeded Laszlo Heltay as conductor of Collegium Musicum Oxoniense and inaugurated its career as Schola Cantorum of Oxford, has died just after his 80th birthday. It was he who took the choir to the United States in 1965, and later conducted Schola's recording for Saga Records of Taverner's Missa Corona Spinea. John's long struggle with his mental health did not prevent him from forging much-appreciated partnerships with choirs in Devon, where he made his home with his wife, Celia Boden, for many years. His lifelong musicological interest culminated in his publication in 2016 of An Unequal Music: Rhythmic Inequality from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
An obituary of John will be found here. Plans are already under discussion for a suitable memorial concert when this becomes possible. Details will be announced in the Alumni Newsletter so, if you do not currently receive this, please sign up here. |
'Laslo Heltay Remembered, December 2020
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‘Laszlo Heltay Remembered’ is the title of a new collection of reminiscences, quotations and photographs about the remarkable Hungarian who did so much to influence choral singing and standards in Britain and across Europe. Lively and informative contributions have come from those who sang under and were befriended by Laszlo, particularly members of Collegium Musicum Oxoniense, Brighton Festival Chorus, Collegium Musicum of London and Chorus of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Especially affectionate and insightful are tributes by Sylvia Coward, Johan Duijck and Roger Walkinton
The collection has been compiled by Giles Dawson, who sang under Laszlo in the Chorus of ASMF. Giles felt strongly that Laszlo, and this memoir and homage to him, deserved more than a simple ‘cut and paste’ of the various contributions, so he decided to have it professionally designed. To order your copy of ‘Laszlo Heltay Remembered’, please email Giles at [email protected] and he will provide bank details for online payment of £5 / 6 Euros plus a donation, of whatever size you can afford, as a tribute to Laszlo. Giles plans to forward any surplus to the charity HELP MUSICIANS UK. This gift will be designated ‘In Memoriam Laszlo Heltay – from his friends and singers over many decades’. If the surplus is significant, Giles will ask Help Musicians to consider setting up a scheme bearing Laszlo’s name, with this surplus as the initial donation. Laszlo gave so much pleasure to so many thousands of singers and their audiences, in concert halls and on recordings, that it would be wonderful to give something back to the music profession in his name. |
Schola 60th Anniversary: A(nother) new date
December 2020: After reviewing the latest situation, we have decided to postpone our 60th Anniversary Celebration yet again, and the new date is Saturday 23 April 2022. All other details remain the same, but if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
OBE awarded to John Mark Ainsley, October 2020
Congratulations to Schola Patron, John Mark Ainsley, who has been awarded an OBE for Services to Music.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/63135/supplement/B11
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/63135/supplement/B11
Schola Cantorum Conducting Scholarship 2020-21
Applications are invited for the post of Conducting Scholar with Schola Cantorum of Oxford for the academic year 2020-2021. The Conducting Scholar will be an exceptional young musician who shows great promise in the art of choral conducting.
The successful candidate will assist the conductor Steven Grahl in the musical development and preparation of the choir, including programming and rehearsing. The Conducting Scholar will receive an annual honorarium of £300; regular podium time under the supervision of Steven Grahl and, where appropriate, performance opportunities with the choir. The Scholar will be expected to attend all weekly rehearsals (which are normally held on Monday evenings during term time) and Oxford performances during their scholarship tenure, and may be asked to take sectional rehearsals. In addition, they will be invited to attend meetings of the choir’s trustees (six per year), and assist the conductor with administrative matters relating to the musical life of the choir. The Conducting Scholar will be invited to sit on the panel for all rounds of major auditions at the beginning of the academic year, and from time to time throughout the year.
The post will be tenable for 1 year, for the 2020-2021 academic year. Candidates are expected to be members of Oxford University, and Oxford-based for this period.
Applications must be received no later than 12 noon on Friday 1 May 2020. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by the end of Wednesday 6 May.
Follow the links for further information and to download an application form. You can also read about the experiences of previous Conducting Scholars here.
The successful candidate will assist the conductor Steven Grahl in the musical development and preparation of the choir, including programming and rehearsing. The Conducting Scholar will receive an annual honorarium of £300; regular podium time under the supervision of Steven Grahl and, where appropriate, performance opportunities with the choir. The Scholar will be expected to attend all weekly rehearsals (which are normally held on Monday evenings during term time) and Oxford performances during their scholarship tenure, and may be asked to take sectional rehearsals. In addition, they will be invited to attend meetings of the choir’s trustees (six per year), and assist the conductor with administrative matters relating to the musical life of the choir. The Conducting Scholar will be invited to sit on the panel for all rounds of major auditions at the beginning of the academic year, and from time to time throughout the year.
The post will be tenable for 1 year, for the 2020-2021 academic year. Candidates are expected to be members of Oxford University, and Oxford-based for this period.
Applications must be received no later than 12 noon on Friday 1 May 2020. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by the end of Wednesday 6 May.
Follow the links for further information and to download an application form. You can also read about the experiences of previous Conducting Scholars here.
Sad News, April 2020 - Death of Schola Patron Lord Armstrong of Ilminster
We are sad to announce that Lord Armstrong - Patron of Schola and former Chair of the Trustees died on 3 April 2020 at the age of 93. An obituary can be found here.
Coronavirus Update, March 2020
'Schola at 60' celebration rescheduled to Saturday 6 February 2021
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Schola is delighted to welcome Alumni singers for a reunion concert to celebrate its 60th Anniversary. Steven Grahl will conduct current Schola and Alumni in a performance of JS Bach’s ‘B Minor Mass’ with Oxford’s own world-class period instrument ensemble, Instruments of Time & Truth, in Oxford Town Hall.
Soloists include Robyn Allegra Parton, Lucinda Cox, Nick Pritchard and John Lee. This concert was originally due to take place on Saturday 2 May 2020 but has now been postponed to 2021. All other details remain the same. Any tickets already purchased for 2 May will be valid for the new date. |
'Zodiac' - Monday 24 February, 8pm, Pusey House Chapel
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Schola Cantorum of Oxford presents its first concert in its 60th Anniversary year: Zodiac. The choir will perform exciting works celebrating the theme of nature and creation, including the rarely performed song cycle 'Zodiac Signs' by Jonathan Rathbone and Copland's 'In the beginning' with mezzo-soprano Carris Jones. Tickets are £15/£5 for students, available via FIXR and on the door. Schola Cantorum of Oxford: Zodiac Monday 24 February, 20:00, Pusey House Chapel Stanford - The Blue Bird Delius - On Craig Ddu Rathbone - Zodiac Signs Copland - In the beginning |
Masterclass with Dame Emma Kirkby - Saturday 24 February, 2pm, Queen's College Chapel
Schola presents the first event in its 60th Anniversary year: a Masterclass with Dame Emma Kirkby
Dame Emma Kirkby, a patron and former member of Schola Cantorum of Oxford, will give a masterclass to members of the choir. World famous for her interpretations of baroque masterpieces, Dame Emma will illuminate the vocal music of composers such as Handel, Bach and Purcell, working with baroque movement and gesture expert Dionysios Kyropoulos.
Tickets £10/£5 for students, available on the door and via FIXR: https://fixr.co/event/89903709
Schola Cantorum of Oxford: A Masterclass with Emma Kirkby
Saturday 22 February, 2pm, Chapel of the Queen's College, Oxford
Dame Emma Kirkby, a patron and former member of Schola Cantorum of Oxford, will give a masterclass to members of the choir. World famous for her interpretations of baroque masterpieces, Dame Emma will illuminate the vocal music of composers such as Handel, Bach and Purcell, working with baroque movement and gesture expert Dionysios Kyropoulos.
Tickets £10/£5 for students, available on the door and via FIXR: https://fixr.co/event/89903709
Schola Cantorum of Oxford: A Masterclass with Emma Kirkby
Saturday 22 February, 2pm, Chapel of the Queen's College, Oxford
Sad News, December 2019 - Death of László Heltay
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We are sad to inform you that László Heltay died in Budapest on Tuesday 17 December 2019 at the age of 89. He founded the Collegium Musicum Oxoniense, which later became Schola Cantorum of Oxford, in 1960, and provided many of Schola's alumni with formative musical experiences.
There is an obituary on the Slipped Disc website, which can be found here. This is a loss that will be felt by many, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. |
Auditions!
Schola Cantorum is auditioning for all voice parts for this coming year.
First round auditions will take place on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th October (0th week) in Lincoln College Chapel. Should you be successful, second round auditions will take place on Saturday 12th October. The second round involves singing a prepared piece and there may also be a range test and/or some unprepared sight reading.
Please sign up for a slot here.
First round auditions will take place on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th October (0th week) in Lincoln College Chapel. Should you be successful, second round auditions will take place on Saturday 12th October. The second round involves singing a prepared piece and there may also be a range test and/or some unprepared sight reading.
Please sign up for a slot here.
William Parkinson appointed Schola Cantorum Conducting Scholar, 2019-20
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William is a second year music undergraduate and Organ Scholar at Lincoln College Oxford. He trains, conducts , and accompanies the choir in services and concerts and has led recent tours to Malta and New York. The choir sang Mozart’s Requiem as part of the 2018 Turl Street Arts Festival and has recently performed at St. Mary-le-Strand Church in London. William founded and conducts Lincoln Sinfonia, with which he has conducted music ranging from a complete Handel’s Messiah to works by Richard Strauss and Brahms. He was also appointed Organist of Campion Hall in November 2018.
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'Self, Flesh and Air' - Schola commissions a new piece from Toby Young
Schola has embarked on an exciting new commission involving a collaboration between composer Toby Young, writer Jennifer Thorp and visual artist Whitney Conti. Toby has written a set of three madrigals, which aim to explore the lives of people living with mental illness in order to give voice to those affected by the trauma, isolation and stigma of their separation from society. Taking inspiration from cutting edge clinical research at the university, the 'difficult' nature of the subject matter is matched by equally challenging music. The madrigals will be premiered in Oxford on Monday 17 June.
Michaelmas 2018 - auditions and vacancies for new singers!
As the new academic year approaches, Schola Cantorum, Oxford’s premier chamber choir, is looking for the best choral singers Oxford has to offer, of any voice part, to join its ranks. If you love singing at a high standard and want to be a part of the best chamber choir in Oxford, fill in the online application form to take part in our auditions happening w/c 1st October. We look forward to seeing you there!
August 2018 - Recital at Peterborough CathedralJust two days after landing back in the UK after our China tour, we held our final recital of the academic year, which meant it was the last time that Schola 2017-18 would ever sing together. After having spent two weeks singing together in China, we were extremely well-practiced and the recital we performed was arguably the best we had given yet!
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July 2018 - Summer tour to China!
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Schola has returned back from its very exciting July tour to China. We were invited to perform as a demonstration choir at the 14th China International Choral Festival (CICF) in Beijing, and also at the Yellow River Choral Festival in Lanzhou. These invitations led to Schola performing at the opening ceremonies of both of these festivals (one of which was held in the 2008 Olympic Basketball stadium) as well as giving solo recitals at prestigious musical venues, such as the Beijing Concert Hall, and participating in choral conducting masterclasses, given by our director, Steven Grahl. And singing aside, we had the opportunity to explore sights of Beijing like the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Olympic Park, as well the Great Wall of China.
Lots of fundraising went into making this tour possible, not least the Alumni and Come and Sing Spem in Alium event held in the Sheldonian Theatre. We would like to thank everyone who helped make this tour possible; we are extremely grateful for the opportunity to have had such a musically fulfilling and culturally insightful tour.
For day-by-day detail of our China Tour, check out our tour blog!
https://scholacantorumoxfordchinatour.wordpress.com
Lots of fundraising went into making this tour possible, not least the Alumni and Come and Sing Spem in Alium event held in the Sheldonian Theatre. We would like to thank everyone who helped make this tour possible; we are extremely grateful for the opportunity to have had such a musically fulfilling and culturally insightful tour.
For day-by-day detail of our China Tour, check out our tour blog!
https://scholacantorumoxfordchinatour.wordpress.com
Help get Schola to China 2018!
Schola Cantorum has been invited to China, where be performing as one of the 'demonstration choirs' in the 14th China International Chorus Festival (CICF) in Beijing. This is a hugely exciting opportunity for the current choir - and we want to ask whether you can help to get them there! We have been working hard to find ways to help cover the costs of this tour through sponsorship, grants from colleges, and individual fundraising. At the moment, each student choir member would have to pay over £750 to attend, and we need your help to make this more affordable for them. Please see our Fundraising Page for more details.
In support of the fundraising effort the choir has created a new video featuring interviews with current choir member interspersed with clips of the choir performing with James Burton in 2017.
In support of the fundraising effort the choir has created a new video featuring interviews with current choir member interspersed with clips of the choir performing with James Burton in 2017.
February 2018
Steven Grahl appointed as new Organist for Christ Church Cathedral
Schola Cantorum of Oxford would like to congratulate Steven Grahl on his appointment as the new Organist at Christ Church Cathedral. Succeeding Stephen Darlington, who has held the office for 32 years, Steven takes over a unique role. As well as being Director of Music for the Cathedral, and overseeing the world-class Cathedral Choir, he will also hold significant academic roles in the Faculty of Music in the University, as well as the College. Steven will take up his new appointment in September 2018 and he is looking forward to combining this new challenge with the continuing development of Schola. Read more
What makes Schola special?
In this video, we interview our singers to find out, uncovering the diversity of their experiences, favourite Schola memories, and advice for interested applicants.
2017
Steven Grahl Appointed Conductor of Schola Cantorum of Oxford
Daniel Mahoney Appointed Conducting Fellow of Schola Cantorum of Oxford
Schola Cantorum of Oxford is delighted to announce the appointment of Steven Grahl as Conductor from the 2017-18 season. The appointment comes ahead of James Burton’s last concert as conductor scheduled for June 10. Schola are delighted to announce a second appointment, that of Daniel Mahoney to Conducting Fellow. The Conducting Fellowship is a newly created post to develop a promising young conductor, and Daniel is the first person to receive the fellowship.
Steven Grahl has been Director of Peterborough Cathedral since September 2014 but is no stranger to Oxford having studied there, been a member of the Oxford University Faculty of Music, and worked at New College, Oxford for seven years. Steven’s performances have been described as “truly inspired” and Schola Cantorum is looking forward to an exciting first season with him
Daniel Mahoney is completing an MA in Choral Conducting at the University of Birmingham under Simon Halsey and Simon Carrington. He has been described as an “exceptional performer” and Schola Cantorum will be his first appointment in the UK. There is a neat symmetry to Daniel’s appointment, he has come to the UK having sung in the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, a group which James Burton is leaving Schola to Conduct.
Read full press release
Steven Grahl has been Director of Peterborough Cathedral since September 2014 but is no stranger to Oxford having studied there, been a member of the Oxford University Faculty of Music, and worked at New College, Oxford for seven years. Steven’s performances have been described as “truly inspired” and Schola Cantorum is looking forward to an exciting first season with him
Daniel Mahoney is completing an MA in Choral Conducting at the University of Birmingham under Simon Halsey and Simon Carrington. He has been described as an “exceptional performer” and Schola Cantorum will be his first appointment in the UK. There is a neat symmetry to Daniel’s appointment, he has come to the UK having sung in the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, a group which James Burton is leaving Schola to Conduct.
Read full press release
James Burton appointed Boston Symphony Orchestra Choral Director and Conductor of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus
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After 15 years and 46 academic terms at the helm of Schola Cantorum, our beloved conductor, James Burton, will be leaving us at the end of this academic year for the USA, having been appointed the Director of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and the Choral Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Following in the footsteps of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus's long-serving founder, John Oliver, who headed the ensemble from its inception in 1970 until his retirement in 2015, James will be responsible for the singers in major choral works with the BSO, as well as expanding the choral activities of the organisation with his passion and commitment to the broadening of choral horizons that we have valued so much during his time with us. The BSO's conductor, Andris Nelsons, said, ‘James has an extraordinary ear for vocal balance and blend. His immense understanding of the numerous different languages of the chorus’s repertoire, and instincts with all musical styles, are just a few of his many gifts. He has greatly impressed us all with his ability to inspire the chorus and communicate his ideas so effectively regarding both technique and music interpretation. Finally, we all so appreciate James’ collaborative spirit in all his work, sharing his enthusiasm and passion for music with all of us. We all join him in our goal to bring our very best music-making to our wonderful audiences, who have always shown so much admiration and kind support to our all-volunteer chorus." You can hear James being interviewed on Boston Public Radio here . "I have loved choral music since I was a young boy, and I believe that singing is one of the greatest of all human endeavors, not least when voices are joined together in a true harmony," James says in his BSO announcement "For me to be given the role of bringing great choral music to Boston Symphony audiences at Symphony Hall and Tanglewood is a wonderful privilege, and I am very much looking forward to starting work." We wish him every success in his new musical home. The process of finding Schola’s next conductor will begin soon and information will be available here shortly. |
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JOIN SCHOLA
Schola is always looking for talented singers of all voice parts to join the choir- and there is no better time than the start of a new academic year.
An ensemble with a diverse and wide-reaching musical outlook, recent projects have included a collaboration with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment at our 55th Anniversary Reunion concert, a sell-out performance of Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts in with the Oxford University Jazz Orchestra, performances at the Ashmolean Museum's Live Friday events, and our most recent tours to Mexico and around the UK this year.
Applicants may be given a short piece to prepare and should bring a piece of their choice (ideally a solo song/aria from the classical repertoire)
and should expect to do some sight-singing and vocal exercises.
Auditions will last no more than ten to fifteen minutes.
For queries or to set up an audition please e-mail the choir's auditions secretary, Melissa Talbot [email protected]
An ensemble with a diverse and wide-reaching musical outlook, recent projects have included a collaboration with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment at our 55th Anniversary Reunion concert, a sell-out performance of Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts in with the Oxford University Jazz Orchestra, performances at the Ashmolean Museum's Live Friday events, and our most recent tours to Mexico and around the UK this year.
Applicants may be given a short piece to prepare and should bring a piece of their choice (ideally a solo song/aria from the classical repertoire)
and should expect to do some sight-singing and vocal exercises.
Auditions will last no more than ten to fifteen minutes.
For queries or to set up an audition please e-mail the choir's auditions secretary, Melissa Talbot [email protected]