Senior Choral Scholarships at St Mary’s, Barnes
The Senior Choral Scholarship
St Mary’s, Barnes is offering one-year scholarships to choral singers seeking to further their experience in the field of Anglican Church music.
The scholarship consists of:
- 50 services across the year between September 1, 2026 and August 31, 2027
- Choral and solo singing
- A recital opportunity
- Coaching in choral skills
- Further tailoring to the individual, which may include choral conducting, librarian duties, and junior choir
Commitment:
- 50 services across the year comprising:
- Weekly Sunday Eucharists in term time (09:15 rehearsal for 10:00 service)
- Including one Sunday Evensong per term (16:15 rehearsal for 18:00 service)
- Christmas Carol service, Ascension Day, All Souls’ Day, Ash Wednesday, and Wednesday and Thursday of Holy Week
The scholarship does not include Easter Day, Midnight Mass, or Christmas Day. For these services, scholars are offered the chance to sing at an enhanced rate of £100.
Scholars are expected to sing at every service during the parish choir term and are responsible for finding their own deputies when unavailable.
The Parish Choir breaks for two weeks after Christmas, for one week after Easter, and for approximately six weeks over summer. When the Parish Choir is not singing, scholars will be expected to take turns to solo cantor services.
Remuneration
The scholarship attracts a stipend of £2,500, paid in six equal instalments throughout the year.
Requirements
This post is open to aspiring singers at any stage in their career. It may particularly suit those studying for undergraduate degrees, those on gap years, and recent university leavers.
The successful candidates will have:
- The ability to learn music quickly and sing confidently
- A positive attitude and engagement with the choirs at St Mary’s
- A responsible approach to all commitments, including excellent preparation and punctuality
All applicants are treated on an equal basis, without reference to ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, or age. Applicants must be able to work in accordance with the church’s beliefs, mission, and ethos.
About St Mary’s
St Mary’s is a thriving parish in the heart of Barnes, with a congregation regularly exceeding 100 people. The church is a hub for musical activity, with its own in-house St Mary’s at 3 series, monthly Barnes Music Society concerts, and regular concerts held by external organisations. The church is also home to the Barnes Music Festival in March, hosting numerous concerts with international-calibre musicians.
The main 10am Eucharist service contains a congregational mass, a choral anthem, and hymns. Evensongs contain a setting of the canticles, a psalm, an anthem, an introit, and hymns.
To Apply
Please send a brief CV, outlining experience and suitability for the role, and contact details for two referees, one of whom should be able to comment on your musical ability, to [email protected].
References may be taken up prior to the interview.
St Mary’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. Recruitment for this post will be undertaken in line with the Church of England’s Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance.
If you have any questions, please email the Director of Music, Ben, at [email protected]. He is always happy to answer any questions or have an informal chat at any point.
The deadline for these scholarships is Monday 20 July.