GCU Tenor Choral Scholarships

About the scholarships

Goldsmiths Choral Union, which recently celebrated its 90th Anniversary Season, is looking to appoint two tenor choral scholars for the 2024-2025 season. The London-based choir performs a wide variety of classical repertoire and sings in all the major concert venues across the capital including The Barbican, Cadogan Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall and St John’s Smith Square.

The choir is friendly and welcoming while seeking to produce high quality concerts that are rewarding and stimulating for performers and audiences alike.

We expect that the successful applicants will be aspiring professional singers, who wish to expand their knowledge of symphonic choral repertoire and ensemble singing. The two scholars will be highly appreciated members of the ensemble, committing and contributing to weekly rehearsals, promoted concerts as well as the social life of the choir.

The scholarships are open to singers aged 18-30, or students in full or part-time music education. An annual stipend of £1,000 will be paid to each scholar across three terms.

Expectations of the Scholars

Attendance at weekly rehearsals in South Kensington, London on Wednesday evenings from 18.30 - 21.00, providing confident and musical vocal support for your fellow tenor colleagues. Absences may be permitted by prior agreement with the Music Director.

Mandatory attendance at the four main “self-promoted” concerts staged by GCU over the 2024-2025 season: 7th November, 13th December, 28 March, June (date to be confirmed).

Willingness to participate in other musical and social events in the choir’s calendar, e.g termly choir socials etc.

There is scope for possible leadership development opportunities e.g leading occasional warm-ups and vocal coaching sessions during a regular Wednesday night rehearsal. Basic supportive piano skills are desirable but by no means essential.

Support the choir publicity team with social media and content for the choir website documenting the scholarship scheme e.g a blog.

Acknowledge the choir in your professional biography for all internal and external engagements where appropriate.

Expectations of the Choir

• Annual Stipend of £1,000

• Opportunities for step-out solos in main concerts (dependent on repertoire).

• One Scholars’ Recital a year, proceeds to go directly to the scholars.

• Two vocal coaching sessions with Music Director Jack Apperley and Assistant Conductor and Accompanist Steve Jones, focusing on solo repertoire.

• GCU will provide copies of music for the choir’s self-promoted concerts (excluding the Scholars’ Recital) for the year.

Audition information

Auditions will take place on the evenings of Wednesday 22 and 29th May at Queen’s Gate House, 65 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, SW7 5JS or if this is impractical, at another time by arrangement with the conductor.

Please note we cannot provide assistance towards your travel costs to the audition.

The audition will consist of:

• Two contrasting solo songs

• Sight-reading tests

• Aural tests

• An informal chat with the Musical Director and a committee member

How to apply:

Please send the following by email to Robin Happé, Secretary of Goldsmiths Choral Union by midnight Wednesday 8 May:

• Your CV

• A link to a recording of two contrasting pieces no more than ten minutes in length in total

• A covering letter