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Musical scholarships

Choral scholarships

Local churches and cathedrals offer scholarships to our students who sing in their choirs. The amounts available and commitment required vary with each institution but full details and contact information are available on their websites. An interview or audition is required.

Many of our students (particularly from the Department of Music) have been successful members of the choirs over the years. These are tremendous opportunities to develop high-level experience as well as great ways to maintain and deepen the university's links with the local community.

It is not necessary to be awarded a scholarship to sing with the choirs and the scholarships are open to all students.

Barber organ scholarship

The Barber Organ Scholarship was founded in 1978 by the Barber Trust. Thanks to additional and generous financial assistance from St Mary’s, Nottingham, its present value is £1250 per annum plus a programme of coaching on all aspects of accompaniment with the Director of Music at St Mary’s, Nottingham.

The Scholarship is awarded annually, following auditions, and may be renewed for one year where appropriate.

Organs

The holder will have access to the University’s distinguished instruments:

• three-manual Norman & Beard (1909, rebuilt Willis 1957)
• two-manual Willis (1956)
• chamber organ by Collins (1974)

At St Mary’s they will have use of the famous Marcussen (1973) and Viscount (2014).

Conditions of the award

1. The Scholar must be reading for a first degree or a postgraduate degree, diploma, or certificate at the University of Nottingham. Preference may be given to a student taking a course in Music.
2. The Scholarship will be awarded for one year in the first instance, but may be renewed for one year where appropriate.
3. The duties of the Scholar will be agreed between the Department of Music and the Director of Music at St Mary’s. The Scholar will be required to attend and accompany Friday evening rehearsals at St Mary’s and play for Sunday morning services during term time, with occasional exceptions (eg, a mid-week High Day or a Sunday evening).
4. The Scholar may also be required to undertake ad hoc musical duties on campus in conjunction with the Department of Music and University Chaplaincy, provided such additional duties do not interfere with the Scholar’s academic work.

Applying for the award

Applications are invited for the 2025-26 award.

Applicants should send a brief CV outlining their performing and accompanying experience to Dr Henry Parkes, Department of Music (henry.parkes@nottingham.ac.uk) by no later than 31 January 2025. Auditions are normally held in February

Download details of the Barber Organ Scholarship 2024-25 (pdf 130KB)