Organ Scholarships

The Parry-Wood Organ Scholarship

The Organ Scholarship at Exeter is unique: it is the only place in either Oxford or Cambridge where a choir, run entirely by the Organ Scholar, sings three services a week. This means it is both challenging and tremendously exciting, giving an unrivalled opportunity to develop as a fully-rounded musician with significant managerial and organisational abilities.

The number of services means there are plenty of opportunities to hone playing and conducting skills. Other responsibilities involve choosing the music lists, organising tours and concerts, administering the termly organ recital series, and auditioning new members. The Organ Scholar is also expected to foster the Musical life of the College generally. In all matters he or she is required to work closely with the Chaplain. Time-management skills are essential, as well as the obvious playing and conducting ability and a sense of how liturgy and worship are conducted. Prospective Scholars should have a minimum of a good pass at Grade 8 or equivalent.

Exeter’s Organ Scholarship is highly regarded, with past holders going on to hold organist posts at St Paul’s, Chester, Ely, Westminster, Truro, Blackburn, Portsmouth, Salisbury, Gloucester, and Manhattan Cathedrals, or to become Directors of Music at Eton, Harrow, Wellington, Charterhouse, Latymer, Sherborne, and Oundle schools.

There are significant rewards for Organ Scholars, including:

  • An honorarium currently worth £320 pa, credited against battels.
  • Excellent rooms in College for three years (with piano). The Senior Organ Scholar’s set, recently renovated, comprises three rooms including en suite bathroom.
  • Free dinners after every sung service (Formal Hall on Tuesdays and Sundays).
  • Organ and conducting lessons paid for by the College, worth over £600 pa.
  • Additional payment for weddings, baptisms and occasional services.
  • Practice and performance opportunities on the thrilling Walker organ.

The Organ Scholarship is offered for candidates intending to read Music. The selection of the Organ Scholar takes place in September, when candidates will also undertake admissions tests and interviews to read Music. The College seeks to elect an Organ Scholar every other year, so that there will be two Scholars in residence for two out of every three years. The scholarship will therefore next be offered for entry in 2013 or 2015. For further information on the application procedure, please click here or email the Organ Scholars.

Joshua Hales (Senior Organ Scholar)

Joshua Hales began his musical training in Wigan, Lancashire, at the age of eight, learning the trumpet. In 2005 he took up the organ, studying under John Benson, before attending Chetham's School of Music for his sixth-form education, where he studied organ with Christopher Stokes as well as piano, harpsichord and trumpet. In 2008 he went to Truro Cathedral as Organ Scholar for one year, before going up to Exeter College, where he currently reads for a degree in Music together with his role as Senior Organ Scholar. His duties in this capacity involve recruiting, training and conducting the well-respected mixed-voice chapel choir, who sing three choral services per week, as well as playing the organ on other occasions. Joshua currently studies organ with Daniel Hyde, having previously studied with Clive Driskill-Smith, and conducting with Paul Spicer. In September 2012 Joshua will become Organ Scholar at Salisbury Cathedral.

George de Voil (Junior Organ Scholar)

George de Voil received his education as a music scholar at the London Oratory School, where he became became a Choral Scholar in the Schola Cantorum under the direction of Lee Ward. During this time he acted as a deputy organist for school services and concerts. Having taken up the organ at the age of thirteen, George learnt initially with Nicholas O’Neill; he now studies with Steven Grahl and Andrew Dewar. He has also taken part in masterclasses with Jacques van Oortemessen, Clive Driskill-Smith, William Whitehead and Ashley Grote. George is taught conducting by Paul Spicer.

George won the Organ Scholarship to St Mary’s, Barnes in July 2010 where his responsibilities culminated a spell as interim Assistant Organist. George became Junior Organ Scholar at Exeter College in October 2011. He is also Organist to the London-based chamber choir Floreat Cantus. He has given recitals in Hampstead, Barnes, Oxford and at St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol. Future plans include Saint-Saens’ Organ Symphony on the newly restored Hill organ at St Barnabas, Pitshanger Lane, Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony at Eton College, and recitals at King’s College London and Truro Cathedral.