CE Chapel of The Queen's College, Oxford May, 6th 2015

[subcontrabass]

I believe it was only in comparatively recent years that the choir from this college started to do broadcasts, recordings and tours.

It is only in comparatively recent years that they have had a professional standard choir of around 24 choral scholars.

[mopsus]

In the 1980's they were the only Oxford mixed-voice choir to offer choral scholarships; in those days there were half a dozen or so choral scholars at any one time. Oxford has more recently recognised that Cambridge has stolen a march on them in this respect; Merton also has a full choral foundation and I think scholarships are available to some of the mixed-voice choirs at other Colleges.

[subcontrabass]

In the 1980's they were the only Oxford mixed-voice choir to offer choral scholarships; in those days there were half a dozen or so choral scholars at any one time. Oxford has more recently recognised that Cambridge has stolen a march on them in this respect; Merton also has a full choral foundation and I think scholarships are available to some of the mixed-voice choirs at other Colleges.

Exeter, St John's and Worcester all have choral scholars in mixed choirs. There may well be others. Some that have purely voluntary choirs do provide some support to the singers in the form of singing lessons.

[Lento]

In the 1980's they were the only Oxford mixed-voice choir to offer choral scholarships; in those days there were half a dozen or so choral scholars at any one time. Oxford has more recently recognised that Cambridge has stolen a march on them in this respect; Merton also has a full choral foundation and I think scholarships are available to some of the mixed-voice choirs at other Colleges.

One possible downside of recent developments might be the reduction of opportunities for lesser singers to learn alongside choral scholars, though they could look for another college choir, I suppose.

[ardcarp]

Stanford in G, though... I always loathed those arpeggios!

Well, that just goes to show how different we all are! I love Stanford in G (it's partly a nostalgic thing) and very much enjoyed accompanying it...preferably with a treble/soprano with a good sense of rhythm!

Going back on topic, I haven't had time to hear The Queen's College yet, but look forward to it. I understand they have a much 'straighter' sound than G&C.

[Chris Watson]

One possible downside of recent developments might be the reduction of opportunities for lesser singers to learn alongside choral scholars, though they could look for another college choir, I suppose.

St Edmund Hall has 8 choral scholars who get singing lessons as part of their scholarship, and who sing alongside up to 20 unauditioned volunteers, and the college has a Masterclass Fund that pays for singing lessons for those volunteers who want them. And a part-time director of music who has some singing experience.

[DracoM]

Much. I do mean 'much'.

[ardcarp]

And a part-time director of music who has some singing experience.

Litotes?

[Mr Stoat]

Not that I play it nowadays, but I have to confess that I've never understood what the problem is with Stanford in A. Stanford in G, though... I always loathed those arpeggios! .

I had to play Stanford in A once (big combined choirs at Canterbury - got away with the Tuba in the Nunc - my favourite moment in any evening setting!) but I LOATHE A major - don't ask me why! I've so far escaped Stanford in G - and am now too old to be likely to have to play it!

[ardcarp]

Just heard CE from QC. Very accomplished singing, well directed; and the Frobenius sounded surprisingly English, never over-dominating. An enjoyable listen.

[W.Kearns]

St Edmund Hall has 8 choral scholars who get singing lessons as part of their scholarship, and who sing alongside up to 20 unauditioned volunteers, and the college has a Masterclass Fund that pays for singing lessons for those volunteers who want them. And a part-time director of music who has some singing experience.

Although I was at another college, I sang with SEH choir as an 'unauditioned volunteer' in the early 1980s. At that time, conditions differed markedly from the present. I don't, for instance, remember there being any choral scholars and the quality of our singing was no doubt variable. That said, we all learnt a huge amount and, one way and another, had a very good time. Sorry, this contribution is more nostalgic than erudite, but mention of St Edmund Hall brings good memories to mind. Thanks for your post, CW.

[ardcarp]

There is a down side to the increasing trend for professionals (sorry Chris!) to run the smaller...or should I say less famous... college chapel choirs. That is that organ scholars, who used to run the choir as well, emerge without the experience of choir-training. Granted, it was a lottery. A few were very good, most average and a few clueless (after all, being able to play the organ is hardly a qualification for choir-training....discuss). There is no doubt though that many of the smaller colleges are now up there and batting with the big boys.

[mopsus]

I don't have recent experience, but I did sing for a year for a college choir with a professional DoM (Christ's, Cambridge). During my year the senior organ scholar conducted several services each term (the choir sang two a week), and the junior did at least a couple during the year. I think also that involving a professional DoM is often part of a wider programme of building up the choral foundation which includes singing more services.

Lento has a point, I think. When I've chatted to members of Merton's choir, I've found that the non-choral scholars are people from other colleges (for example, someone who had been in New College Choir but given it up). There didn't appear to be Mertonians other than choral scholars in the choir. I'd be interested to hear whether that is currently the case.

[AuntyKezia]

Re message 27, I was at a concert given by Exeter College Choir last night (not in their chapel), and to quote from the programme notes: "The Chapel Choir of Exeter College remains the only choir in either Oxford or Cambridge under the sole direction of the Organ Scholar ..." They sang unaccompanied throughout, and to my ear could not have been bettered. The pieces ranged from Tallis to Tippett, and at one point the organ scholar/director also sang the solo part in RVW's Turtle Dove - obviously a multi-talented young man. In fact the whole thing was a marvellous experience for us out here in the sticks.

[subcontrabass]

, and to quote from the programme notes: "The Chapel Choir of Exeter College remains the only choir in either Oxford or Cambridge under the sole direction of the Organ Scholar ..."

Hmmm. In Oxford, the choirs at Jesus, Lincoln, and St John's (and probably others) are directed by the organ scholars.