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Which are the most renowned colleges for choirs?

Choirboy

I have found that most colleges will have a choir, but would really appreciate to know which ones have the most able singers and which ones are more generous in awarding choral scholarships.
I would like to read physics / phy nat sci and know for examples that King's College at Cambridge do not allow this combination.

At Cambridge, the very best are King's, John's, Trinity, Clare and Caius- the latter three are mixed and have only 3 services a week, whereas the former two are choral foundations and have a hell of a lot of singing each week.

In addition, there are plenty of other excellent choirs around Cambridge: Jesus, Selwyn, Christ's, Sidney Sussex and others, where there will be plenty of opportunities to sing to a really high standard as well as study. That's the amazing thing about Cambridge- many of the Chapel choirs are really very good indeed.

At Oxford, I think it would be fair to say that there are fewer Chapel choirs of comparable quality- from what I know (from my friends applying/singing there) the three choral foundations are obviously great (New, Christchurch and Magdalen) and then Queens' is a very good mixed choir. There are others but I don't know them that well...

Reply 21

NJHL

1

Oh and also, if you have iTunes (who doesn't?) go to iTunes U or type in 'merton college choir'. they upload evensongs there so you can gauge their standard- so far the music hasn't been bad in selection (Howells Coll Reg, Byrd 2nd, When David Heard) but I'm not sure I like their sound...bit uneven.

But yes, make your own mind up. What with Peter Phillips directing (he did the Tallis Scholars) they could be seriously good in a couple of years.

Reply 22

Cirsium

19

swiftuk

I'm alto/contralto, have been known to sing tenor in certain pieces due to deplorable lack of boys.

Sounds like it's worth trying :smile:

(depends what sort of solo though, my current music is fairly 'eclectic' ).

I can't speak for Worcester but in general (I considered defecting... several times... so explored what was required for auditions at Peters / Exeter / Lincoln) any kind of classical will do it really. Obviously you'd be better able to demonstrate your talents with something from the Messiah or the St. Matthew Passion than if you sang the Cat Duet, but you've pretty much got free reign as long as it demonstrates your range and that you can sing accurately and have nice tone.

Reply 23

swiftuk

Bekaboo

I can't speak for Worcester but in general (I considered defecting... several times... so explored what was required for auditions at Peters / Exeter / Lincoln) any kind of classical will do it really. Obviously you'd be better able to demonstrate your talents with something from the Messiah or the St. Matthew Passion than if you sang the Cat Duet, but you've pretty much got free reign as long as it demonstrates your range and that you can sing accurately and have nice tone.

Cool

I may get some advice from any MDs I can find still in the country :wink:

(as most of the classical pieces I have at the moment are to stretch my 'comfortable' range too much to be safe - trying to push to mezzo).

I wanted to try out for Worcester because of time constraints/weather (fine in the summer, but poor mobility and rain/wind will turn the walk from Worcs. to e.g. St Peters into a 20 minute one...although St Peter's chapel is beautiful, and flat access).

Editted to add: Excellent point re: Messiah :smile:

(only music I have left as I've put everything into storage until I know about accomm).

But who may abide if I have a cold, "how beautiful are the feet" if I can breathe :wink:

Reply 24

Ars Ludicra

10

Choirboy

Here:
Quote Can I study any course?
Some Colleges restrict the subjects you may apply for as a Choral Award-holder. Applications from potential Choral Award-holders will NOT normally be considered by applicants hoping to study the following subjects.

College Restrictions
Christ’s Architecture
Clare no subject restrictions
Corpus Christi no subject restrictions
Downing no subject restrictions
Fitzwilliam no subject restrictions
Girton no subject restrictions
Gonville and Caius no subject restrictions
Jesus no subject restrictions
King’s Veterinary Medicine, Architecture, Medicine, Natural Science, Engineering, Education ....
Unquote

The link is http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/musicawards/choral.html

I think perhaps colleges are slightly more flexible than that list would suggest. I know someone with a choral scholarship at King's who I'm quite certain is doing Theology. I don't know if that's just because he was particularly good (he is pretty amazing), but perhaps it would be worth enquiring about it if you're really interested. :smile:

Reply 25

Cirsium

19

Ars Ludicra

I think perhaps colleges are slightly more flexible than that list would suggest. I know someone with a choral scholarship at King's who I'm quite certain is doing Theology. I don't know if that's just because he was particularly good (he is pretty amazing), but perhaps it would be worth enquiring about it if you're really interested. :smile:

But that list of subjects that Kings does not accept doesn't include Theology....

Reply 26

Ars Ludicra

10

Bekaboo

But that list of subjects that Kings does not accept doesn't include Theology....

You're right! :rolleyes:

I read the list as the subjects a choral scholar CAN read. Sorry about that.

Which are the most renowned colleges for choirs?

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