The Choir Association,
St John's College, Cambridge

Bursaries

The Bursary Scheme

The Bursary Scheme was set up in 1998 to provide sums of money to assist with a musical project, activity or piece of equipment, which current or former members of the Choir, including Organ Scholars, cannot entirely fund themselves.

A significant percentage of Choristers, Choral Scholars and Organ Scholars complete their time in the Choir and move on to a career in music. The list of prominent names over the years is endless, but includes Sir David Lumsden, Stephen Cleobury, John Scott, David Hill, Robert King, Kenneth Bowen, Simon Keenlyside, Jeremy Huw-Williams and Andrew Andrew Nethsingha to name but a few. Many are awarded scholarships at renowned music schools such as the Royal Academy of Music.

The transition from university to professional career in music is a difficult and expensive time and those treading this pathway need as much help as possible to ease their considerable financial burden. Typical post-graduate course fees at one of the major musical establishments can be around £6,000 per annum. Students also have to meet accommodation and living costs and may study for up to three years. Similarly, there are times when finance is desperately needed for a musical project, activity or piece of equipment which the individual is unable to entirely fund for himself. The Choir Association is there to help in these situations. In 1998 the first award of £250 was made to a former Choral Scholar to assist with his tuition fees at the Royal Academy, and since then further awards have been made annually.