CHORAL SCHOLARSHIPS AT ST JOHN’S
St John’s College Choir is the most extraordinary group, and I’m pleased to have the chance to share something of its magic with you in the coming pages. Behind the Choir’s famously open-hearted musicianship and technical precision is a commitment to the development of every singer. The musical and social are intertwined, and there is a nurturing culture of mutual support that builds confidence and provides the right environment for each individual to flourish. It’s a joy to work with such talented, passionate musicians as we maintain the centuries-old tradition cherished here in Cambridge and by so many all over the world. I’m always delighted to meet, hear, and advise singers who have an interest in joining the Choir. Please don’t worry that you may not be of the right standard; it’s potential rather than current ability that we’re looking for. I hope to meet you soon, Christopher Gray Director of Music
T: +44 (0) 1223 338 718 E: choir@joh.cam.ac.uk
www.sjcchoir.co.uk
WHY ST JOHN’S
The music: Our choral scholars enjoy the exhilarating experience of being part of a group of performers that is so committed to achieving the highest level of musicianship within a huge range of repertoire. The regularity of performance, the technical work accomplished through singing tuition, and singing in the free and warm style of the ‘St John’s Sound’ gives choral scholars an unparalleled opportunity to develop as singers and as musicians.
The Gents: Being part of the close-knit team of choral and organ scholars – known in College as ‘The Gents’ – provides new students with a great group of friends. A mixed-gender group, the original moniker ‘The Gents’ has stuck, along with the sense of camaraderie and mutual support that the group offers one another during their time at Cambridge and beyond.
The structure: Adapting to university life without the structure of the school timetable can be challenging. Often, our choral scholars find the regular daily services very helpful in planning out their schedules. Time spent in the Chapel also offers vital periods of quiet and reflection, which can be of great benefit to students’ wellbeing when dealing with the pressures that come with academic study.
The Director: Chris maintains the Choir’s tradition of rooting musical excellence in the wellbeing and development of every singer. He encourages an emotionally connected sound that authentically reflects the vocal colour and musical personality of the group.
The College: The Choir is very fortunate to be situated within the St John’s community. The College has a thriving musical scene, and it offers choral scholars a great opportunity to collaborate with the other talented musicians who study here.
“To have sung in the Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge was to be offered a glimpse of absolutely everything that music making could be; passion, commitment, and emotion on a daily basis. Without question I owe every musical fibre of my being to this choir.” Iestyn Davies MBE Chorister 1987-93, Choral Scholar 1999-2002
WHO WE ARE The Choir has been an essential part of the life of St John’s College for 350 years, and it is known and loved throughout the world through its broadcasts, concert tours, and recordings. Our members consist of twenty choristers, two organ scholars, and around fifteen choral scholars who perform as the alto, tenor, and bass singers of the choir. Our unique character and warm, distinctive ‘St John’s Sound’ developed over the forty-year directorship of George Guest, and this tradition has been preserved and enhanced by his successors: Christopher Robinson, David Hill, Andrew Nethsingha and now Christopher Gray. The choir has had a profound musical influence on an international level through the successes of its alumni and its seminal recordings, most recently produced on our award-winning ‘St John’s Cambridge’ label.
As well as performing a rich musical repertoire that spans the last five centuries, we are renowned for championing contemporary music by commissioning new works from renowned composers, as well as from students at Cambridge who are about to embark on their own compositional careers. Many of these works have employed the skills of the highly talented instrumentalists who are also members of St John’s College. Services that hold a special significance to us throughout the year include termly performances of Bach cantatas in our Chapel with St John’s Sinfonia, the Ascension Day celebrations from the top of the Chapel Tower (the tallest building in Cambridge), and our Advent Carol Services which are broadcast annually on BBC Radio 3.
The Choir in concert at The Concertgebouw, Amsterdam Photo: Simon van Boxtel
WHAT WE DO Choral scholars’ weekly termtime commitments are similar to many choirs within what is known as the Anglican choral tradition, and our duties are an integral part of our role to enhance the spiritual life for members of all faiths at St John’s College. Evening rehearsals and ‘Evensong’ – a 40 minute service of words and music that forms a central part of this tradition – take place every day except Monday, as well as a rehearsal and morning service on Sundays. Listen to the Choir
We also perform in broadcasts and recordings, at concerts, and on tours across the UK and internationally; these are spaced throughout the year and are arranged with care to ensure a healthy balance with academic studies and free time. Unlike many other choirs of our nature, we do not perform regular services throughout the Christmas and Easter seasons, which gives the whole choir more time to rest during these holidays. St John’s choral scholars are provided with free singing tuition, and all costs associated with the Choir’s tours and concerts are covered. Choral scholars are also offered a small financial award each year, and this can be supplemented by performing in numerous engagement opportunities with the Gents of St John’s, the choral and organ scholars’ self-directed ensemble. Alongside singing with the Choir, choral scholars are encouraged to take part in other musical activities and many choose to sing in numerous recitals, concerts, and operas which take place at St John’s and elsewhere in Cambridge throughout the year.
ALICE MARKHAM I’m Alice, I’m from Derby, I’m a second year studying English Literature at John’s and for A level I studied History, Music, and English Literature.
What do you like most about life at St John’s College? This college is BEAUTIFUL! Not only are the grounds a feast for my eyes, but I love the bar and cafeteria - they’re both really nice places to work, chill or meet your friends in. And of course, I love being a part of the choir! What do you like most about singing in the Choir? The people you meet really are some of the most incredible musicians. I love the peace Evensong can bring to a very busy day, and I’ve formed some really beautiful friendships with people through music making. What does being a ‘Gent’ mean to you? Being a Gent means being part of a family (going back generations) of which everyone cares really deeply for one another, and for making music. I feel I’m looked out for, and that I always have someone to talk to in any situation.
How has your experience as a choral scholar prepared you for the future? I’ve experienced the beauty of making choral music and grown a huge love for doing so. I’ve learnt the importance of strong relationships in creating powerful music and how being a part of a choir is largely about connecting with the other singers. Taking risks is way more useful, and exciting, than remaining comfortable and avoiding a risk because of potential to fail. What advice would you give to a prospective choral applicant? Be yourself and don’t be scared to try something new. Just go for it because honestly, you are in the best hands here, and you will learn so much.
GARBHÁN MCENOY My name is Garbhán, the choir’s resident Irish person, and I’m from Belfast. I studied Music, Geography, Art, and Music for my A levels, and I’m now in my second year studying Music at Girton College.
Why did you choose the Choir of St John’s? Being a choral singer in my school and local church, I knew for a long time that I wanted to apply to Cambridge for its choral excellence. Every choral director I asked for advice pointed me in the direction of John’s – in the year before my application, their recording of Dove’s “Seek Him That Maketh The Seven Stars” became one of my top tracks on Spotify and I knew it was the choir I wanted to join! What do you like most about singing in the Choir? Before university, like a lot of people I’ve often struggled with self-confidence, both in singing and general life. John’s Chapel’s incredible acoustic and our director’s sensitive style of rehearsal fosters confidence in each individual voice, and I’ve found myself constantly encouraged to embrace my full sound.
What has been your favourite experience so far in the Choir, and why? It’s hard to beat our sold-out performance in Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, on our Luxembourg & Netherlands tour – I felt sort of like a rock star, if rock stars performed William Byrd and Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck. What impact has being part of this group had on your time at Cambridge? Singing together every day means we become really in-tune (pun intended) with each other, both in and out of the stalls. It’s been endlessly helpful having the Gents have my back navigating the fast-paced world of Cambridge, and I always know that I have somewhere that I fit in. What advice would you give to a prospective choral applicant? Just go for it! Like I said, once you’re a Gent, you always have somewhere that you fit in here at Cambridge.
THE GENTS OF ST JOHN’S Our choral and organ scholars perform as their own self-directed ensemble, the Gents of St John’s. Repertoire ranges from sacred music and folksongs to the prized close-harmony arrangements, which are mostly written by past and present members of the group. As well as the legendary 5am slot at the St John’s May Ball and the Christmas Gig at the Maypole pub, the Gents have a busy yearly schedule of tours and concerts, which provide paid opportunities for its members. They have also released multiple albums.
HOW TO APPLY
“Definitely do it – I made the choice to apply to St John’s myself and can’t think of anywhere where I would have had a better time or learnt as much.” Choral Scholar
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“It may seem daunting, but it will honestly be the best decision you have ever made.”
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Visit Us: If you’re interested in joining St John’s, come and visit us! There are college and university choral open days throughout the year. You are very welcome to come and see us, have an informal meeting with Chris, chat with current choral scholars, and hear the Choir perform: contact us to arrange a visit.
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Choral Scholar
Mid February: Apply for a Choral Award: If you receive an academic offer from the university, you can apply for a Choral Award using the application form available on the university Choral Awards site. If your offer is from a college other than St John’s, you may wish to apply for a volunteer choral position in our choir.
15th October: Apply for an academic place at St John’s: this is the entry deadline for Cambridge undergraduate UCAS applications. Following the December interview period, you will receive a decision before the end of January. [N.B.] Architecture, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine Students cannot hold Choral Awards at St John’s College.
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Early February: Attend a Choral Award Open Day at St John’s. These are a great opportunity to meet current choral scholars and other prospective applicants, and sing Evensong with the Choir.
March: Choral Auditions: you will be considered for choral awards according to the order of preference indicated on your application form. All of your auditions will be completed within a day.
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To find out more information about applying, visit sjcchoir.co.uk/join/becoming-choral-scholar and the university Choral Awards site.
PREPARING FOR YOUR AUDITION BEFORE YOU APPLY
Discover choirs and other music groups in your school and local area: any musical experience is helpful! If you’re based in the UK, you might like to participate in national organisations such as the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain or music college junior departments.
THE AUDITION
Take part in choral experiences. Here are two suggestions: Cambridge Choral Experience Days for state school students are held in June, and they offer a free opportunity to prepare music, visit Cambridge colleges, and hear about singing technique and the application process. Rodolfus Foundation Choral Courses for singers aged 16-21 take place in the summer each year, one of which is held in Cambridge. Participants receive a week of choral experience, vocal masterclasses, a cappella workshops, sessions with visiting conductors, and lessons in Alexander Technique. There are fees to pay: means-tested bursaries are available.
Meet Chris: If you’re a little nervous about the formal audition process, our director Chris would be more than happy to meet with you beforehand in order to give some feedback and advice in an informal setting. The earlier you first meet him the better, in case he suggests specific things for you to work on.
Music to perform: Check the university’s Choral Awards site for piece requirements. When deciding on what you would like to sing, go for something that you feel comfortable with and that you think shows your voice at its best. Don’t feel like you have to perform something overly complex or difficult. Speak to your school music teachers, singing teacher if you have one, and choir directors who can help you choose the right piece and guide you on how to prepare. Learn and practice your music as much as you can, perhaps even having a mock performance at home or at school.
Sight-reading and ear tests: At the formal audition, you will be asked to try some sightreading and to take ear tests. Many successful applicants to our choir have not had the experience of regular sightreading prior to their singing with us. We offer support to new choral scholars who need help with this aspect of choral performance before they begin singing with the Choir.
AFTER ST JOHN’S Choral scholars establish firm friendships during their time at St John’s, and once they finish their studies they join a wide network of alumni. Some have gone on to establish careers as singers or in other roles in the music industry, with others achieving top positions in a wide variety of professions. Numerous alumni have commented on how important their experience as a choral scholar was to shaping their lives and careers, and many return to St John’s for choir and reunion events throughout the year.
Countertenor Iestyn Davies MBE, tenor Allan Clayton, and baritone Sir Simon Keenlyside have all gone on to become internationally acclaimed soloists. Singers such as Simon Wall and Tim Jones now perform regularly with the finest choral ensembles in the UK, including the Sixteen and the Tallis Scholars. Chris Gabbitas and Julian Gregory went on to be members of the King’s Singers, and Alasdair Austin is a member of The Gesualdo Six.
Hugh Cutting and Gareth Brynmor John won the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Award, and Theodore Platt was awarded second place. Sir David Poutney is now an Olivier Award winning theatre and opera director and librettist, and conductor Jonathan Nott is the Music and Artistic Director of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, as well as guest conductor of orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
“I’ve never encountered more wonderful musicians and music-making.” Sir Simon Keenlyside Chorister 1967-72, Choral Scholar 1980-3
Alumni at the annual Garden Party
CONTACT US If you have anything you want to ask us, or you wish to arrange a visit to St John’s, please contact us at T: +44 (0) 1223 338 718 E: choir@joh.cam.ac.uk
www.sjcchoir.co.uk