BEVAN CHORISTER AWARD
DOWNSIDE SCHOOL
Registered Charity No: 1184700
BACKGROUND
Downside School is well known for its active Music Department and many individuals have made a significant contribution over the years. Roger Bevan re-established Downside’s musical heritage during his tenure as Director of Music between 1953 and 1983, Tony Bevan for 38 Years and Rachel Bevan for 27 years and founder of the Girls Chamber Choir all who have influenced many pupils’ musical experience and for some, their life long musical careers.
We are incredibly fortunate to have a full, functioning mixed choir (Schola Cantorum), consisting of pupils aged 11 through to 18 years, allowing all choristers to sing within their vocal range.
For boy trebles, once their voices break, there are very few schools which offer a sung service every week, where tenors and basses can learn and gain experience. The opportunity to sing as a bass, tenor, alto or soprano until Upper Sixth Form, is a huge benefit for choristers who may be considering applying for a choral scholarship at university.
Singing a different Mass setting every week is undoubtedly something quite significant that Downside can offer
CURRENT PROFILE
Our current Choral Scholars receive a number of benefits, these include:
Fee Remission
Up to 10% annual fee remission.
Two Free Lessons per Week
Costing the School around £2,000 per academic year, per pupil.
Priority on Concert Trips
Scholars will be considered first to join the Music Department in exclusive concert trips.
Extra Opportunities
The Music Department will provide as many musical opportunities (i.e. ensembles, masterclasses and performances) as time and staffing will allow, in order for them to develop their skills and musicianship
As a member of the Schola Cantorum, I have the opportunity to develop my skills within a supportive, encouraging environment ” - Current Pupil
2023-24 Scholarship Award
The Scholarship Award subsumes all financial contributions, including means-tested bursaries, OG discount, music tuition and Scholarship award
PROPOSAL
Rachel Bevan was an energetic and much-loved singing teacher at Downside, who made an enormous impact on choristers and those within the Music Department To honour Rachel’s memory and build upon her legacy, we would like to make Downside more accessible for aspiring musicians, whilst enhancing the current programme for all.
The spiritual life of the School is central to all that we do, including sung mass in the Abbey Church and by attracting talented and enthusiastic individuals to join us as Bevan Choristers, we can build upon the foundations already in place.
VISION
The sense of community and support is tangible amongst pupils, and this can only be achieved by the distinct mix of families from all walks of life. However, not everyone has the financial means to obtain a Downside education
The Bevan Choristers Award will provide the financial assistance to ensure talented individuals have the opportunity to take part in this journey. They will be welcomed into the Chamber Choir, which represents our strongest vocalists and will receive a high level of professional guidance and experience such as the London Carol Service.
To elevate the current standard within Downside’s choir by attracting and retaining talented singers, forming part of our highly skilled Chamber Choir and Schola Cantorum.
An optimum number of Bevan Choristers would be six pupils of mixed age at any one time within the School. It is anticipated that this could take up to five years to build upon and will be an ongoing development, requiring annual funding and sponsorship
The long-term aspiration would be that all Members of the Chamber Choir receive the Bevan Chorister Award for demonstrating their high skills and commitment.
WHO IS A BEVAN CHORISTER?
Bevan Choristers are enthusiastic singers, with a keen ear and good vocal range. They will have a passion for liturgical and choral music demonstrating potential to expand and improve their skills and expertise. We are not expecting the finished article, but a commitment to participate fully in all that being a Chorister offers.
Their involvement with the Schola Cantorum and the Chamber Choir provides the opportunity to lead other singers in Downside’s unique choral tradition but also to ensure that their own aural skills are being developed.
Whilst progression through grade exams will be observed, we are equally concerned with the overall development of musicianship. Bevan Choristers will take charge of their learning, setting targets, and using their initiative to discover music they would like to learn and perform, concerts they would like to hear, or ensembles they might like to join.
Roger Bevan - 1956
THE BENEFITS OF BEING A BEVAN CHORISTER
Receiving a Bevan Chorister Award includes:
An attractive fee remission of 25%, which is non-means-tested.
Become a Member of the Mixed Chamber Choir and the Schola Cantorum.
Two free singing lessons per week
An opportunity to participate in external events, such as the London Carol Service.
Sing weekly in School Mass at the Abbey Church and special Masses.
Sing in additional School concerts, including one major choral concert a year alongside a professional orchestra and soloists.
Invitation to Music Scholars’ dinner
Assistance with university application, including access to a professional recording studio for choral auditions.
Priority in concert trips.
In addition to the fee award, applicants may apply for means-tested bursary funding
PROCESS
Individuals are encouraged to apply for a Bevan Chorister Award via our Admissions Department, prior to the assessment date, which takes place during January.
As with all other Scholarships and Awards, the Bevan Chorister Award will be reviewed each year, and any pupil who is not meeting expectations may have their Award withdrawn
FINANCIAL STRUCTURE
One full Bevan Chorister Award requires an annual sponsorship of £13,000 for each year the pupil is in the School. The table below demonstrates an example annual financial commitment:
Long-Term Vision
In September 2024 we allocated our first Bevan Chorister Award thanks to generous donors. We now seek to build the fund, enabling further Awards each year. An example of funding for subsequent years and each additional Award offered is shown below, totally six Awards by 2028.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Please help us honour the legacy of Rachel and the Bevan family by donating now or contact Jess Newman, Director of Development by emailing jnewman@downside.co.uk
Donations of all levels are greatly appreciated and do not need to sponsor a whole Award A 50% Award sponsorship would be £6,500 per annum, before higher-rate taxpayer deductions.
