Choral Scholarships at St John's

CHORAL SCHOLARSHIPS AT ST JOHN’S

It’s a pleasure to tell you about the wonderful Choir here at St John’s. I’ve been fortunate to be Director of Music since 2007, having also been Organ Scholar in the late 1980s under the great George Guest.

My aim is to foster a warm, friendly atmosphere in which singers support one another personally as well as musically. My hope is that the warmth and enjoyment can then be heard in the Choir’s sound. It’s a joy to work with such enthusiastic, talented and intelligent young singers. The constant influx of new singers and organists, and the ever-changing repertoire, ensure that the Choir stays fresh from one year to the next.

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, Andrew Nethsingha 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, who are there to give mutual support over their time together 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: All our choral scholars have been able to draw from the immense support Andrew offers as a great musician, mentor, and friend.

He is able to call on his experiences as a former Organ Scholar at St John’s to encourage the Choir’s friendly and supportive atmosphere.

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 and now Andrew Nethsingha. 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 period instrument ensemble 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 Singapore Esplanade

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.

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 Gentlemen 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.

ALEX SEMPLE I’m Alex Semple and I’m from Ashtead in Surrey where I live with my mum and my sister. I study Music at St John’s and before this I studied Music, Maths and History at A Level.

What was the deciding factor in your choosing St John’s?

I really wanted to connect the academic study of music with its performance element, and I felt John’s offered the most in terms of support and opportunities for performance.

What do you like most about life at St John’s College?

Whilst it’s great to have so much independence and freedom at university, having choir at the same time each evening is really helpful in terms of structuring a day. It also provides an opportunity to get away from any stresses of work which can be a huge relief.

Which piece of music have you enjoyed performing with the Choir most, and why?

Elgar’s Give unto the Lord is a huge highlight for me. It’s such amazing music by itself, but singing such a great work surrounded by your mates and under Andrew’s direction makes it even better.

What is your favourite Choir or Gents album and why?

The Gents’ Christmas albums (White Christmas and A Gentle Christmas) never fail to bring smiles to everyone’s faces during the festive season.

If you had one thing to say to a prospective choral applicant, what would it be?

Put everything you’ve got into it and go for it. It’s a really fantastic experience and not one to pass on if you have the chance!

ALEC D’OYLY My name is Alec, and I’ve lived in Cambridge since I was 9. I took Theology, Politics, and English for A Level, and I’m now studying English after changing from Theology in my first term.

What was the deciding factor in your choosing St John’s?

I’ve had an affinity with St John’s specifically ever since I started singing in the choir as a treble. I used to look at how much fun the Gents in the back row were having, and decided from that point that I was going to try to join the ranks!

What do you like most about life at St John’s College?

The College itself, architecturally speaking, is breathtaking. Brunch at the Buttery (the College canteen) however, takes the cake.

What is your favourite Choir or Gents album and why?

DEO, an album comprised of the works of the late Jonathan Harvey, has to be my favourite album that the choir has recorded.

The Toccota for Organ and Tape is awesome. As for the Gents, I’d have to say Mix Well.

Which piece of music have you enjoyed performing with the Choir most, and why?

In my first year in the Choir, we did an ‘Evensong with Electronics’, featuring Sitivit anima mea by David Nunn. As someone who is interested in electronic music as a whole, it was amazing singing these improvisatory-sounding melodies over strange bleeps and water-droplets. Not something I ever thought I’d hear in the Chapel!

How has your experience as a choral scholar prepared you for the future?

Undeniably, life as a choral scholar is rather busy, requiring you to walk a tightrope act of balancing your work on the one hand, and singing on the other. Life in the choir teaches you, basically, how to function as an adult, and juggle multiple pursuits.

THE GENTLEMEN OF ST JOHN’S Our choral and organ scholars perform as their own self-directed ensemble, the Gentlemen 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 ten albums, most recently ‘White Christmas’, ‘Indulgence’ and ‘Lazing’.

“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.”

HOW TO APPLY

Choral Scholar

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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 to have an informal meeting with Andrew, chat with current choral scholars, and hear the Choir perform: contact us to arrange a visit.

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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 and Veterinary Medicine Students cannot hold Choral Awards at St John’s College.

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“It may seem daunting, but it will honestly be the best decision you have ever made.”

Choral Scholar

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.

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 about our current vacancies, dates for the forthcoming application process, and more information on 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 Andrew: If you’re a little nervous about the formal audition process, our director Andrew would be more than happy to meet with you beforehand in order to give some feedback and advice in an informal setting.

You can meet with Andrew at any stage(s) in your schooling.

The earlier you first meet him the better, in case he suggests specific things for you to work on.

Music to perform: 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: a simple melody may be the best option.

Speak to your school music teachers, singing teachers, and choir directors who can help you with what piece to choose and how to prepare. Learn and practise your music as much as you can – with perhaps even a mock performance at home or at school – to help ensure that you feel confident in your performance on the day.

Sight-reading and ear tests: at the formal audition, you will be asked to try some sight-reading 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.

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

Watch the video series on Choral Scholarships, led by Andrew Nethsingha and our singers as they take you around the College

T: +44 (0) 1223 338 718 E: choir@joh.cam.ac.uk

www.sjcchoir.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2020

l.ead.me/SJCChoral