Foundation Organ Scholarship

The Foundation Organ Scholarship at St Mary’s Church, Portsea provides a perfect opportunity for a gap-year or postgraduate organist to develop his/her musical skills in a large inner-city Parish church.

The Foundation Organ Scholar is a full member of the Church’s busy Music Department. You will:

  • share in the planning and organisation of the musical life of the church;
  • accompany the Choir at rehearsals and services as directed by the Organists;
  • gain experience of working with school children.

Previous Organ Scholars at St Mary’s

  • Jonathan Bunney – Director of Music, St Giles-in-the-Fields, London
  • Benedict Lewis-Smith – Director of Music, St Saviour’s Church, Pimlico
  • Richard Moore – Sub Organist, Guildford Cathedral
  • Simon Taranczuk – The King’s School, Worcester

Applications now being received for 2021/2022 Academic Year

The St Mary’s Church Music Foundation is seeking to appoint a senior Organ Scholar for one year (including a 6 month probationary period) from 1 September 2021. The appointment may be renewed at the discretion of the Music Foundation, upon the recommendation of the Director of Music and Foundation Trustees, for a further year. The scholar is to participate in, and further develop, the Church’s musical life in accordance with the traditions of St Mary’s and under the direction of the Organist and Director of Music, and Assistant Organist.

The Organ Scholarship provides an opportunity for a talented musician to build on his/her skills in a supportive environment, while contributing significantly to the musical life of St Mary’s Church, Portsea.

The post is open to male and female student organists ideally aged between 16 and 25, wishing to gain experience of performance, accompanying and choir training, within a traditional Anglican Church music environment. The post is open to non-Anglicans, but the scholar must be in sympathy with the traditions, ethos and worship of St Mary’s.

Please find the complete Foundation Organ Scholarship specification here.