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The Scholarship

The Grosvenor Chapel Champniss Organ Scholarship runs from September 1^st to August 31^st each year and attracts a payment of £3,000 per year generously donated by the Champniss Foundation. The organ scholar will be under the direction of the Director of Music, Richard Hobson, and the Priest-in-Charge, the Revd Dr Richard Fermer.  Worship at the Chapel is in the Anglo-Catholic tradition, and the scholarship gives the opportunity to work with the small professional choir in a wide repertoire of mass settings and motets, as well as leading congregational singing.  Please see the published music list on this website for examples of the repertoire.

Duties

The organ scholar will usually attend all services when the choir sings and will also share the playing of the 6 or 7 non choir Sundays per year. On Sundays the Sung Eucharist is at 11.00, preceded by a rehearsal at 9.45.  These timings may change according to circumstances if a different pattern of services is agreed with the Priest-in-Charge, and occasional additional services may be added.  

The organ scholar will also be the accompanist for the Mayfair Community Choir for which a small additional payment may be made.  He/she will assist Dan Collins, the conductor of the choir, playing piano or organ for rehearsals and performances, taking sectional rehearsals, and perhaps deputising when necessary.  The choir meets, usually at Grosvenor Chapel, on Tuesday evenings from 6.30 – 8.00.

Depending on the skills of the person appointed, the organ scholar will be given the opportunity to accompany all or part of services, to play voluntaries, and to direct the choir.  The Director of Music will assist in the preparation of music to be accompanied or conducted.  The organ scholar might be asked to deputise for the Director of Music occasionally, and assuming their skills are of an appropriate standard, will be offered any additional services (weddings, funerals, memorial services, carol services) for which the Director of Music is unable to be present.  The Organ Scholar might also be asked to accompany the choir on such occasions, should the music chosen require it.  Additional fees will be paid on these occasions.

Recitals

Mayfair Organ Concerts was established jointly with St George’s, Hanover Square in January 2013 to continue and expand the Tuesday Lunchtime Recitals begun when the Grosvenor Chapel's William Drake organ was installed in 1991.  The organ scholar will be offered the opportunity to perform in this series if appropriate, and it is hoped that he/she will assist in the organising and running of these concerts and attend each week.

Payment and Fees

The Scholarship payment will usually be made termly in equal instalments, other fees for playing or directing are usually paid at the time.

The organ scholar will have access to the William Drake organ in the Chapel for personal study and practice by arrangement with the Director of Music and the Administrator, and will have keys for access when the Chapel is closed.  Use of the Richards and Fowkes organ at St George's, Hanover Square is also possible.

Richard Hobson has wide experience as an organ teacher and, should this be appropriate, he will be happy to teach and/or coach the Organ Scholar, including preparation for the RCO diplomas (playing and paperwork), and university organ awards, as part of the organ scholarship.

Application should be made to Richard Hobson (hbsrnh@aol.com) with a CV and the names of two referees (one of whom will usually be the applicant’s organ teacher).  Shortlisted candidates will be asked to visit Grosvenor Chapel to meet the Priest-in-Charge and the Director of Music, to play an organ solo of their choice and demonstrate their keyboard skills.  They may then be asked to attend on a Sunday morning to play and accompany the choir if appropriate.

Applications for September 2021 are welcome at any time.