Scholarships
In addition to our fine Parish Choir, at St Michael’s we are fortunate to be able to offer Choral and Organ Scholarships to committed, talented, and energetic young musicians aged 16–20.
2026–27 SCHOLARSHIP APPLCIATIONS NOW OPEN
Applications are now open for a Junior Organ Scholar and Choral Scholars (any voice type) for the 2025–26 academic year. Further information can be found by following this link. Applications can be made here. Deadline for completed applications is 12pm Wednesday 10 June.
The Director of Music is always happy to have an informal conversation with any prospective applicants. Anyone wishing to do so can contact him at music@stmichaelbarnes.org.
Choral Scholarships
We welcome Choral Scholars from a number of local schools who sing with our Parish Choir to further enhance the music. Our four Choral Scholars normally stay with us for one to two years.
We encourage applications from all those looking to enhance their musical education who would benefit from the training we offer here, especially those seeking to apply for a university choral scholarship. Choral Scholars are offered opportunities for solo performance and extra training.
For more information about the choral scholarships, please click this link.
Choral Scholars receive a stipend of up to £1,000 per year. For those less experienced, we offer a choral exhibition programme to help provide experience of choral singing to those interested in taking up a scholarship later on, offering up to £500 for the year.
Our Director of Music is delighted to hear from anyone interested at any time. Please feel free to email him here.
Organ Scholarships
Our Organ Scholarships are designed to help and train any aspiring organist who is looking to be involved with choral and organ music, and who may be looking for an organ scholarship position at a university.
Scholars receives regular one-on-one tuition with the Director of Music to focus on accompanying and conducting, providing the skills that allows an organist to feel confident in front of a choir, and when accompanying at the console.
Organ Scholars will accompany the choir almost every week in some capacity. For those beginning their journey on organ, we gradate the work to ensure that we are building confidence in playing rather than expecting too much too soon.
For more information about the organ scholarships, please click this link.
Organ Scholars receive an honorarium of up to £1500 for their efforts. Candidates who are less experienced or are in need of additional support may be considered for an Organ Exhibition, receiving the same focussed attention as the Organ Scholarship but with a greater focus on graded development and building confidence in playing rather than expecting too much too soon. The honorarium for an Organ Exhibition is £750.