Merton College Chapel
[Chapel Choir] [Organ Scholarships]
(Image Caption: The Chapel Choir on the Isle of Cumbrae) Merton College Chapel Choir is a fine mixed-voice choir, made up of an
enthusiastic group of students from various different Oxford colleges. The
choir sings in term time for one Sunday evening service every week, and the
occasional special service. The music is rehearsed in two rehearsals,
one before the service and the other on Friday afternoon. A diverse range of sacred music,
both accompanied & unaccompanied, is sung. Because of its
outstanding choral acoustics, Merton is one of the
most rewarding chapels in which to sing. This year, the choir is being run by
the Organ Scholar, Chris Chan, with the support of the Chaplain. All
choir members are paid and receive free Formal Hall after every service.
We have vacancies in all voice parts. Entry to the choir is by a
short, informal audition; please contact the Organ Scholar (email
christopher.chan@merton.ox.ac.uk) for more information.
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The College has recently launched a new Choral Foundation and has appointed Peter Phillips, founder of The Tallis Scholars, as Director of Music, and Benjamin Nicholas, of Dean Close School and Tewkesbury Abbey, as Assistant Director. From Michaelmas 2008 the College will offer 16 Choral Scholarships in addition to the Organ Scholarship offered in alternate years (next admission 2008). First auditions (for those wishing to enter the College as undergraduates in 2008) have already taken place. Choral Scholarships may also be awarded to other graduate and undergraduate students at Merton and other Colleges.
For further details concerning Organ and Choral Scholarships, go to the College, University or Music Faculty websites, or contact the Chaplain.
Merton College was founded in 1264 and its Chapel, which was built in
various stages between the late thirteenth to fifteenth centuries, has an
astounding and responsive acoustic. The main organ is a 1960s
neo-classical instrument by Walker. There is also a chamber organ by Thomas
Parker, a builder who flourished between 1750 and 1770.
(Image Caption: The Walker Organ) It is
thought that this exquisite organ, a rare survival and restored in 1999,
dates from about 1760.
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Updated
28 September 2007
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