Private School News

Kingham Hill School Launches Organ Scholarship

The splendid organ in the Chapel at Kingham Hill School will soon reverberate to the efforts of the school’s first organ scholar.

A new scholarship has been established at the Cotswold school, inspired by Headmaster’s wife, Hannah Seward – a former organ scholar of Jesus College, Oxford. She and Director of Music, Gill Holliday, have constructed a programme that will offer one young musician each year a chance of a lifetime to explore their musical gift and open up exciting higher education and career opportunities. All this in a Christian community where the scholar’s faith will be nurtured and ministry opportunities encouraged.

Organ scholars will gain experience in choral accompanying and conducting, and in accompanying congregational singing. The Organ Scholar will have free music tuition – tailored to individual requirements, but it is expected that they will take singing lessons in addition to other lessons.

Candidates must be over 16-years old on 1 September of the year of entry and should demonstrate a love of and commitment to music, particularly the Anglican choral tradition. They will normally offer more than one instrument and have achieved Grade 6 level or higher. It is desirable for candidates to have some experience of accompanying.

The Scholarship offers thorough training to candidates who may wish to apply for Organ Scholarships to Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Headmaster, Rev’d Nick Seward is delighted: “The Kingham Hill organ is a wonderful instrument, recently refurbished at great expense through the affection and generosity of former pupils. I would love to see it used to its full extent in the worship of our school, and in encouraging the English choral tradition here.”

Early interest should be directed at Kate Harvey, Registrar – 01608 658 999, admissions@kingham-hill.oxon.sch.uk