Chapel music
The Chapel is at the heart of Hertford’s vibrant musical life. It is home to the Hertford Chapel Choir, there are Wednesday lunchtime recitals during term, and the college orchestra rehearses and performs here regularly. The perfect combination of carved wood, stone and marble lends the Chapel a wonderful acoustic, and our college musicians practise here regularly.
Hertford College Chapel Choir is an open, mixed choir that leads the singing at Chapel services. We’re proud of our high choral standards, wide-ranging repertoire, inclusive membership and friendly atmosphere. To help ensure that standards are the best they can be, there are eight auditioned choral award holders who receive a stipend and regular singing lessons for actively leading the choir. These ‘choral clerks’ also sing as an octet for a weekly compline or eucharist on Thursday evenings, so they get the benefits of experiencing regular small ensemble singing in addition to being part of a larger choir community.
Every Wednesday lunchtime in term, the Hertford College Music Society (HCMS) puts on a free, public music recital in the Chapel. The recitals start at 1.10pm, and we try to conclude by 2pm. Most performers are members of the college – students and staff – with the occasional musical friend joining us. Performances range from solo instrumentalists and singers to larger ensembles. HCMS also has an orchestra, led by the Director of Music, and a student-led jazz band. These ensembles perform their own concerts and play for college events.
🎼 Hertford Conducting Programme
Director of Music, Lucy Joy Morris, has recently launched the Hertford Conducting Programme, with a pilot weekend in February 2026. This is open to all members of Oxford University, but is free to Hertford students who apply successfully. Hertford organ scholars receive an automatic free place.
The next HCP weekend will take place in Trinity term 2026. See the write-up of the pilot weekend here and contact lucyjoy.morris@hertford.ox.ac.uk to register interest.
Scholarships and awards
We’re pleased to be able to offer a wide range of support to organists and choir singers at Hertford. Discover what we offer below.
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Organ scholarships
Hertford College awards two organ scholarships at any one time. These scholarships are available to undergraduate students, and are awarded via the University of Oxford’s central organ-awards scheme. This year, Hertford will appoint an Organ Scholar to begin in 2027.
The choir and music in chapel is run by the Director of Music (DoM), Lucy Joy Morris. The two organ scholars have significant input into organising the chapel’s music, playing the organ and directing the choir for Thursday services, and occasionally on Sundays too. The DoM works hard to mentor the organ scholars and to allow them an opportunity to grow as young musical leaders.
Further benefits include:
- a stipend of £500 per annum
- fully-funded organ, conducting and singing lessons
- free formal dinner on Sundays and drinks after Thursday services
- automatic free places on the Hertford Conducting Programme
- the opportunity to help shape the musical life of the Chapel
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Choral awards
Hertford College offers a total of eight choral awards at any time to fulfil leading roles in the Hertford College Chapel Choir. The awards are provided from the generosity of the present and former Principals and the Hertford Society. Usually, but not necessarily, two awards are offered for each of the vocal parts: soprano, alto, tenor and bass.
Award holders, known as choral clerks (clericuli chorales principalium et alumnorum), are expected to:
- sing at every Sunday Evensong as a member of the full choir;
- sing with the choral clerks octet for Thursday Eucharist/Compline in term;
- attend choir rehearsals every Monday (5.30 to 7pm) in term;
- and mentor and support other members of their part.
Choral clerks receive three 45-minute singing lessons each term, free formal hall on Sundays after Evensong and free drinks after Thursday services, plus a small honorarium.
- For more information, please contact the Director of Music.
