Chapel music
The Chapel is at the heart of Hertford’s vibrant musical life. The choir rehearses and performs here, there are Wednesday lunchtime recitals in term, and the college orchestra 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 specialise in the music of the English choral tradition, from Thomas Tallis to Herbert Howells. We’re proud of our high choral standards, inclusive membership and friendly atmosphere. To help ensure that standards are the best they can be, there are 8 auditioned choral award holders who receive a stipend for actively leading the choir. We’ve found that this helps to foster confidence and singing ability in those who might not have had the opportunity to sing demanding music.
Every Wednesday lunchtime in term, the Hertford College Music Society puts on a free, public music recital in the Chapel. The recitals start at 1.10 pm, and we try to conclude by 2 pm. 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. 2020 lockdown recitals can be watched on the HCMS Lunchtime Recitals page.
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 students who apply to study music at the college, and are awarded via the University of Oxford’s central organ-awards scheme. This year, Hertford will appoint an Organ Scholar to begin in 2024 and in addition will consider deferred entry for 2025.
The choir and music in chapel is run by the Director of Music (DoM). The two organ scholars have significant input into organising the chapel’s music, playing the organ and directing the choir themselves under the DoM’s guidance and direction. 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
- A unique leadership development programme, including training and mentoring
- 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. The awards comprise fully funded singing lessons, plus a small honorarium.
Award holders, known as choral clerks (clericuli chorales principalium et alumnorum), are expected to:
- sing at every Sunday Evensong and Thursday Eucharist in term;
- attend choir rehearsals every Friday and Sunday in term;
- and mentor and support other members of their part.
Auditions for choral awards are held every year in Freshers’ Week (0th week of Michaelmas term). For more information, please contact the Director of Music.