Chapel music
The Chapel is at the heart of Hertford’s vibrant musical life. It is home to the Hertford Chapel Choir, there are Thursday evening 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 Thursday evening in term, the Hertford College Music Society (HCMS) puts on a free, public music recital in the Chapel. The recitals start at 8:30 pm, and are followed by a short compline service at 9pm, led by our choral clerks octet. 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. New members are always welcome – please email David.todd@hertford.ox.ac.uk for more information.
🎼 Hertford Conducting Programme
The Hertford Conducting Programme (HCP) was launched in February 2026 and is now entering its first full year, with weekends planned for November 2026, January 2027 and March 2027. Applications are now open – don’t delay!
The HCP is a training programme for beginner and more experienced student conductors who are members of Oxford University. Tuition takes place during intensive weekends during Oxford term time with leading conducting tutors and specialists from around the UK. Students take part in masterclasses, workshops, private lessons, talks and sessions covering both choral and orchestral conducting. A maximum of 18 students take part and are split into junior (beginner) and senior (more experienced) participants. Some of the sessions involve conducting the other students, and some the Hertford College Choir and HCMS orchestra. Specialist sessions in the past have involved conducting recitative, practical musicianship and conducting psalms/plainsong.
2026 – 2027
From Friday evening to Sunday early afternoon on the following dates at Hertford College, Oxford
20-22 November 2026 ~ 22-24 January 2027 ~ 5-7 March 2027
Intensive weekends of practical conducting training for Oxford students.
The Hertford Conducting Programme is a new initiative offering focused, hands-on experience in choral and orchestral conducting, led by experienced tutors in a supportive environment.
Whether you are an experienced student conductor or curious to begin, this course will help you build technique, confidence, and musical leadership skills.
Who can apply?
- Open to students of the University of Oxford
- Highly subsidised with discounts given to Hertford students and those connected with music at Hertford
- Two application routes: 1) Senior Conducting Participants (with prior conducting experience). 2) Junior Conducting Participants (limited or no formal experience)
What’s included?
- Masterclasses with vocal and orchestral ensembles
- Workshops in small groups
- Individual private lessons
- Talks and specialist sessions
Training includes:
- Baton technique, gesture
- Rehearsal technique
- Score study
- Musicianship
Observation, feedback, and peer learning with leading conducting tutors from around the UK.
Fees
For the full year, includes 3 weekends
Senior Applicants: £300 (includes private lessons and participation in masterclasses)
Junior Applicants: £220
Discounts: a discount of 50% is applied if you are a student member of Hertford College. Those participating regularly in Hertford music (an active member of HCMS or Hertford Chapel Choir) will also receive a 50% discount (at the discretion of the Director of Music). Therefore Hertford College students who are active members of Hertford music will receive a 100% discount.
Application Form:
Hertford Conducting Programme Application Form – Fill in form
Deadline for applications: midnight on Saturday 31st October 2026
Please contact Interim Director of Music David Todd David.todd@hertford.ox.ac.uk with any questions or queries.
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.
