GCU Tenor Choral Scholarships

About the scholarships

Goldsmiths Choral Union is looking to appoint two tenor choral scholars for the 2025-2026 season. The London-based choir performs a wide variety of classical repertoire and sings in all the major concert venues across the capital including The Barbican, Cadogan Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall and Smith Square Hall.

The choir is friendly and welcoming while seeking to produce high quality concerts that are rewarding and stimulating for performers and audiences alike. The choir also enjoys performing regularly with professional soloists, orchestras and instrumentalists for their concerts.

We expect that the successful applicants will be aspiring professional singers, who wish to expand their knowledge of symphonic choral repertoire and ensemble singing. The two scholars will be highly appreciated members of the ensemble, committing and contributing to weekly rehearsals, promoted concerts as well as the social life of the choir.

The scholarships are open to singers aged 18-30, or students in full or part-time music education. An annual stipend of £1,000 will be paid to each scholar across three terms.

Expectations of the Scholars

Attendance at weekly rehearsals in South Kensington, London on Wednesday evenings (first rehearsal is Wednesday 3rd September) from 18.30 - 21.00, providing confident and musical vocal support for your fellow tenor colleagues. Scholars are expected to attend rehearsals for the full duration of the evening. Absences may only be permitted by prior agreement with the Music Director at the start of each term. The Music Director will indicate, before the start of each term, the number of authorised absences permitted for that term. Should the scholars exceed this amount, they are expected to arrange an able and qualified deputy to sing in their place at their own expense at professional industry rates. Scholars must not double-book or overcommit themselves so as not to cause a professional conflict of interests.

Mandatory attendance at the four main “self-promoted” concerts (including sane-day rehearsals prior to performances) staged by GCU over the 2025-2026 season: 14th November, 19th December, 19 March, 19 June.

Willingness to participate in other musical, paid engagements for the choir and social events in the choir’s calendar, e.g termly choir socials etc.

There is scope for possible leadership development opportunities e.g leading occasional warm-ups and vocal coaching sessions during a regular Wednesday night rehearsal.

Support the choir publicity team with social media and content for the choir website documenting the scholarship scheme e.g a blog.

Acknowledge the choir in your professional biography for all internal and external engagements where appropriate.

Expectations of the Choir

• Annual Stipend of £1,000 paid in three installments

• Opportunities for step-out solos in main concerts (dependent on repertoire).

• GCU will provide copies of music for the choir’s self-promoted concerts for the year.

Audition information

Auditions will take place at a time convenient to you by arrangement with the Music Director.

Please note we cannot provide assistance towards your travel costs to the audition.

The audition will consist of:

• Two contrasting solo songs

• Sight-reading tests

• Aural tests

• An informal chat with the Music Director and the Chairman

How to apply:

Please send the following by email to the Chairman and the Secretary of Goldsmiths Choral Union:

• Your CV

• A link to a recording of two contrasting pieces no more than ten minutes in length in total

• A covering letter outlining why you would like to sing with the choir, what you would contribute to the choir, and also your personal aspirations.