Exeter University Chapel Choir

The Mary Harris Memorial Chapel of the Holy Trinity stands majestically on a hill overlooking the city of Exeter and the Cathedral. It is a fine, listed post-war building possessing an excellent acoustic.

The Chapel Choir comprises about 20-25 members and is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students who take an interest in choral music. The nucleus of the ensemble comprises ten choral scholars, who are appointed on merit through open competition and receive £400 p.a. There are four scholarships available for sopranos, two each for the other voice parts of alto (male or female), tenor, and bass. A senior organ scholarship of £700 p.a. is available to a performer of considerable talent and potential. He or she assists in accompanying services and may be called upon to direct the Choir on occasion. A junior organ scholarship of £300 p.a. may be awarded to a person who is a competent player, but not yet able to cope fully with the demands of the weekly service music.

The Choir occupies an important position in the worship of the University Chapel. There is a full Sung Eucharist on five Sundays in the term - a congregational service is held on the remaining Sundays. The Choir upholds the Anglican choral tradition by singing Choral Evensong on each Wednesday during term, while major liturgical feasts are celebrated with special musical settings. The Choir regularly makes visits outside the University, performing in concerts and singing services in other churches and cathedrals around the country (including Bristol, Gloucester, Norwich, Salisbury, Truro, and Winchester). In recent years the Choir has undertaken successful tours to France, Germany, Italy and Spain. While the Choir’s repertoire is representative of the strong tradition of British Choral Music, it nevertheless reflects the music of Continental composers down the ages and embraces those of Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox traditions.

For more information, please contact the Director of Chapel Music, Professor Anthony Musson on (01392) 263362 or by email a.j.musson@exeter.ac.uk or in writing to University of Exeter, Amory Building, Rennes Drive, Exeter EX4 4RJ.

University Music Scholarships

The choral/organ scholarships detailed above may be supplemented by additional awards made available by the University. Scholars will be expected to participate in other music making in the University. Applicants should indicate their interest in being considered to the Director of Music at the University (please see University Music Scholarships page).