Applications Open - Choral Scholarships (SATB) from 6 September 2026 to 25 July 2027 - £3,000 per annum and c. £2,550 in coaching/accompaniment

 

For the 2026-2027 academic year, St Pancras Church are seeking four Choral Scholars (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass). The scholarship is worth £3,000; with additional paid engagements, fees for special services, and free coaching and accompaniment from the Organist & Director of Music as part of the package (worth £2,550). St Pancras Church has formed a partnership with St James’s Piccadilly, and in 2027, St James’s will close for major refurbishment. Scholars from both churches will then join for services at St Pancras Church.

 

St Pancras historically has had a strong tradition of music making within the city of London – being one of the major central churches, and the home of the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music. It is home to several professional ensembles, and with the recent partnership of The Sixteen with St James’s, will host The Sixteen and oƯshoots of the Genesis Foundation. 

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These scholarships are open to confident, talented and experienced choral singers, and may be of particular particularly attractive to students at the conservatoires, or professionals at the beginning of the career who would like to further their experience in liturgical music-making whilst also having the opportunity to be involved in opera, art song, historical performance, and chamber choir work. 

 

It is important to us that St Pancras Church is representative of people and communities across society. We actively welcome applications from people who are currently underrepresented in our community including people with global majority heritage, people with lived experience of poverty and people who identify as LGBTQ+.

 

Candidates do not have to identify as Christian or belong to a religious faith. However, we are looking for candidates who connect with St Pancras’s ethos and values.

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Audition Process

• Longlisted candidates will be invited to interview and asked to prepare:

  • 1 piece to demonstrate control of coloratura (Bach, Handel, Mozart concert aria etc)

  • 1 piece to demonstrate expression, ideally romantic art song in German or English (please bring translations if not in English)

  • 1 prepared sight-reading given day before the audition

  • 2 unprepared sight-reading (psalm chant and an anthem – given on the day)

• Interview

• Shortlisted candidates may be asked to sing briefly with other shortlisted candidates to trial musical and personal cohesion, or invited to sing for a service

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Renumeration and Benefits

• The choral scholarship is worth £3,000 to be paid across three instalments throughout the year.

• St Pancras is dedicated to the flourishing of music and education, and in helping raise the standards of both sacred and secular music making. To that end, our Organist & Director of Music offers free coaching and accompaniment to the scholars (worth £2,550). This is limited to:

  • Accompaniment for 1 external project per term (excluding recitals at St Pancras/St James’)

  • 2 coachings per month (repertoire, musicianship, harmony & analysis, keyboard skills)

  • Additional sessions may be provided free of charge depending on the Organist & Director of Music’s availability and at his discretion

• For special services such as funerals, weddings, or other major events, the scholars have first refusal. Additional fees would be paid for such services.

• Throughout the year, St Pancras may run Come and Sing events, or special concerts. The scholars are expected to attend and contribute. It is envisaged that the scholars should be of a standard to perform as soloists on these events, and if so, a professional fee will be paid. The first event currently planned is a program of Mozart and Finzi on October 31st, as part of the Bloomsbury Festival. This would be with a full symphonic orchestra and chorus.

• Several professional ensembles are linked with St Pancras, and depending on the project, scholars may be required to contribute, and depending on the context, a fee may be paid. This includes a professional chamber choir, an opera company, and a choral society.​