in brief

New Chamber Opera, in conjunction with St. Catherine's College, has established a Répétiteur Scholarship for pianists wishing to make a career as a Répétiteur, accompanist or conductor. Holders of the Scholarship will be appropriately qualified undergraduate members of St. Catherine's College, reading Music or another approved subject. It is intended that the successful applicant will divide his or her scholarship time between St. Catherine's College and New Chamber Opera, assisting in rehearsals, performances and with the training of singers for New Chamber Opera, and helping to organise and run practical musical activities in St. Catherine's (where the establishment of a mixed chamber choir will be an early priority).

entrance procedure

Applications are invited from suitable candidates, who will normally, but not necessarily, be intending to read Music at Oxford. Candidates should present a strong academic profile and be able to satisfy the standard Oxford entry requirement of three A-levels (or equivalents) at grades AAB; they should also be pianists with a high standard of solo performance and proven accompanying ability. The evaluation of applicants will take place in September, along with those for organ scholarships at other colleges.

terms of the scholarship

The Répétiteur Scholarship will entail an average time commitment of ten hours a week, plus personal practice. Each Scholar will rent a room in the normal way but with an internal University phone line. The College makes a standard termly allowance for instrumental lessons for all music students; special additional funds from New Chamber Opera will enable the Scholar to take extra personal instrumental lessons. The Scholar will, by mutual agreement, be expected to assist with music (as director and/or accompanist) at communal events and acts of worship in the College, some of which might occasionally fall outside normal term periods. One Répétiteur will be elected each year to ensure that the workload for each scholar can be adjusted during the relevant examination periods.