Our Foundation Scholars are our pride and joy. Our generous donors fund a selection of places for a roster of advanced musical training for talented children living in the Pimlico area.

Each year, we audition children for the chance to win a scholarship in advanced musical training from our Teacher-Singers. The programme is open to children in years 4 to 8.

Successful scholars then come on to a busy weekly roster where they receive 2 weekly advanced choir rehearsals with our Artistic Director, weekly 30 minute instrumental lessons and group theory classes. Scholars will participate in a weekly evensong with St Gabriel’s choral scholars.

During each term, Foundation Scholars get exciting opportunities to sing with partner organisations, such as Magdalen College, University of Oxford. They might sing with professional choirs and tour to various venues. Each term, the Foundation Scholars will sing with the Adult Chorus and professional musicians in a public concert.

The Foundation Scholarship programme will give your child the opportunity to learn to read and write musical notation, learn music theory, develop their skills on a musical instrument and develop advanced vocal techniques. Participants also get the chance to make friends with scholars from other schools in the area.

This is an extraordinary programme that offers promising young musicians the chance to develop their skills under the world-class English choral tradition, fully funded by our very generous PMF donors.

Weekly
2x advanced choir rehearsals
1 evensong performance
30 minute instrumental lesson
Group theory class
Termly
Public concert with Adult Chorus and professional musicians and soloists
Opportunities to sing at other venues or with professional choirs, such as our partnership with Magdalen College, University of Oxford
Tuesday: 1.5 hour advanced choir rehearsal, 30 minute group theory class
Wednesday: 1 hour advanced choir rehearsal, 30 minute Evensong
Thursday: 30 minute instrumental lesson typically during school time (day will depend on teacher availability)
This is a scholarship programme. This means that applicants audition for a place on the programme. If successful, they will receive a fully funded place on the programme, free of charge, courtesy of our generous donors.
The Foundation Scholarship programme is a challenging and busy roster. It requires commitment from both the scholar and the family. Scholars are expected to be in attendance of all termly sessions to make the most of what the programme offers.
There will be exceptions where a scholar may need to miss a session. Your commitment will be to always keep us informed.
As part of the fully funded programme, we offer:
- 2 weekly choir rehearsals
- 30 minute weekly instrumental lessons
- Group theory classes
- Regular concerts and performance opportunities
- Opportunities to sing with professional musicians
- Any resources they may need, such as books and music
- We also provide instrument loaning with an opportunity to buy your instrument after the loan term
We provide Foundation Scholars with the option to hire an instrument from us for the duration of their participation in the programme. The instrument loan scheme is free thanks to the generosity of our donors.
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