Choral Scholarships

We offer eight choral scholarships each academic year (September to June).

The choral scholars constitute the principal choir at Sacred Heart Church, singing a wide range of sacred music from the Christian tradition.

What you get: The opportunity regularly to sing to a high standard in a city centre church; performing music in its original setting; coaching and development; experience of a wide range of repertoire; opportunities for solo cantor work.

What we get: Outstanding music in support of the liturgy for the greater glory of God and the common good.

The Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart
The Sacred Heart Church is a Roman Catholic church in the care of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), a religious order founded by St Ignatius Loyola and companions in 1540 and active in Scotland since 1541. 

Our neoclassical church was built in 1860 and is located near the Grassmarket in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town.  As a busy city centre church, we support both a diverse parish community (including many people from further afield who choose to make this their place of worship) and a large number of visitors, especially in the summer.

We are fortunate to have an excellent Harrison & Harrison organ (1971/2018) and a great acoustic.

We are committed to developing and sustaining a diverse and lively musical life at Sacred Heart Church, first and foremost in support of the liturgical and spiritual life of the parish, but also by making a contribution to the vibrant musical life of the city.  We welcome visiting choirs and musicians.  And we specifically seek to support and provide opportunities to young musicians.

The Choral Scholarships
There are eight choral scholarships (two each SATB).

These scholarships are open to students in education, age 16+ up to and including those in postgraduate studies.  You do not need to be a music student but you must have a good level of musical competence.

Applicants do not have to be Roman Catholic but need to have respect for, and develop an understanding of, the Christian worship for which they sing.

Choral scholarships are for one academic year, renewable for further years.

Choral scholars are paid a stipend of £36 for each Sunday Mass and rehearsal beforehand (in total 9.00am to 11.30am).  And an additional £36 for any other liturgies and associated rehearsals.

The Schola Cantorum
The eight choral scholars make up the Schola Cantorum, or principal singing ensemble, for the liturgy at the Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart.

The Schola Cantorum sings at the main Mass most Sundays and on other special occasions, including Easter and Christmas for those resident in Edinburgh.

We also have a voluntary choir, made up of around 24 parishioners, which sings for some major feast days and at Christmas and Easter.  The choral scholars support the voluntary choir and encourages their music making.

The Schola Cantorum is directed by a professional choir director and is accompanied by a professional organist.

Repertoire
As a Roman Catholic Church, we draw from repertoire of a thousand years – from Gregorian Chant, through the music of the Renaissance to the Baroque era, to the 19/20th century and contemporary music written for the liturgy.  There will be opportunities to sing music rarely heard anywhere else and in its original setting.

Commitment
The programme runs through the university year with opportunities for those who live locally or stay in Edinburgh outwith term time to extend that commitment beyond university semesters if they wish.

You must be able to commit to the full schedule of liturgies.  Other than for unforeseen circumstances such as illness, and absences agreed with the choir director, you must be present for all practices and liturgies.  The commitment is:

Weekly
To sing at the 10.30am Mass most Sundays during the university year with a rehearsal beforehand from 9.00 to 10.15am.

Annually
To sing at the Easter liturgies on Holy Thursday evening, Good Friday afternoon, and Holy Saturday night (though not on Easter Day itself).

If you are resident locally, you will be invited to sing for the Christmas Night Mass on Christmas Eve at 8pm.

Audition/Interview
Choral Scholarships are awarded by an audition/interview at which you will be asked:

• to prepare and sing two contrasting pieces (at least one of which should be sacred music) – please bring three copies of this music with you to audition; you will sing unaccompanied but there will be a keyboard for pitching;

• to prepare and sing a piece we will send you in advance;

• to sight-read an unseen piece;

• some general questions about yourself, your interests and experience in music, and what you hope to get out of singing with us.

Auditions will be held towards the end of September each year.

Agreement
There is a written agreement (a ‘memorandum of understanding’) setting out how choral scholarships.  You are not employed by us.  You are paid a stipend for services rendered.

These choral scholarships are a new venture for the Sacred Heart Church in 2022 and there will inevitably be some adjustments to be made as things are established and developed.  But you will have the opportunity of being part of this exciting new venture and shaping the way it works and chooses and performs the repertoire.

Dates
Auditions for 2025-26 will be held on Tuesday 16th and Thursday 18th September 2025.

First Sunday for singing is Sunday 21st September 2025.

Applications
Please apply for audition by email (ejc@jesuit.org.uk), telling us a little about yourself, your singing and musical experience, and why you are interested in a scholarship. You can also use this email to ask any questions you may have. Early expressions of interest are welcome.