The Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick has been awarded a grant of £19,800 from Cathedral Music Trust to support the development of its choral foundation.
The grant will fund two important areas of the church’s musical life: expanding the provision of specialist vocal coaching for choristers and the appointment of three new ‘back row’ choral scholars.
The additional choral scholars will strengthen the adult back row of the choir, providing valuable musical leadership and support for the younger choristers while also giving talented young musicians at the beginning of their choral careers the opportunity to develop their skills through regular participation in the worship of St Mary’s. The grant will also enable St Mary’s to expand its programme of vocal coaching. Regular specialist tuition helps choristers develop healthy and effective singing techniques, musical confidence and a greater understanding of their voices. This is particularly important for teenage boys as their voices change, when expert guidance can help them negotiate this period safely and positively while remaining engaged in the life of the choir.
The support from Cathedral Music Trust represents a significant investment in the musical ministry of St Mary’s and in the young people who form such an important part of its choral tradition.
“We are delighted and grateful to have received such a generous grant from the Cathedral Music Trust,” the Rector, the Revd Canon Angus Aagaard, said. “Our Music ministry at St Mary’s is highly regarded by many, both locally and further afield. The choral tradition is flourishing at St Mary’s and this grant will help us move forward with confidence.”
The Director of Music, Oliver Hancock, was equally thrilled: “The funding will allow us to enhance musical standards and support young singers’ development to further our educational goals, enrich our worship, and help to sustain our thriving choral tradition. We look forward to welcoming the new choral scholars and to developing our programme of vocal coaching over the coming year.”
The choral foundation at St Mary’s provides young singers with the opportunity to take part in regular choral worship to a high standard, developing not only their musical abilities but also confidence, discipline, teamwork and a sense of belonging within the life of the Church.
You can find out more about the work of the Cathedral Music Trust at: www.cathedralmusictrust.org.uk
