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Choral Scholarships Available for Nottingham Students 2022/2023

Nottingham’s civic church is pleased to invite applications for choral scholarships for the 2022/2023 academic year.

Regarded as one of the most prestigious choirs in the region, St Mary’s choir offers unrivalled opportunities for talented singers in Nottingham. Choral scholarships are available for all voice parts (soprano, alto/countertenor, tenor and bass). Open to students aged 18 or over in further or higher education, a choral scholarship offers the following benefits:

  • at least £1,625 choral scholarship per annum (paid in arrears each term)
  • additional fees from weddings, funerals etc.
  • choral masterclasses with some of the country’s best choral directors (2008 Edward Higginbottom, 2009 & 2013 Jeremy Jackman, 2010 & 2016 David Hill)
  • subsidised singing lessons
  • international tours

All of our choral scholars share a passion and talent for choral singing, and many have gone on to pursue successful careers in music. Read what some of our former choral scholars thought about their experience here.

Choral scholars are typically students at Nottingham’s universities (The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University) but we accept applications from students attending any further or higher education institution.

For more information about the scheme, click here.

Auditions are being held at St Mary’s church on 2nd & 9th October 2022.

To apply, please fill in the brief form here

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St Mary’s Church in the Lace Market Appoints Lucy Haigh to Lead Ambitious New Children’s Singing Programme in Nottingham

[NOTTINGHAM, UK, 15 JULY 2022] Nottingham’s ancient church of St Mary’s in the Lace Market has today announced that it has appointed Lucy Haigh as choir director to lead a new music programme for children in the city centre. Lucy will lead the creation of three children’s choirs at the church while also building links with local Nottingham schools. The church is excited to be creating opportunities for children in the city to get involved in singing.

Tom Gillum, the vicar of St Mary’s, explained, “St Mary’s is well established as a centre of musical excellence in the city. We are delighted to appoint Lucy, who has an outstanding track record and abilities, as our new Children’s Choir Director. From the moment we met her, we were impressed by her love of music and we are thrilled at her ambitious plans for children’s singing at St Mary’s.”

Lucy Haigh has over thirty years’ experience as a choral director.  She has directed successful children’s choirs in both the UK and Australia, giving promising young singers the opportunity to sing to the highest standards.  Before moving to Nottingham, Lucy held the post of Cathedral Choral Director for the (RC) Diocese of Leeds, where her Cathedral Junior Choirs broadcast regularly on television and radio and she taught a busy programme of whole-class singing sessions at schools throughout Leeds.

Lucy said ‘Our exciting new programme ‘Sing Nottingham!’ aims to build strong partnerships with local schools.  We were delighted to be able to offer free, weekly singing sessions (in line with the new Model Music Curriculum) to selected schools.  In addition, I am visiting as many schools as possible on an occasional basis, with the aim of discovering promising young singers who will benefit from everything our new Children’s Choirs at St Mary’s have to offer.’  

Lucy is setting up three new children’s choirs at St Mary’s church: a boys’ choir and a girls’ choir for singers aged 7-11 and a training choir for children aged 6 and above.

Lucy goes on to say ‘The choirs will give the children opportunities to develop their singing to a high standard, to learn lovely songs and musical games in many styles (not only church music!) and to make new friends from all over Nottingham.  In addition to the group audition sessions in schools, I’m very happy to hear from parents who are interested in the choirs for their children.  There is just a short, informal audition consisting of fun musical activities: no previous experience is necessary.’

The Director of Music, John Keys, added, “our successful choral scholarship scheme has been giving opportunities for university students to sing in our choir for well over a decade. Singing in choirs is well known to have many benefits and we want more people to come to appreciate the joys of choral singing.”

Parents of children who are interested in joining one of the new children’s choirs and local primary schools that would like to be involved in the programme can register their interest on the church’s website at www.stmarysnottingham.org/childrens-choir or contact Lucy directly on lhaigh@stmarynotts.org

St Mary’s in the Lace Market is the ancient Parish and Civic Church of Nottingham. The present building, well over 500 years old, is believed to be at least the third church on the site. The church holds regular services throughout the week, usually supported by the choir of St Mary’s which has built a reputation as one of the region’s finest church choirs. More information about the church can be found at www.stmarysnottingham.org

If you would like more information about this topic, please call Ed Mills at 07766 391622 or email stmarysnottingham@outlook.com.  Photographs of the church and choir are available on request.

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Workplace Wednesdays

Looking for a stimulating lunchbreak alternative now we are back in the city centre? Join fellow city workers from all backgrounds for the 2022 season of Insight Talks. 

Hosted by The Workplace Chaplaincy, the monthly presentations are given by senior figures from across business, charity and academia. Each session takes place in St Mary’s in The Lace Market and begins at 12 noon with a light buffet lunch. We aim to close by 1.30 pm.

These events are FREE to attend but registration is required.

Email lensimmonds@gmail.com to book a place.

DATETOPIC
25thMayWhat was it like working during the pandemic?
‘On the buses’
NOTTINGHAM CITY TRANSPORT
– Chief Executive David Astil
22ndJuneWhat was it like working during the pandemic?
‘INDEPENDENT SINCE 1844….. AND STILL THRIVING’
WEAVERS 
– Chief Executive Philip Trease
13thJulyWhat was it like working during the pandemic?
‘A HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN AT THE QMC’
– Revd James Pacey 
17thAugWhat was it like working during the pandemic?
‘LIFE-CHANGING SUPPORT’
EMMANUEL HOUSE
– Chief Executive Denis Tully
14thSeptRESHAPING POLICING PRIORITIES FOR THE PUBLIC
POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER
– Corrina Johnson
19thOctPOST PANDEMIC – IS IT REALLY TRANSFORMING OUR LIVES, RESHAPING BUSINESSES AND INFLUENCING BEHAVIOURS?
INTERESTING TO KNOW – LIVE
– Len Simmonds
16thNov‘HISTORY IS THE ULTIMATE PASSPORT TO THE FUTURE’ 
An INSIGHT into how our city centre has evolved as a result of its natural surroundings,
history, culture and the passage of different people and industries. 
– Richard Brackenbury
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Adult Choir Open Auditions: Sunday 15th May

The choir of St Mary’s Church, High Pavement, invites new singers to audition on May 15th.

The choir of St Mary’s Church in the Lacemarket is widely recognised as one of the finest mixed voice choirs in the East Midlands. It keeps up a busy programme of services, concerts and tours, performing a wide range of repertoire. The choir is currently looking to recruit new singers, particularly sopranos, altos and tenors.

The director of music, John Keys, said, “We would love to hear from singers based in or around Nottingham who would like to join a friendly ensemble that prides itself in making music to a high standard.”

The choir sings for three services each week (morning and evening on Sundays and a Wednesday evensong), with a one-hour rehearsal on Friday evening. Singers are regularly given opportunities to take on solos and the choir also gives concerts, often in conjunction with the Orchestra of the Restoration. The choir consists of student choral scholars and adult volunteers. Volunteers are expected to contribute to a significant proportion of services, particularly outside term-time.

Anyone interested in joining a friendly, lively group with an excellent musical and social life is welcome to apply. Open auditions are being held on Sunday 15 May 2022 and singers are asked to register their interest in advance by completing this form (we will respond with further details). Any queries about the choir or the auditions can also be submitted via the form. The choir is always happy for potential new singers to sing with us for a service to get a feel for the standard and atmosphere of our work.

You can listen to examples of recent services here and on the choir’s YouTube channel.