Scholarships with Holy Cross Church
The Collegiate Church of the Holy Cross, Crediton, offers up to three Scholarships every year, each worth £825 per annum. The church is a magnificent Perpendicular Gothic building, boasting a very fine 3-manual organ built by Harrison & Harrison in 1921 (restored 2001). Crediton is a large town approximately 6 miles outside Exeter; it has good transport links (both bus and train).
The choir consists of around 20 adults and 20 girl and boy choristers. We maintain a wide-ranging and challenging repertoire, which we perform to a high standard. We sing at the weekly Sunday Eucharist in addition to Choral Evensong (once or twice each month) and occasional weekday evening services (festivals). There are two choir practices per week (one for the junior choristers and one for the whole choir), which take place on Tuesdays and Fridays.
The choir is well-known outside Devon, through its frequent cathedral visits and tours abroad, most recently to Germany (2005), Holland (2006) and the United States (1999 and 2007). We have also featured in radio and television broadcasts, including Christmas services on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Devon.
Our Scholarships are available to organists and singers (sopranos, counter-tenors, altos, tenors and basses). We usually appoint one organ scholar and up to two choral scholars at any one time. The purpose of the Organ and Choral Scholarships at Crediton is to support the work of the choir and maintain the standard of music making in the church. The Scholarships are quite flexible, and offer many opportunities: besides singing, Scholars have the chance to direct the choir, perform, organize concerts and recitals, help with the individual training of Junior Choristers, and take part in the choir’s various social activities.
Some of our scholars have gone on to take up appointments and scholarships at cathedrals, major parish churches and Oxbridge colleges.
Scholarships are normally held in conjunction with degree courses (undergraduate or postgraduate) at University of Exeter, but we also welcome gap-year scholars. The Scholarships are normally tenable for up to three years, subject to a yearly review. All applicants will be subject to an enhanced CRB check.
If you would like to find out more, please contact the Director of Music, Steven Martin, who is more than happy to answer any questions; either contact him via email, at stevenemartin@gmail.com, or in writing to The Director of Music, The Parish Office, The Boniface Centre, Church Street, Crediton, Devon, EX17 2AH.