| Auditions
for Quiristerships at Winchester College.
Boys who become Quiristers receive scholarships worth half
the full boarding fees at the Pilgrims’ School, Winchester.
In addition to an excellent academic education and opportunities
to join in school sports and other activities, they are given an
outstanding musical training which nurtures confidence, teamwork
and high standards as well as providing a great deal of enjoyment.
Most Quiristers succeed in winning scholarships to help with their
secondary education: during the past ten years our 37 leavers have
between them won a total of 39 music and academic awards to senior
schools such as Canford, Charterhouse, Eton, Harrow and Winchester.
Quiristers can start in year 4, 5 or 6. Prospective applicants
are welcome to audition from the age of 6½.
INFORMAL AUDITIONS can be arranged at any time with Christopher
Tolley, Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College (Tel: 01962-860299;
email: cjt@wincoll.ac.uk ). The informal audition provides parents with
an opportunity for a relaxed assessment of their son’s promise, and a
look around the College. Dr Tolley will ask the boy to sing some notes
and scales which show his vocal range, as well as giving a few simple
ear tests. No special preparation is needed.
VOICE TRIALS leading to the award of Quirister scholarships are held
jointly with Winchester Cathedral each year in November.
At the voice trials we are looking for potential and enthusiasm as
much as experience and a ‘finished product’; the atmosphere is supportive
and we are always glad to answer questions about the tests involved.
These include:
a short solo (two or three verses of a favourite hymn are quite acceptable:
the solo does not have to be elaborate)
scales, broken chords and other exercises to show the range and quality
of the voice
singing back notes played at random on the piano
singing the notes in two-part and simple three-part chords
singing back a short melody played twice
clapping the rhythm of a short phrase played twice
candidates are sometimes asked to read aloud from part of a psalm or hymn
For further information regarding Voice Trials, contact
the Headmaster’s
Secretary, The Pilgrims’ School, The Close, Winchester, SO23 9LT (Tel:
01962-854189; e-mail:
pilgrimssecretary@btinternet.com).
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