We are now accepting applicants for Choral Scholarship positions for the 2021-22 academic year. Please contact the Director of Music, David Stratkauskas,
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There are four or five MacRae Choral Scholarships awarded each year.
Choral scholars gain experience singing the Anglican Choral Repertoire (e.g. Byrd, Gibbons, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Stanford, Howells, Rutter) at services, as well as Baroque repertoire in concert (e.g. Cantatas by Bach) with the Choristers of St. John. Candidates should be students (precedence is given to full-time students, but not limited to voice or music students) with good sight-reading skills and suitable choral experience.
St John’s has a strong choral tradition, a beautiful Gothic-style church building with a good acoustic, a grand piano and one of British Columbia’s largest pipe organs. The music department is supported by a Music Director/Organist, an Organ Scholar, and has an impressive choral library.
In a typical year, choral scholars commit to Thursday evening rehearsals, and four church services per month of which one is typically an Evensong. There are occasional other services (e.g. a Carol Service at Christmas), as well as the opportunity to participate in concerts with the Victoria Baroque Players. The scholarships accrue to approx. $2400 over the academic year for the full commitment of services and concerts (September - April).
During 2020 and 2021, the the pattern of services has varied greatly in response to COVID protocols and practicalities; for instance, for much of that time, the Choral Scholars primarily sang weekly evensong as a quintet, but there was no midweek rehearsal. The shape of the 2021-22 season is still to some degree being determined as we assess how we emerge from the pandemic.
St John’s has a strong choral tradition, a beautiful Gothic-style church building with a good acoustic, a grand piano and one of British Columbia’s largest pipe organs. The music department is supported by a Music Director/Organist, an Organ Scholar, and has an impressive choral library.
Auditions
Auditions are normally held for the choral scholarships at the beginning of September.
There are also student bursaries available for all voice types. For more information, and to arrange an audition, contact the Music Director, David Stratkauskas.