Our Choral Scholars
2023-2024
Each year, Music at St. Peter’s appoints several choral scholars who are offered work on an ad hoc basis depending on the musical requirements for a particular service or event. The role of the music scholars is to help facilitate musical excellence and, as such, we look for experienced consort singers with excellent sight singing skills. If you would be interested in this opportunity, please read the job description below and then contact Ian Davis (Director of Music) using the form at the bottom of this page or by emailing musicatstpeters@mail.com if you feel that you might meet the criteria. Please include a brief cv outlining your experience and qualifications along with the name and contact details of a suitably qualified referee who would be willing to support your application. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend a short audition prior to singing in a trial rehearsal and service.
Job Description
Scholars are expected to make a significant contribution to the development, not only of the choir and its repertoire, but to music at St. Peter’s more generally. This may include offering termly recitals and singing solos in services / other projects at a professional level of competence.
Scholars are expected to come to rehearsals and services with repertoire fully prepared and consequently support our volunteer choristers and facilitate the choir to give of its best.
Scholars must be 18 or over at the time of their application and be in higher education. In the case of gap year students, there must be credible evidence of an intention to progress to higher education in the year following their appointment.
Scholars must have extensive and proven experience of consort singing within a liturgical context and a strong knowledge of the core repertoire.
Scholars must have higher level practical musical qualifications such as an Advanced Certificate or Diploma offered by one of the recognised Conservatoires or be able to demonstrate their ability to operate at this level. Academic musical qualifications, such as an A level or grade 8 theory, would also be highly desirable.
Scholars must take an active role, along with the Director of Music and clergy, in promoting the musical life of the church.
Scholars must be willing to undertake some teaching of repertoire / technique to the choir as directed by the Director of Music and be articulate and considered in their approach to this task.
Choral Scholars 2024-2025
Catherine Harris is a music scholar and textile design student at Arts University Bournemouth, holds an (ARSM) Associate of the Royal Schools of Music diploma in singing, is a choral scholar at St Mary's Swanage and a longstanding member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, with which she has been involved in a considerable number of broadcasts and recordings. Catherine is also a member of the University Music Chamber Choir and has recently taken solo roles in Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 and Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. Coincidentally, Catherine’s grandparents were married in St Peter’s and, although they have long since moved away, are looking forward to returning to Dorchester to enjoy our musical offerings whenever they can.
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Archie Chesson is a choral scholar both at St Peter’s Dorchester and at St Mary’s Swanage under the direction of Simon Lole. Archie began his choral training as a treble in the renowned chapel choir at Radley College in Oxfordshire. With the choir he sang in many of the major cathedrals including Salisbury and St Paul’s and participated in a choir tour to the USA. Archie now studies Fine Art at Arts University, Bournemouth and is a member of the University Music Chamber choir. He has taken several leading roles in University Music’s opera productions, most recently Don Jose in Bizet's Carmen.
Choral Scholars 2023-2024
Helena Dougherty held choral scholarships both at St Peter’s Dorchester and at St Mary’s Swanage under the direction of Simon Lole and has an ARSM diploma in singing. She has extensive experience of liturgical singing, both as a soprano and alto, having been in chamber choirs at the Godolphin School in Salisbury and later at South Wilts Grammar School where she gained grade 8 singing with distinction. Helena recently graduated with a first-class honours degree in Forensic Science from Bournemouth University where she sang in the University Music Chamber Choir and the University Choral Society. In addition to singing, Helena also plays the 'cello, piano and recorder.
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Archie Chesson (see current choral scholars 2024-25)