Talented musicians securing scholarships for Inverness Cathedral's choir
Four talented musicians are singing for joy after securing scholarships to perform in Inverness Cathedral's choir while working towards their studies.
Hannah Spencer (organ scholarship), and Isabelle Quemby, Ellie Close and Josh Holdernesse (who have all secured choral scholarships) will now be able to not only perform in the choir but develop their skills as they work towards their Royal School of Church Music Bronze Award.
And their success in securing scholarships with the choir could also prove to be a launch pad to future careers, with two of the cathedral choir's previous scholars having gone on to further their music studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.
“We are so delighted to welcome the four new scholars to our cathedral family – they have already had a massive impact on the cathedral choir and are learning very quickly what it requires to be a cathedral chorister," said Adrian Marple, Director of Music. "I hope they remain with us for a very long time – the future choir is in very safe hands if they do!”
Hannah, the organ scholar, already plays fiddle and piano, and is now learning the organ.
“When I saw the ad for the organ scholarship I immediately knew that I wanted to do it because its one of the coolest instruments I have ever seen and have always wanted to try it out!" explained Hannah Spencer.
"After trying the organ my opinion hasn't changed, and I am enjoying facing the challenges it has to offer as it is very different to the piano, the only similarity being the keyboard.
"The cathedral community has been very welcoming to me and the other scholars. I am enjoying being a part of the community as everyone is very nice and have been guiding me every step of the way letting me learn loads of new things as I go on”.
The Inverness Cathedral Choral Scholarships have been subsidised thanks to a grant from The Cathedral Music Trust.
The four scholars will be at the cathedral on Sunday evening for a special service, which includes presentation of the awards by Robert Horton of the Cathedral Music Trust.
The awards are part of a wider package of almost £450,000 worth of grants to 26 separate choral foundations across the UK.
In all they are supporting 50 professional posts, enriching more than 250 weekly choral services, and impacting more than 1000 young choristers.
