‘We are delighted to welcome these young singers,’ said Geraint Bowen, director of music at Hereford Cathedral. ‘This is the second year that we have had choral scholars, while Douglas is our fourth organ scholar, and the scheme has been a great success.’

‘While the scholars are with us, they will have the opportunity to take part in a number of special events and services including performances of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and St John Passion, an Advent carol service at the Guards’ Chapel in London and broadcasting Choral Evensong live on BBC Radio 3 with the year culminating in a Hereford Three Choirs Festival. These, along with our normal schedule of eight sung services per week, will give them plenty of opportunity to develop their musical skills.’

In addition to singing and playing with the cathedral choir, the four students will be involved in the county’s wider musical life including singing with Hereford Choral Society and with the Three Choirs Festival Chorus.

During their time in Hereford the scholars will be living in St Ethelbert’s House, which overlooks Redcliffe Gardens and Castle Green. The house was part of a generous gift to the cathedral, as part of a legacy, by the late Esther Poole-Hughes. The scholarships have also been funded by the Rowlands Trust, Elmley Foundation, Friends of Cathedral Music and a number of private individuals, along with Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust.

Although the new scholars have only just arrived, the recruitment of the 2012/13 scholars is already under way.

Anyone wishing to learn more about the choral and organ scholarships, or who would like to contribute to the funding of the cathedral choir, should contact the Perpetual Trust office, in the first instance (01432 374261: perpetual.trust@herefordcathedral.org), or visit the choral scholars page here:Choral Scholarships , organ scholarship page  here: Organ Scholarship