The organ scholarship at Hereford Cathedral runs annually from 1 September to 31 August. It provides an organ student with the experience of working in a cathedral music department, offering the opportunity to develop and extend their skills in service playing, choir accompaniment and other relevant areas.

Prospective applicants for the 2025/26 scholarship are welcome to contact the Director of Music, Geraint Bowen, by email or by telephone on +44 (0)1432 374238.

Details of Hereford Cathedral’s choral scholarships may be found here.

Our 2023/24 organ scholar, Jacob Costard

Jacob Costard was educated at St John’s School in Leatherhead. He has served as a deputy organist at Guildford Cathedral and was awarded his ARCO with four prizes last summer: he is currently working towards his FRCO. After his year at Hereford, Jacob will be taking up the organ scholarship at Clare College, Cambridge.

Previous organ scholars

2022–23 Evie Perfect

In October 2023, Evie took up the organ scholarship at Clare College, Cambridge.

2021–22 Francois Cloete

Francois took up the organ scholarship at Merton College, Oxford in 2022

2020–21 Cassian Southwick

Cassian took up the organ scholarship at Downing College, Cambridge in 2021 and is now working for Harrison & Harrison in Durham

2019–20 Jonathan Lee

Jonathan is organ scholar at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he is reading for a degree in music.

2018–19 Henry Metcalfe

Henry read music at King’s College London whilst also holding the organ scholarship at St Mary’s Church, Bourne Street. He is currently director of music at St Michael's Church, Camden Town, London.

2017–18 Joel Trekell

Joel was our first post-graduate organ scholar, having studied at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey. He subsequently studied for a master’s degree in sacred music at the University of Houston, Texas and is currently associate director of music and organist at St Paul's United Methodist Church in Houston.

2016–17 Laurence John

Laurence was organ scholar at The Queen’s College, Oxford from 2017 to 2020. He was subsequently organ scholar at Exeter Cathedral and in 2022 he took up the post of assistant director of music at St Davids Cathedral.

2015–16 Charles Maxtone-Smith

Charles was organ scholar at New College, Oxford from 2016 to 2019 and also assisting organist for the following academic year. He was subsequently organ scholar at Westminster Abbey and is currently pursuing a freelance career in London.

2014–15 William Fox

Will was organ scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford from 2015 to 2018. He is currently acting organist at St Paul’s Cathedral and in September 2024 takes up the post of director of music at St Albans Cathedral.

2013–14 Jonny Allsopp

Jonny was organ scholar at Durham Cathedral from 2014 to 2017. Following two years as organ scholar at Westminster Cathedral, he took up the post of assistant director of music at Southwell Minster in 2019.

2012–13 Joseph Wicks

Joseph was organ scholar at St John’s College, Cambridge from 2013 to 2016 and assistant organist at the college for the following academic year. He is now pursuing a freelance career in London.

2011–12 Douglas Tang

Doug was organ scholar at King’s College, Cambridge from 2012 to 2015. He is now pursuing a freelance career in London.

2010–11 Timothy Parsons

Tim was organ scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge from 2011 to 2014. Since 2021 he has been director of music at St Edmundsbury Cathedral. In September 2024 he takes up the post of director of music at Wells Cathedral.

2009–10 Jeremy Cole

Jeremy was organ scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge from 2010 to 2013. From 2020 to 2022 he was director of music at Wells Cathedral and is now pursuing a freelance career.

2008–09 Simon Bland

Simon was organ scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge from 2009 to 2012 and is currently director of music at Haileybury College.

The image at the head of this page is St Ethelbert's House, where the music scholars live