The gap-year choral scholarships at Hereford Cathedral (one each of alto, tenor and bass) run annually from 1 September to 31 August. The scholarships offer experience of singing daily in the cathedral choir alongside the six lay clerks (who are augmented by three assistant lay clerks at weekends), and they would thus particularly suit singers intending to go on to one of the major university choral foundations.

Please note that we have now appointed choral scholars for 2026/27. Details of the scholarships can be downloaded here. Please note that there is no closing date for choral scholarship applications. However we will fill these positions as soon as we audition suitable candidates so early application is strongly recommended. Prospective candidates are welcome to contact the director of music, Andrew Reid, by email or to telephone him on +44 (0)1432 374212.

Former choral scholars are present or former students at King’s College, Cambridge; St John's College, Cambridge; Trinity College, Cambridge; Christ Church, Oxford; the universities of Edinburgh, Manchester and St Andrews; the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire; the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance; and the Royal College of Music. Several are now working as freelance singers and five are present or former lay clerks at St Albans Cathedral, St Paul's Cathedral, Manchester Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, Southwell Minster and Westminster Cathedral.

Details of the organ scholarship are available here.

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

Our 2025/26 choral scholars: Jimmy Hilton (alto), Ollie Perkins (tenor) & James Caroe (bass)

Jimmy Hilton (alto) was educated at Trinity Grammar School in Australia, and sang as a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne, where he later sang as a alto. Jimmy was also a member of the Australian Boys Choir and the Choir of Trinity College at the University of Melbourne. He enjoys composing, teaching, and sharing music with others.

Ollie Perkins (tenor) was a chorister of Worcester Cathedral whilst attending The King’s School, Worcester before moving to Uppingham School to study under Andrew Kennedy. Ollie also plays the piano, organ, and viola. After his year with us, he hopes to continue his musical career studying singing at a conservatoire or in an Oxford college choir.

James Caroe (bass) joined Sheffield Cathedral Choir at the age of six until its closure, when he began singing with Steel City Choristers, with whom he sang until becoming a choral scholar. At St Mark’s Church Broomhill he was senior organ scholar and occasionally conducted the choir. After his year as a choral scholar here, he will study computer science and mathematics at Durham University.

Hereford Cathedral’s music scholarships are supported by Cathedral Music Trust 2024-26