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.

Applications for the 2025/26 scholarship are now open. For further details please click here. The closing date for applications is Sunday 22 September 2024. Prospective candidates are welcome to contact the Director of Music, Geraint Bowen, by email or to telephone him on +44 (0)1432 374238.

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

Our 2024/25 organ scholar, Jake Buckton

Jake Buckton was educated at Archbishop Holgate’s School in York and played the organ regularly for services at St Chad’s and St Oswald’s churches in York: he also sang bass in the York Chapter House Youth Choir. He is currently working towards his ARCO. After his year with us, Jake will read for a degree in music as the organ scholar of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge.

Previous organ scholars

2023–24 Jacob Costard

Jacob is currently organ scholar at Salisbury Cathedral and takes up the organ scholarship at Clare College, Cambridge, in autumn 2024

2022–23 Evie Perfect

Evie took up the organ scholarship at Clare College, Cambridge in 2023

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 currently working for Viscount Classical Organs

2019–20 Jonathan Lee

Jonathan took up the organ scholarship at Trinity College, Cambridge in 2020, and is currently undertaking further organ study in Amsterdam.

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 director of music and organist at Grace and St Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs.

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 where he was also assisting organist for the following academic year. He was subsequently organ scholar at Westminster Abbey and in 2024 took up his current post of organist at Buckfast Abbey.

2014–15 William Fox

Will was organ scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford from 2015 to 2018. In autumn 2024 he takes up the post of director of music at St Albans Cathedral following six years as acting organist at St Paul’s 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 at Trinity College, Cambridge from 2009 to 2012. He is currently director of music at St Pancras Old Church in London and pursuing a freelance career.

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