Organ scholarship

The organ scholar is the primary organist for the 9.30am parish mass and supports the Director of Music with playing and conducting the Gallery Choir at the 11am solemn mass, taking the lead when the Director is absent. In consultation with the Director of Music, the scholar attends all choir services, rehearsals and concerts:

  • Thursdays: 7.30-9.30pm rehearsal

  • Sundays: 9.30-10.15am Sung Mass, 10.15-10.45am rehearsal, 11am-12.30pm Solemn Mass

  • One midweek (evening) mass per month

  • Special services, such as for Christmas and Holy Week/Easter

  • Termly concerts

The organ scholar will have opportunities to focus on playing, improvising, conducting and/or community music-making. As well as four free singing lessons, the organ scholar receives free monthly organ lessons and ongoing tuition in performance, improvisation and choral conducting from the Director of Music, Robert Dixon. 

Experience

The scholarships are open to any students over the age of 16 enrolled in school, college, or university. This is the ideal opportunity for organists and conductors looking to become university organ scholars or professional church musicians.

The successful candidate will likely be an experienced liturgical musician, although not necessarily in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. Applicants should be of approximately ARCCO standard, comfortable playing hymns and solo repertoire. Ideally, they will also have experience conducting choirs and accompanying plainsong, but this is not essential. 

Application

We encourage you to submit an application as soon as possible using the form here. Applications will be reviewed beginning Friday, September 30.

Auditions will be held in early October at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene.  Candidates will be asked to perform prepared works, as well as sight-reading, transposition, score-reading, improvisation, and aural tests. 

Further information needed or questions?

Contact Robert Dixon Director of Music robert@stmarymagdalene.ca

OR

Katherine Anderson Scholarships Coordinator katherine.anderson@utoronto.ca