The scholarships run from the beginning of September ‘til the Sunday after school term ends in the summer (usually around 15 July), and include Christmas and Easter. Over the past few years, choral scholars have moved on to places such as St. John’s, Girton & Jesus Colleges, Cambridge, Christ Church & New Colleges, Oxford, and Durham University.

The choral work involves singing at the six choral services each week, as well as their associated rehearsals. A Choral Scholar will be expected to be a good sight-reader, as the repertoire of the choir is wide and varied, and rehearsal time is limited.

The work at Portsmouth Grammar School can be tailored to the strengths of the successful candidate where possible with work in the Music Department, Sports and Drama as well as The Portsmouth Festivities Office. The cathedral choral scholarships are worth around £2,000 plus special service fees and singing lessons, and the school post £9,000. We are able to assist you with accommodation needs

About the Portsmouth Cathedral Choir

Portsmouth Cathedral Choir comprises 24 boy choristers and 12 gentlemen who contribute to the pattern of daily cathedral worship. Opportunities exist for counter-tenor, tenor, or basses who, having completed their school or university education, are looking for the chance to sing and work within a cathedral foundation for a year.

Our relationship with Portsmouth Grammar School

Portsmouth Grammar School can be found at the other end of Old Portsmouth’s high street. It’s one of the country’s leading independent co-educational day schools, and enjoys a national reputation for the fine quality of its educational provision.

The cathedral and school enjoy a close relationship — not least because most of the cathedral choristers are educated at the school. Portsmouth Grammar School is a member of the Choir Schools’ Association.

The London Mozart Players are Associate Musicians of the school, and there would be opportunities for successful candidates to liaise with them. Previous gap year students have been part of a team managing the annual Portsmouth Festivities.

Michael James Organ Scholarship

This post is held jointly between Portsmouth Cathedral and Portsmouth Grammar School. There are at least two cathedral services for the organ scholar to play every week — often Monday Men’s Voices Evensong and all or part of another weekday service.

Often, there will be more. We involve the organ scholar in the training of the choristers too. At school, there are a number of services and assemblies to play for. The organ scholar normally works in the school music department office too. The cathedral organ scholarship is worth £1,500, and the school post £9,000. We provide accommodation in cathedral property at below commercial rent. Recent Organ Scholars have moved on to University Organ Scholarships, Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Cathedral.

The Portsmouth experience involves the opportunity to be a part of a small community of broad music-making which, in addition to the Cathedral, includes Portsmouth Grammar School and a good deal of freelance work, particularly as part of StopGap, the scholars’ close harmony group. Plus, the city of Portsmouth is a place of life and diversity — there’s plenty here to ensure a gap year full of variety!