Choral Scholars
Scholarship and Remuneration Positions Available
The Choral Scholars program offers scholarship positions of $2000 ($1000 per semester) to local college and high school students for the academic year. The positions allow students the experience of singing with an accomplished church choir, hopefully fostering a lifelong involvement with choral music. Choral Scholars may come from any religious affiliation and will at no time be required to become members of St. James, though participation in the events and life of the church are encouraged. Scholars will be considered full participating members of the choir at St. James.
Choral Scholars Requirements
Choral Scholars of college age must be actively enrolled in a degree program at an area college, university, or trade school. Those of high school age must maintain satisfactory grades and be considering a post-graduation education.
Participation requirements include a weekly rehearsal on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 (though rehearsals typically end closer to 8:30), and Sunday morning worship from 9:15-11:30. Additional activities include seasonal concerts (with dress rehearsals), and special liturgical observances not always on Sunday or Thursday (Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday). The schedule for the academic year begins the first Thursday after Labor Day through the end of June. In this period, a total of 6 absences from rehearsals and 6 absences from Sunday services will be permitted.
Payments of the scholarship will be made directly to the educational institution following each semester’s participation (late December and late May). Students who attend schools which function on a trimester schedule can have their scholarships adjusted accordingly. Students desiring remuneration in lieu of scholarship must consult with the Choir Director prior to starting the program. Additional opportunities may exist based on the periodic demands of the music program.
Applications for first semester consideration of 2018-2019 scholarships are being accepted through August 31, 2018. Applications submitted after semester deadline dates will always be reviewed and considered, but acceptance may be postponed due to enrollment or compensation prorated. All interested singers should complete an application or contact James Lorenz (jlorenz@stjameswoodstock.net) for more information.
About St. James
St. James is located in the heart of Woodstock, Vermont at the west end of the village green. While the congregation was established in 1827, the present church was built in 1907, designed in English Gothic style by the renowned architects, Cram, Goodhue & Ferguson of Boston and New York, and constructed of stone drawn from Quechee. Ralph Adams Cram (1863-1942), born in New Hampshire, designed the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, and several buildings at Princeton University in what came to be known as "collegiate" Gothic. St. James is considered one of Cram's most distinguished smaller churches, with its ideal proportions and extraordinary sense of space. St. James is 100% handicap accessible and a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, a part of the world-wide Anglican Communion.
The choir sings weekly in worship and presents concerts and major choral works periodically based on the liturgical season, including an annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmas, and has recently presented Telemann’s St. Matthew Passion, Fauré’s Requiem, and Rutter’s Requiem. Additionally, the choir sings occasional Evensong services throughout the year.
The choir of St. James is full of talented musicians, many of whom have strong music backgrounds, with an age range of singers from grade school to retirement. You can see the list of music for the upcoming season here.
CHORAL SCHOLAR APPLICATION
Step One
Complete application and return to:
St. James Episcopal Church
Choral Scholars
2 St. James Place
Woodstock, VT 05091
802-457-1727
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