Organ scholar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An organ scholar is employed as a part-time assistant organist. The idea of an organ scholarship is to provide the holder with playing, directing and administrative experience.

Organ scholars may sometimes be found at a cathedral or a collegiate church. Many colleges at Oxford and Cambridge universities, as well as other universities, offer organ scholarships to undergraduates. At some institutions (for example, Christ Church, Oxford or King's College, Cambridge), the organ scholar(s) work under the direction of a full-time professional Director of Music. At other institutions, the organ scholar is in charge of running the choir.

Many organ scholars have gone on to notable careers in music and in other fields. Two notable ex-organ scholars who went on to achieve fame in other fields are Edward Heath (who read Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Balliol College, Oxford) and Dudley Moore (who read music at Magdalen College, Oxford).