Exeter College Choir consists of 24 singers drawn from Exeter College and the wider University of Oxford. We currently have vacancies for sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses beginning Hilary term (January 2023), plus vacancies on our deputy list. Auditions will be held in the College Chapel on Turl St (OX1 3DP) between 7th - 9th December and during 0th week of Hilary term. To arrange an audition, please complete this form.
The Weekly Commitment
Members of the Choir sing three services per week under the direction of the Parry Wood Organ Scholar. The normal weekly schedule includes services every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday evenings throughout term with rehearsal prior to each, and a general rehearsal on Wednesday evenings.
Additional Opportunities
One of the things that makes Exeter special is that we're student-led, which makes for one of the friendliest and most supportive communities of any Oxford college choirs. We work to a high musical standard: producing professional recordings, performing concerts, and organising outreach events throughout the United Kingdom. Through these many opportunities, we explore the great breadth of choral repertoire, from medieval polyphony to newly-composed works. We also organise plenty of social events throughout the academic year in Oxford, and being in the choir is a fantastic way to meet people from the wider university in all stages of their academic life working in every discipline. Many of our singers go on to become lifelong friends.
Compensation
Everyone in the Choir is receives the same compensation: a small stipend, individual singing lessons with Carris Jones throughout term, and dinners following every service (formal on Sundays, informal on weekdays).
Audition
We do not expect any amount of choral or singing experience, though due to the sheer amount of repertoire our schedule demands, sight reading skills are a necessity. If you have any questions, please email the senior organ scholar. We ask you to prepare a solo piece of any style, no more than five minutes in duration. An accompanist will be available, but you may sing unaccompanied if you wish. The audition will also consist of vocal warm-ups, a range test, and sight reading.
Academical Clerkships
To become an academical clerk (known elsewhere as choral scholar) in the academic year 2024–25, prospective candidates must apply during the University's annual choral awards audition period, which closes at the end of September. If a candidate is accepted, they will need to apply to the University, and then be accepted specifically at Exeter College — we strongly suggest you mark Exeter as your first choice for college in the application process. If a student is nominated for a choral award but is accepted at another college, they can still sing in Exeter College Choir, but as choral bursars (with the same duties and compensation). For more details, please visit the College's webpages on organ and choral awards here.