Frideswide Voices offers an organ scholarship which mirrors those of the wider University, giving talented undergraduate (and sometimes graduate) students the opportunity to develop their skills and gain experience at the highest level during their time in Oxford. You can read more about the organ scholarship experience on the University’s web pages.
The FV Organ Scholarship offers a similar experience to those described, with the notable exception that it does not need to be held by a member of Christ Church - the most recent FV Organ Scholar, for example, was also the Organ Scholar of Trinity College. The FV Organ Scholar acts as an assistant to the Director of Music, accompanying Monday rehearsals, teaching theory, and helping to train the Probationer choristers. They also accompany some Wednesday Evensong services in the Cathedral, on a rota with the other Cathedral musicians, and services at various other college chapels when they occur. The Scholarship is an opportunity to gain experience in a busy cathedral music department working to the highest level. The FV Organ Scholar also receives training in choral conducting, and support from the Cathedral Sub-Organist in preparing repertoire. They are an integral part of the FV team and wider Christ Church community, and opportunities often occur for the FV Organ Scholar to contribute to the wider musical life of the Cathedral.
Tristan Weymes
FV Organ Scholar, 2019-2021
Tristan is a second year Music student at Trinity College, Oxford, where he is also Organ Scholar. He started working with Frideswide Voices in September 2019, accompanying in rehearsals and services, as well as teaching the probationers choristers. At Trinity, he is President of the Trinity College Music Society, and leads the choir’s new Access-orientated Choral Scholarship scheme, which involves leading workshops with children who visit the college. He has worked with youth choirs for several years, both as a singer and as a staff member, regularly conducting the groups, which include Highbury Youth Choirs and the Pimlico Musical Foundation. His work as a conductor and vocal leader has led him to conduct the Oxford University Chorus this year, set up his own vocal consort, as well as being Assistant Conductor of the Turl Street Arts Festival Orchestra, and the Oxford University String Ensemble. He has also been Musical Director of two Gilbert and Sullivan shows at Oxford, and will be Assistant Musical Director in an upcoming production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. He has previously been a member of the London Youth Chamber Choir, and the National Youth Choir of Great Britain.
