Organ Scholarship Project 2024 – 25
Applications are open for the position of Organ Scholar at St. Paul’s Within the Walls Episcopal Church, Rome for the academic year September 2024-end June 2025. The scholarship, founded in 2014, provides an exciting opportunity for either a gap year student or postgraduate organist who wishes to be part of the vibrant expat community in Rome, engaging in the varied musical life both of the church and of the wider musical scene of the city.
Worship at St. Paul’s
The pattern of worship includes two Sung Eucharists each Sunday, one in English and the other in Spanish, and some additional services for religious feasts / special occasions throughout the year.
The Instruments
St. Paul’s has a three manual Mascioni organ which is being restructures and expanded this year, and a new positive organ is being built. We also have three grand pianos, a spinet and a programmable/playable carillon.
The Choirs
Sunday Choir
For the main Sunday service there is an English speaking choir made up of paid professionals and auditioned amateurs. The repertoire is varied and, although mostly based in renaissance polyphony, spans from Byrd to Kodály to Negro Spirituals.
Monday Choir
This is a mostly Italian-speaking volunteer choir that rehearses at St. Paul’s and sings for concerts and occasional services. The two choirs are occasionally combined together for larger production, also with orchestra.
The New Chamber Singers
The church additionally enjoys close ties with its sister church, All Saints’, the Church of England chaplaincy. Closely linked to All Saints’ is the ‘New Chamber Singers’, an auditioned choir with a full season of concerts.
All these choirs are under the responsibility of the Director of music, who is also involved with other vocal and instrumental ensembles.
The Concert Season
The church hosts hundreds of concerts and run its own series on Sundays at 18.30 from the first Sunday in November and until Palm Sunday. The concerts feature organ recitals, choral and chamber music, occasional symphonic and oratorio programs. The organ scholar is normally asked to take part in the series by accompanying the choir if not by playing a recital according to their skill.
What do we expect from the Organ Scholar?
1) Assist the Director of Music in all his duties and participate in all aspects of the music program. Prepare organ voluntaries / sing / accompany or conduct the church choirs for their liturgies and concerts. Substitute for the Director of Music in his absence.
2) Help the Director of Music in planning all music events, in selecting the appropriate hymns, anthems, etc. for all services as well as for concerts.
3) Help the Director of Music and the choristers in keeping the music archive organized and tidy.
4) Help in the organization and security on the day for the church’s own concert series.
5) Help the Director of Music and the staff in keeping the relevant sections of the website updated and in communicating all relevant events both within congregation and the wider community through the social media.
What do we offer?
1) A friendly environment with free access to the instruments for your own practice of repertoire.
2) Regular meetings with the Director of Music with the opportunity of organ / composition / choral conducting lessons or practice, as well as practical advice in general music matters.
3) The opportunity to work with choirs of various levels and of wide repertoire.
4) The opportunity to take part in concerts both inside and outside the normal routine of the church.
5) A room in the “Collegio” on the first floor of the Parish House with shared bathroom and kitchen, all utilities and WiFi included.
6) Although this is not a paid position, there are several options available to help cover living expenses. We’ll be happy to give more details to those who are seriously interested.
St. Paul’s is truly unique, a place where many different spiritual and cultural paths cross and a wide variety of people meet together. Our music program reflects this openness, and we proudly organize and host hundreds of concerts and cultural events.
You may submit your application directly to music@stpaulsrome.it
Please, include, together with your bio, a short description of your own goals and interests for this project, a clip or a link to 2 different works for organ played live. One should be by J. S. Bach (a short prelude and fugue, a Trio Sonata movement, or a chorale) and the other of your own choice of a different character (max 5’).
The age limit for the position is 27, and the normal duration of the scholarship is 9 months (September through June). You will have time off to travel and explore during your stay, but we would appreciate your guaranteed presence during the high seasons of Christmas and Holy Week – Easter.
The list of our former Organ Scholars include James Grimwood, Julia Alsop, Carter M. Leer, Eric Foster, Hugo Williams and Freddie Frostwick. The program was suspended during Covid time and resumed last year in a more special way with Professor Kenneth Miller. This year’s scholarship has been assigned to Efisio Aresu.
The deadline for applications is the end of June. If you have further questions do not hesitate to contact me directly via email or by phone call / video meeting.
Stefano Vasselli, Organist and Director of Music