Choral Scholarships
Geelong Grammar School is fortunate to have a very fine choral programme which involves a large number of girls and boys throughout the school. The Choir of Geelong Grammar School (comprised largely of Choral Scholars) offers an important service to the school with its regular singing in the school Chapel, as well as regular performance in concerts.
Choral Scholarships are offered for
- Corio Campus – Years 10 and 11
Eligibility and auditions
Applicants should be Australian or New Zealand citizens or holders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa, who are entering Year 10. Current Geelong Grammar School students are eligible to apply.
Applicants should have previous choral or vocal experience, be musically literate and have a love of singing.
Successful applicants must abide by the Terms and Conditions of the Scholarship.
Auditions are usually held in the February of the year prior to year level entry.
Click here for current application closing dates and audition dates.
During auditions, applicants will be asked to:
- Perform two contrasting choral or solo pieces.
- Take tests of aural awareness and sight singing.
Note: if a student currently holds a scholarship at another school, this should be disclosed at the audition.
Choral Scholarships are a particularly prestigious scholarship to hold. The financial value of the scholarship is minimal, it is the kudos that is most valuable.
Application fees
A non-refundable fee of $50 is required for each application.
Terms and Conditions for Choral Scholars
The Choir of Geelong Grammar School is an auditioned choir of about 60 Senior School students (including up to 24 Choral Scholars), as well as staff. The Choir sings regularly for Sunday Chapel and other Chapel Services, as well as for concerts. The music sung includes religious and non religious music and covers many musical styles, from all periods of classical music to gospel, jazz and folk.
Apart from learning many pieces of music, choristers also learn how to use their voices; each rehearsal is a group singing lesson. Being in the Choir is great fun, as well as being immensely rewarding. The standard is high and choristers find that they make great individual progress.
- Choral Scholarships are offered on the basis of audition. Whilst previous choral experience would be an advantage, what is sought in a potential Choral Scholar is a good, clear toned voice with the ability to sing well in tune; music reading ability; and, above all, enthusiasm for singing in a group and preparedness to commit to the Choir.
- The Choir of GGS normally rehearses twice a week (once at lunchtime and once after school) plus the warm up before Choral Chapel Services. Year 10 and 11 Choral Scholars will also have group sight reading tuition.
- Choral Scholars are expected to sing for all performances, including Choral Chapel Services and Concerts.
- The Choir will normally sing for a minimum of 4 Sunday Choral Chapel Services a term, one of which might be in the evening. Exeats need to be so arranged that Choristers can meet their choir commitments but the aim is to minimise disruption to exeats.
- There are very occasional weddings requiring choir. If Choristers do not have a prior school commitment (such as sport) they will sing for weddings.
- Choir rehearsals, Choral Chapel Services and Concerts take priority over any other activities. Exceptions may include academic excursions, camps and certain sports finals. In such cases, permission must be sought (as outlined below).
- In exceptional circumstances, a Chorister may seek permission to be excused from a rehearsal or performance. This must be done in writing to the Director of Chapel Music before the rehearsal and, in the case of a Sunday Chapel Service, by the previous Tuesday, at the latest. Permission to be excused from a concert must be sought as early as possible.
- Choral Scholars are expected to make an effort to learn notes outside of rehearsals if they are having particular difficulty.
- A Choral Scholar who wishes to leave the Choir would normally be expected to remain in the Choir until the end of that year. If a Choral Scholar does leave the choir, then the financial award is lost.
- A Choral Scholar's progress and effort will be monitored by the Director of Chapel Music. In order to continue as a scholar from year to year, scholars need to perform satisfactorily.
Tom Healey
Director of Chapel Music