Choral Scholarships for Young Singers

I am Matthias, the Music Director of Cantorion Rhos, a well-known mixed (SATB) choir based in Wrexham.

I would like to give young people in the Wrexham area the opportunity to experience high-quality choral singing and also provide them with vocal  coaching. Therefore, I have taken the initiative of establishing four choral scholarships for my choir, one per section. 

We have already raised funds for two choral scholarships from within the choir. But as this initiative does not receive public funding, I need to ask for your help in raising at least £ 500 for two more scholarships to kick-start our educational project in September 2018.  

What does a Choral Scholarship entail?

• Each recipient of a choral scholarship will receive £ 250 during their one-year tenure, payable in three instalments. The choral scholars will also receive free choir membership.
• I will provide the choral scholars with regular vocal tuition and coaching in ensemble-singing.
• Depending on their abilities, the choral scholars will have the opportunity to perform as soloists and/or in ensemble formations alongside Cantorion Rhos in our concerts.

Cantorion Rhos has a membership of about 40 members and performs regularly in the communites in and around Wrexham. We have at least six concerts a year, and also participate successfully in competitions. Among other engagement, we have recently performed at HMP Berwyn (see project picture above) . We offer plenty of high-quality performance experience for any young person interested in choral singing.

Why are Choral Scholarships important today?

I believe that choral scholarships present an exciting opportunity for us to support the musical and personal development of aspiring young singers; scholarships also help nurture their appreciation and enjoyment of music-making. This is especially important at times of cuts to funding for music education, with the effective end of the Wrexham Music Service being the latest example.

Choral Scholarships are traditionally offered by prestigious cathedral and well-established church choirs and form the back-bone of a choral tradition, which is a significant part of the UK's unique musical heritage. Having grown up in Austria I received my musical training as a member of the prestigious Vienna Boys Choir (see picture below). My four years spent there were crucial for my professional work today as a conductor and choral director.

Photo: This was me in 1985 as a member of the Vienna Boys Choir; choral scholars of a different kind.

Please SUPPORT my crowd-funding campaign!

I would like Cantorion Rhos to pioneer choral scholarships for community choirs in North Wales. Please accept my invitation to be part of our efforts, whether you live in Wrexham or elsewhere. Every amount, large or small, will be much appreciated. I will be providing a number of exciting rewards, including signed copies of my book "Orchesterspielen" (2010) - see picture below. Any additional funding raised through this campaign will be purely used for expanding the scholarship programme.

A big THANK YOU in advance!

Photo: Presentation of my book "Orchesterspielen" in 2010. A signed copy could be yours (see Rewards section).