Organ Scholarships at Trinity
Trinity always has two Organ Scholars in residence. Their duties are twofold: to accompany and to conduct services. In addition to their annual scholarship, Organ Scholars receive free organ tuition (with Colin Walsh and David Briggs) and three free dinners a week. A special annual bequest allows them to build up their own library of organ music. Organ Scholars study choral conducting with Stephen Layton and have the opportunity to work with him on projects in Cambridge and beyond. Frequently in demand as recitalists, accompanists, and conductors, Trinity Organ Scholars play a prominent role in the artistic life of the College and University. After graduating, many have taken up important positions, both sacred and secular, in the musical world.
Organs
Trinity College Chapel’s renowned organ was built by Metzler Orgelbau of Zürich in 1975, who restored the original cases and surviving pipework of the organs installed by Father Smith in 1694 (Rückpositiv) and 1708 (Hauptwerk). The action is mechanical. The College also has a chamber organ, built by Johnson, which is used as a continuo instrument for services and concerts. The specification for the Metzler is:
| HAUPTWERK 1* Principal 16 2* Octave 8 3 Hohlflöte 8 4* Octave 4 5 Spitzflöte 4 6* Quinte 2 2/3 7* Superoctave 2 8 Sesquialter III 9 Cornett IV 21 10 Mixtur IV-V 11 Trompete 8 12 Vox Humana |
RŰCKPOSITIV 13* Principal 8 14 Gedackt 8 15 Octave 4 16 Rohrflöte 4 17 Octave 2 18 Gemshorn 2 19 Larigot 1 1/3 20 Sesquialter II 21 Scharf III 22 Dulcian 8 Tremulant |
SCHWELLWERK 23 Viola 8 24 Suavial 8 25 Rohrflöt 8 26 Principal 4 27 Gedacktflöte 4 28 Nasard 2 2/3 29 Doublette 2 30 Terz 13/5 31 Mixtur IV 32 Fagott 16 33 Trompete 8 Tremulant |
PEDAL 34* Principal 16 35 Subbass 16 36 Octavbass 8 37 Bourdon 8 38 Octave 4 39 Mixtur V 40 Posaune 16 41 Trompete 8 42 Trompete 4 |
Couplers: R-H S-H H-P R-P S-P
*Father Smith ranks
When the Choir is on tour, the Organ Scholars have the opportunity to perform with the Choir playing on some of the world's finest instruments. For example, on the recent tour to California, the Choir performed in First Congregational Church, Los Angeles, which boasts the largest instrument in the world, and also in the Memorial Church, Stanford University (Organ Scholars pictured rehearsing below).
The Choir’s main focus during term is the singing of services in the College Chapel. Choral Evensong takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and on alternate Sunday mornings there is a service of Choral Eucharist. During the course of these services, the Choir explores a wide-ranging repertoire drawn from both Catholic and Protestant traditions. Music of all ages is sung and, in recent years, the Choir has collaborated with a number of contemporary composers and given several world premiere performances.
An important additional duty for the Choir is to sing at the six annual College feasts. Other traditional events include Singing from the Towers, when the Choir and Cambridge University Brass Ensemble perform from the three towers in Great Court; and Singing on the River, when the Choir sings from punts moored on the river. These events provide an opportunity for the Choir to explore a range of secular repertoire, from madrigals and partsongs to close harmony.
The Choir is socially rich and diverse. This is partly due to the range of academic subjects read by Choral Scholars - Natural Sciences, Maths, Engineering, Law, Theology, English, MML, Music etc. - as well as the range of backgrounds from which members come.
Concerts, Tours, Recordings and Broadcasts
Outside term the Choir enjoys a programme of high-profile performances and recordings. Further information about these can be found on this website. Whenever the Choir is required outside term, food and accommodation are provided free of charge in College and travel expenses are covered if a special journey is required. Tours are also undertaken at no cost to the individual Choral Scholar.
Music in College
Trinity is a very active College musically. Trinity College Music Society runs an orchestra and a chorus, and arranges regular concerts and recitals. There is a series of chamber music concerts given by professional musicians which takes place in the Drawing Room of the Master’s Lodge twice a term and is free of charge to Trinity members. There are six music practice rooms next to the Chapel, each with a piano and one with a harpsichord, which can be booked by members of the college. In the Chapel there is a Steinway D piano and a harpsichord, and a further five grand pianos are available in College for pianists. Organ Scholars are also provided with an electronic piano in their room.
Further information
Stephen Layton meets Choral or Organ Applicants throughout the year, giving them the opportunity to find out about Trinity College and the Choir, and to attend a Choir rehearsal. If you would like to arrange a meeting, please email music@trin.cam.ac.uk or call 01223 761528.
