Music

From a capella to choral ... music-making in the College falls into two main categories: Chapel music and instrumental music.

The fine Chapel organ was built by Mander in 1968. The College offers Organ Scholarships in two out of every three years, and therefore normally has two Organ Scholars in residence at any one time. The Senior Organ Scholar trains the choir and is understudied by the Junior Organ Scholar, who acts as assistant organist. These are responsible but rewarding posts. The Scholarship is worth £250.

The choir itself has vacancies for all voices, and the College awards up to six choral exhibitions each year. The exhibitioners are expected to sing in the Sunday Services, and also once during the week. They are required to attend two practices a week. A choral exhibitioner receives £100 a year.

The choir often travels to sing in concerts and services outside Cambridge. The College also offers competitive awards for instrumental performers. Holders of such awards receive free tuition on their instrument, and for all other players the College will consider paying half the cost of music teaching.

Bene't Music Society

The College music society is the Bene't Club, which arranges informal concerts in the Master's Lodge two or three times a term. Orchestral concerts are also held during the year, and there are occasional lunchtime recitals in Chapel and Sunday evening concerts.

"There are many students here who do not study music and are very good musicians. Groups that develop in Corpus are therefore usually quite flexible in their formation, and may change from year to year depending on the fresh talent that each year brings.

For example, this year I got together with a friend to a direct an a capella group with view to engage all the Corpus singers who may not have been involved in Corpus choir and who wanted to look at a different repertory.

Corpus works hard to put together orchestral concerts every term. In the Lent term the Bene't Club put on a mixed program including Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition which I conducted. This term also included a performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion, which our Junior Organ Scholar conducted. The most important thing about Corpus music is that you can do as little or as much as you want."- Louise Cooper, music.