Choral Scholarships
The PCC, Vicar and Churchwardens are pleased to announce that we have appointed four choral scholars to join our choir for the 2024/25 academic year. As a church we are committed to the professional development and education of young musicians. These positions are well-suited to conservatoire students, university students and aspiring young professionals. The scholars are expected to play an important role within the choir, supporting their respective voice parts through the regular routine of services, rehearsals, and concerts. See here for more information.
After receipt of generous personal donations we are delighted to announce that the Governors of the Sir William Boreman Foundation have agreed to make a grant over three years towards the Choral Scholarship Programme.
If you are interested in becoming a choral scholar, or if you would be interested in supporting this exciting scheme, please be in touch with the Director of Music, Ben Newlove to discuss further.
Keeley Taylor – Soprano Choral Scholar
Keely is a viola player, currently in her first year of study at Trinity Laban conservatoire studying with Malcom Johnstone.
She has a love of singing and has sung from the age of six in choirs including while at Hereford Cathedral school singing in their chapel choir, chamber choir and Cantabile girls’ choir and while at Chetham’s School of Music for sixth form, sang in the Chamber choir, Chorale and the Hallé youth choir. With the Hallé youth choir where they often sang in Bridgwater Hall with the Hallé orchestra and more recently in the Proms season with Mark Elder conducting.
Keeley is excited for the year ahead being part of the St Alfege Church Choir and being involved with such a welcoming group of like-minded musicians.
Sophia Eldred – Alto Choral Scholar
Sophia has just started first year at Trinity Laban Conservatoire as a classical vocal student and is receiving one-to-one training from Lynton Atkinson.
She enjoyed singing in her local church choir, Our Lady of Lourdes Harpenden, for 11 years from when she was seven years old. She became head chorister and then director of choristers, She was also a member of her school's auditioned Chamber Choir.
Sophia has been a soloist on multiple occasions, including the solo in ‘Gratitude and Grace’ in Howard Goodall’s ‘Unconditional Love’, and the duet 'Ladamus te’ in Vivaldi’s Gloria.
She very much looks forwards to singing alto with St Alfege Church choir and learning the wide repertoire.
Byron Davis-Hughes – Tenor Choral Scholar
Byron started singing as a chorister at Sherborne Abbey from the age of five, staying for eleven years. During his time there he was part of several album recordings and sang at venues such as Notre Dame, Wells Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral also receiving a Dean's Award from Salisbury Diocese
He is a third year vocal student at Trinity Laban studying under Lynton Atkinson and regularly freelances across London. Notable engagements include chorus lead for Blackheath Halls Opera 2023 and 2024, St John’s Passion soloist for Northampton Bach Choir, Old Royal Naval College Chapel Choir and Tiffin Boys School. Byron was also a Bursary student for Stile Antico this summer at The Music Summer School Festival.
Cameron Galvin – Bass Choral Scholar
Cameron is this year’s Bass Choral Scholar at St Alfege Church. he began his life in choral music aged six, when he joined his local church choir, and received a great musical and liturgical education. He became Head Chorister at age 13, having achieved an RSCM Gold Award shortly before that.
He has just started first year studying Vocal Studies at Trinity Laban, being taught by Lynton Atkinson, where he will receive four years of intensive vocal training to prepare him for whatever musical direction he steers his career.
Cameron is very much looking forward to being involved in such a large and welcoming church community, and to spend a year singing alongside great musicians.