With a quickly expanding population,currently just over a quarter of a

million, Lincoln is no sleepy Cathedral City. Don’t be mistaken; the uphill Cathedral

Quarter is packed with old-world charm, butwhat gives Lincoln its appeal is the largebustling downhill central business district,with the usual variety of chain stores wellcomplimented by quirky individual boutiquesand markets.

With cinemas, restaurants and museums, notto mention a staggering number ofrestaurants, traditional ale pubs and trendybars, Lincoln has something to satisfy all tastes.

Transport links are good, with fast roadaccess via the A1 and A46, and London KingsCross just 1 hour 45 mins away on the train.With a regular and reliable East Coast mainline

service following ashort hop toneighbouring Newark,and direct trains to St

Pancras, many nowcommute to the

capital from Lincoln. For a choral scholar

looking either tosupplement theirincome, or to forge acareer, there are manyopportunities forcasual and permanent employment, or furtherstudy at one of the city’s two Universities.Bishop Grosseteste University College, inparticular, has been a popular venue for ChoralScholars who wish to undertake PGCEtraining, a course for which the institution hasa fine reputation.

For those looking further to the future,Lincoln is a very affordable town in which tolive, with a broad and attractively pricedhousing market.

9 Eastgate

For more than 200 years the tallest building in theworld, (surpassing the Great Pyramid of Giza) Lincoln

Cathedral is visible for many miles in every direction,dominating the county’s skyline.

Dating in parts back to the 11th century there can be fewfiner buildings in which to sing and work. Millions of visitorsthroughout the centuries have been inspired by a visit toLincoln, such as eminent Victorian writer John Ruskin, whofamously declared: "I have always held that the cathedral ofLincoln is out and out the most precious piece of architecture inthe British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two othercathedrals we have."

Lincoln Cathedral is held in greatesteem by its county-folk, who havealways taken on a huge role ofstewardship in ensuring its upkeepand relevance to the community. Thissupport is testified by healthycongregation numbers within boththe cathedral and Diocese.

Under the stewardship of DirectorAric Prentice, and assistantCharles Harrison, Lincoln

Cathedral Choir has established itselfamong the finest in the country.

With two front lines (boys and girls), twodirectors of music and threeorganists, there isn’t too muchrepertoire that the choir cannotembrace, and a look at themusic list on any given week

will reflect this. From soloistic verse anthemssuch as My Beloved Spake by Purcell to grandMozart masses accompanied by strings, andfrom the 16th century twelve-part Earthquakemass by Brumel to Walton’s The Twelve, exciting,challenging music is the norm rather than theexception in Lincoln.

In addition to playing an important role in thedaily worship in the cathedral, the choirundertakes annual BBC Radio 3 broadcasts, andforeign tours and recordings at least everyother year, with the most recent disc, O be joyfulin The Lord (Guild), earning critical acclaim.(Excerpts on request)

The choir regularly performs new pieces:recent works by contemporary composers Tarik

O’Regan, John Joubert and Richard Lloyd havejoined an extensive repertoire of LincolnCommissions which stretches back to the timeof one-time organist and choirmaster WilliamByrd.

Choral Scholars participate fully in the sevenweekly services (Evensong TTFSS, + Eucharist and

Mattins on Sunday) undertaking regular solo andsemi-chorus involvement within the choir, anddevelop ing your technique and solo repertoirewith regular, fully-subsidised tuition fromhighly-regarded voice teacher Robert Rice. Inreturn you will receive a generousremuneration packagewhich, overall, has paritywith that of theCathedral Lay Vicars.

There are expected tobe vacancies in 2011for all voice parts.

An opportunity for excellent musicians to sing with a first classcathedral choir in an awe-inspiring building, with extras includingfree singing lessons, and accommodation in the Cathedral Close,and remuneration of £3,429 p/a.

Lincoln Cathedral

South-facing, opposite the North Wall of theCathedral lies the newly refurbished Grade 2 listed

early 19th century property - 9 Eastgate.Ideal in both its facilities and location, this fully furnished

four-storey triple-fronted townhouse accommodates theChoral Scholars, who are not charged rent, rates, orcouncil tax.

Located in the historic Cathedral quarter, just a stone’sthrow from the cathedral, and a hundred yards from theBailgate shopping area, the setting is both inspirational andpractical - not least on a Sunday morning, when the vestryis two minutes from the front door!

With large rooms throughout the house, there is amplespace at 9 Eastgate for socialising, study, or hosting visitors.

Fully renovated in 2007

Gas/Electric oven

On-demand gas boiler

Bathroom/WC and

washroom/WC

Separate bath and shower

Large (15x15 feet) bedrooms

Large vaulted cellar

Garden with bicycle storage

Ample attic storage

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Originally from the USA, I moved to Englandafter study as a voice major at the OberlinConservatory of Music. Before coming to Lincoln, Iwas a choral scholar at York Minster while doing anMA in ensemble singing at the University of York.

My time in Lincoln has beenexcellent, and I have found theexperience very enriching andthe choir to be of a very highstandard.

Sam Sytsma - Alto Choral Scholar 2007 - 09

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The opportunity to sing regularly in the cathedral means you'repart of a community. It has enabled me to continue performing to a highstandard while studying for my PGCE, and what a building to sing in!

Stephen Clay, Bass Choral Scholar 2008 - 10“

The Choir

Life in Lincoln

Connections - Amenities - Development

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For an informaldiscussion, or toapply for a choralscholarship, contactthe Director of Music, Aric Prentice, oneither:01522 551342oraric.prentice@church-schools.com

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St Hugh’s Choir where the majority of choral servicestake place

Robert Rice teaches thescholars

Singing Brumel in Chartres during the 2009Loire Valley tour

The magnificent Norman west frontof Lincoln Cathedral

Banks’ View - Looking East from high inside the building

9 Eastgate - The scholars’ house is just a stone’s throwfrom the Cathedral’s North wall

The view from 9 Eastgate

Lincoln’s 1.5 mile high street is home to aneclectic mix of shops and restaurants

Picturesque, and aptly-named: Steep Hill

Applying

Choral Scholarships

I came to Lincoln following amusic degree in Durham, where I’dbeen a Choral Scholar at theCathedral.

I became quickly aware of Lincoln’sstrength, both musically andsocially, with the latter a particularly importantfactor for me.A couple of years on, having found a great jobwhich fits in well with singing, I’m feeling very muchat home in Lincoln, socially and professionally.

Nick Edmonds - Bass Choral Scholar 2007 - 09

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