Organ Scholarships

The Sydney Nicholson Organ Scholarship is an ideal opportunity for a gap-year, or post-graduate, student to experience all aspects of Manchester Cathedral’s music. The scholarship was renamed in 1995 to commemorate Sir Sydney Nicholson (1875-1947), who was Organist of Manchester Cathedral from 1908-1918, before being appointed Organist of Westminster Abbey. In 1927 he founded the School of English Church Music, later the Royal School of Church. Sir Sydney did much to encourage the young and promote good standards in church music and it is fitting that we should remember his achievements in this way. The scholarship is open to anyone who is over the age of eighteen and not in secondary education. The holder of the scholarship is the senior organ scholar within the Cathedral and is appointed from the beginning of September to the end of August each year.

The Sydney Nicholson Organ Scholar is an important member of the music department. The scholarship provides plenty of opportunities to accompany choral services, direct the choir(s) at some services, play a part in the training of the Probationer Choristers and also to gain some administrative experience. The Sydney Nicholson Organ Scholar also acts as the Music Librarian.

Frederick Bridge Organ Scholarship

Each year an organ student from Chetham’s School of Music is offered the role of Frederick Bridge Organ Scholar at Manchester Cathedral. This provides valuable performing experience at an early stage.