Dioceses of Down & Dromore and Connor Organ Scholarship Programme

07/09/2026

The Dioceses of Down and Dromore and Connor will celebrate their Organ Scholars at the Annual Awards Service of Choral Evensong on Sunday 20th September at 3:30 p.m. at St Columba’s Knock
and the Rector, the Reverend Canon John Auchmuty will lead the service.

The occasion is an opportunity to mark the achievements of those leaving the scheme after three years of study and to welcome new and returning scholars to the scheme.

We will also honour Dr Joe McKee OBE who is stepping down from his role as a tutor having served the Scholarship Scheme for many decades.

The guest preacher will be the Reverend Canon Simon Doogan, Rector of Ballyholme Parish Church and preliminary music, provided by our scholars, will commence at 3:00 p.m.

29/01/2026

24/12/2025

Wishing all of our friends, followers and scholars a very Merry Christmas and a happy, rewarding 2026!

28/09/2025

A beautiful service of Choral Evensong to celebrate the achievements of this year’s graduates: Lucy Steele (Glenavy Parish) and Katy McKnight (Holy Trinity Portrush).

Wonderful to hear from a range of our Scholars before and after the service and to be joined by tutors Joe McKee, Michael McCracken and Graeme McCullough.

Our sincere thanks to Canon Stephen Fielding, Director of Music Richard Campbell and the choir for their huge and considered contributions. Also to all those who provided refreshments.

A truly memorable and uplifting occasion.

14/04/2025

Visit of Dr Barry Rose OBE

With thanks to Mrs Hayley Howe (trustee) for sharing her observations of the day:

On Saturday 5th April the Organ Scholarship Scheme Board of Management hosted a choral workshop with the renowned organist and choral director Dr Barry Rose OBE. This workshop was open both to current scholars on the Organ Scholarship Scheme and to anyone interested and involved in church music.

The morning began with a social gathering with Dr Rose over some delicious refreshments kindly provided by some members of St John’s Malone.

At 10.30am sharp we gathered in the church and from then on we hardly noticed the time passing!

Dr Rose introduced us to his thoughts on what singing really is, defining it as “public speaking set to different pitches”. He explained and demonstrated various methods of congregational hymn leading and outlined issues such as playing an introduction and how to navigate pacing between verses. His insights were fascinating and filled with amusing and memorable anecdotes. We explored the importance and value of the use of facial expression and eye contact to convey a wide variety of tonal colour and expression. There was some gentle humour with some rather interesting questions and answers posed for our consideration.

We moved on to choral training and Emma, one of the current scholars, volunteered to take to the podium. Having formed a scratch choir for the purposes of the morning, we were introduced to some of his typical warm-up exercises such as singing the days of the week up and down a major scale, singing the alphabet in rhythm and then counting afterwards to experiment with breath control. We then studied two of Rose’s own arrangements of the familiar hymns, “The Servant Song” and “Lord of all Hopefulness”. Conducting style was discussed as well as vocal arrangements, with particular reference to the addition of a decorative descant.

For a gentleman in his 90s, Rose is absolutely astonishing - so full of energy and passion for church music, good choral singing and leading a congregation in worship as they sing. His enthusiasm was infectious and we could not believe how quickly the time had flown when the session came to an end. All attendees agreed that it had been a truly inspirational and memorable morning.

26/02/2025

Applications for our unique 3-year programme are NOW OPEN!
Enjoy professional organ tuition, access to wonderful instruments, choral training and confidence-building mentorship, all FREE OF CHARGE.

We would be delighted to hear from you. All ages welcome and further details below. Don't hesitate to get in touch!

24/12/2024

With all good wishes for a Happy Christmas from our Chair and Board.

04/10/2024

Organ Scholar Graduate, Grace Steed, reflects on the scheme and the ways in which it has enriched her playing and appreciation of the unique place of the organ in worship.