The Alma Scholars programme sits at the heart of the Consort’s mission. It exists to support talented young singers at a formative stage in their development — offering mentoring, performance experience, and a pathway into professional choral life.
Why it matters
The transition from student singer to professional chorister is not always straightforward. Many gifted young musicians leave university or conservatoire with excellent vocal technique but limited experience of the particular demands of ensemble singing at a professional level: the discipline of blend, the art of sight-reading under pressure, the sensitivity to balance and intonation that distinguish a fine choral singer.
The Alma Scholars programme is designed to bridge this gap. Scholars rehearse and perform alongside the full ensemble, learning not from textbooks but from the daily practice of making music together.
What Scholars receive
Scholars benefit from regular rehearsals with the Consort, performance opportunities in concerts and recordings, and informal mentoring from the ensemble’s directors and senior singers. The programme is deliberately flexible — we recognise that young musicians are often juggling studies, freelance work, and multiple commitments, and we aim to support rather than constrain.
Looking ahead
We believe that investing in young singers is not an act of charity but an essential part of sustaining the choral tradition. The singers we mentor today are the section leaders, soloists, and directors of tomorrow. By welcoming them into a professional environment early, we hope to give them the confidence, skills, and musical instincts they will carry throughout their careers.
To learn more about the Alma Scholars, visit our Scholars page, or get in touch if you are interested in joining the programme.