Youth Choral Scholarship Scheme

Choral Scholarships are offered to people between the ages of 16 and 25 who are invited to apply on our online form.  

Read about our past Choral Scholars and the experiences they had with Dyfed Choir.

What is Côr Dyfed Choir?

The Dyfed Choir was founded in 1967 and has earned a reputation as one of the major four-part choirs in Wales. The choir rehearses every Tuesday, in term time, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the Bloomfield House Community Centre, Redstone Road, Narberth, Pembrokeshire. It performs four or more concerts a year in various venues, including St Davids Cathedral. The choir has a wide choral repertoire that ranges from A Cappella pieces to large-scale works with orchestral accompaniment. Through their Youth Choral Scholarship Scheme (YCSS) the Dyfed Choir is offering an exciting opportunity to young people who want singing to be an important part of their lives, either as an amateur or professional.

• To provide opportunities for young singers to perform a wide range of musical works with the choir.
• To encourage and mentor talented young singers.
• To enable young singers to help fulfil the choir’s core aim; which is to foster and promote the education of the general public in the appreciation of choral music.

What does the Youth Choral Scholarship offer?

• Free annual membership of a high quality choir, worth over £150.00.
• The experience of rehearsing and performing a wide choral repertoire under the baton of professional music directors.
• Regular free tuition up to a maximum of 10 lessons with qualified singing teachers.
• A certificate to add to portfolios or CVs.

Who is eligible to be a Youth Choral Scholar?

Any singer aged between 16 and 25 and who resides in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire or Ceredigion.

What is the procedure to apply for a scholarship? ​

1. Complete an application form and return it, along with a letter of recommendation from your singing/ music teacher (if you have one) to: Choir Secretary, Hannah Jones, Bronant, Login, Whitland SA34 0UX  

2. Attend an interview and audition with the choir's Music Director. Auditions and interviews take place throughout the year.  

3. If selected, then sign a contract with the choir that runs for one Academic year.  

What is the contractual obligation to those awarded a Youth Choral Scholarship?

• To abide by the choir's code of conduct
• To regularly attend rehearsals and concerts.
• To ensure a favourable report from the singing teacher and Music Director.
• To participate in publicity arising from the award.

Past Choral Scholars

Lily Thompson – Youth Choral Scholar 2018/19

Joining the Dyfed Choir as a choral scholar this year has offered me so many brilliant opportunities, such as improving my sight singing, introducing me to my new singing teacher and letting me perform in many beautiful locations. My favourite concert from the year has to be the summer concert, in which we performed Rutter's The Sprig of Thyme.

Tomos Williams-Mason YCSS Choral Scholar 2022-2023

Through my vocal lessons I have strengthened my personal voice and, in turn, my voice as part of the choir.

Working with Luke as my teacher, I’ve been able to widen my repertoire, covering not just work performed in choir, but also styles from Sondheim to Purcell. I have learnt that the ability to play with one’s voice with guidance, as well as looking at technical breathing and support allows the development of a more rounded and natural voice- that I can feel getting better with every lesson. I have found the cross-genre working practice extremely beneficial to help me find my voice.

Thank you.

Georgia Gillespie Choral Scholar 2017 – 2018

Côr Dyfed Choir Youth Choral Scholar 2017 - 2018, Georgia Gillespie, pictured here with Jane Hodges Choir Chair and Oliver Waterer Music Director.

I was very fortunate to be offered a choral scholarship by Côr Dyfed in September 2017. Since then I have performed both the Vierne and the Langlais Messe Solennelle, Surrexit a Mortuis by Widor and a successful charity Christmas carol concert in support of The Samaritans. Côr Dyfed has shown me tremendous support by not only giving me the great opportunity to sing incredible music, but by introducing me to my current singing teacher Rachel Hickman. I am currently working towards my grade 8 singing exam with Rachel and hope to further my career in music and one day perform and teach professionally as a soprano.

Ben Richards Choral Scholar 2016-2017

Being a choral scholar with the Dyfed Choir has been a fulfilling and challenging experience for me vocally. I joined the choir with the aim of expanding my repertoire into bigger choral works in preparation for my university studies, and I’ve very much enjoyed performing works such as Handel Messiah. This evening’s performance of Verdi Requiem will be a real highlight for me this year ( July 2017 ) Most of all however, I’ve enjoyed the company of other Dyfed Choir members, who have welcomed me with open arms and have supported me through my time in the choir. I really do feel like a member of the Dyfed Choir family.

Pictured: Valero Public Affairs Analyst William James (right) presenting a cheque to Chair of Côr Dyfed Choir Sue Russill (left) and previous choral scholars Scarlett Humphreys, Ceira Wood and Ben Richards.

Choral Scholars Elinor Jenkins & Calum Daniels 2015

"Joining the Dyfed Choir as a Choral Scholar and singing brilliant new music has improved my sight reading. I have been singing bass instead of alto which has helped me develop my baritone range as I wouldn’t have had this experience without having the opportunity to sing with such a large choir.

I have enjoyed meeting new people and being part of what feels more like a family of singers than a choir. I would definitely recommend the Dyfed Choral Scholarship experience to anyone who wants to sing a wider range of music which needs bigger choirs." - Calum Daniels

Calum Daniels attended Ysgol Dewi Sant and was a Junior Choral Scholar at St Davids Cathedral. He was awarded a Choral Scholaships at Lincoln and Hereford Cathedral and now reading Vocal Studies at The Birmingham Conservatoire.

Pictured: Choral Scholar, Calum Daniels, receiving his certificate from Kathy Sleigh, July 2015

Pictured: Choral Scholar, Elinor, receiving her certificate from Kathy Sleigh, July 2015