Organ and Choral Scholars
The PLT has been proud to support the development and progression of the choir and music at St. Wulfram’s. The benefits of choral singing for young people, particularly in terms of personal development and well-being, are widely recognised and remain key principles underpinning the work of both the Music Department and the PLT.
From the outset, we have supported tuition for individual organ scholars and choral scholars, enabling them to develop their musical skills and, for some, to progress to further training or pursue careers in music. The scholarships have been supported by the Friends of Cathedral Music and the Ouseley Trust.
Organ scholars
The organ scholarships started in 2010, and these funded tuition in the first stages of training. Those who showed promise moved on to scholarships provided by the RSCM for 2 years and some have an opportunity for a fully funded scholarship from the Young Organ Scholars Trust.
Former organ scholars include Joseph Beech (currently sub-Organist of Durham Cathedral) and Matilda Johnston, who is studying the organ at the Royal Academy of Music.
Choral scholarships
Since 2016 The Trust has funded choral scholarships for young people in the youth choir. The purpose of the scholarships is to intended to support their development as singers and broaden their education as musicians. Some have gone on to study music at university and some sing professionally.
Updates on some of our past scholars.
Joseph was Organ Scholar at St. Wulfram's for 2 years, having been a chorister in the choir before. The trust subsidised his organ tuition and in September 2012 he came to the end of his secondary education at the King's School, Grantham and moved on to the prestigious Organ Scholarship at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The trust wished him well at his final Choral Evensong in Grantham on 22nd July 2012, when it presented him with the Bärenreiter edition of the complete organ works of J. S. Bach. In 2017, he graduated with first-class honours from the Royal Academy of Music having won most of the organ prizes. During his studies, Joseph held further organ scholarships at the London Oratory and St Paul’s Cathedral. He then became Assistant Master of the Music of St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh, before taking up his current appointment as Sub-Organist of Durham Cathedral in 2019, where he is the principal service organist and assistant director of music. Joseph was elected to Associateship of the Royal Academy of Music in 2022 in recognition of his distinguished contribution to the music profession.
Matilda Johnson - Organ Scholar
Matilda was a Senior Organ Scholar, here at St Wulfram's. She holds a Bachelor of Music (Hons) from the Royal Academy of Music and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts there, supported by multiple scholarships including the Elizabeth and George Wells Organ Scholarship. She serves as John Birch Organ Scholar at All Saints Margaret Street (2024–26), and as Organist at St Paul’s & St Paul’s Prep School and St Anthony’s School for Boys, alongside a portfolio of peripatetic teaching.
Matilda has been appointed Organ Scholar at the Royal Hospital Chelsea (2026–27). She is an Associate of the Royal College of Organists and holds the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music. She performs regularly as a solo recitalist across the UK, including St Michael Cornhill, Keble College Oxford, and St George’s Hanover Square. She enjoys collaborating with musicians, including her flute and organ duo Silver Pipework and with the Purcell Singers at Sinfonia Smith Square celebrating Arvo Pärt.
Samuel Davie - Choral Scholar
Samuel Davie was a chorister at St Wulfram’s from the age of seven. He remains the youngest chorister at the church to win the RSCM Gold Award and served as Head Boy Chorister. Following vocal change, he held Choral Scholarships supported by the church and Philip Lank Trust. In Autumn 2023 Samuel left Grantham to study music at Durham University, where he was also awarded a Choral Scholarship to sing in Durham Cathedral Choir. Samuel has now completed his studies and scholarship in Durham and is currently working for the University, with the goal of pursuing postgraduate vocal training.
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