The Director of the Choir, Dr Philip Matthias, will contact all families of applicants after the closing date to explain the process and organize an audition time.

The present Cathedral Choir was founded in 1939 when 20 boys from the Vienna Mozart Boys' Choir were stranded in Australia at the outbreak of the Second World War. The choir stands proudly in the great tradition of Catholic Church music, its repertoire ranging from Gregorian chant to compositions by contemporary composers.

St Patrick's Cathedral Choir scholarships are offered by the Archdiocese of Melbourne in conjunction with St Kevin's College, Toorak, to support the liturgical music program of St Patrick's Cathedral. The scholarships are offered in three auditioned stages:

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for these scholarships, boys must be Catholic and be able to enrol in Year 5 at St. Kevin's College in the year in which the scholarship is taken up. If auditioning in Year 9, boys must be Catholic and be able to enrol in Year 10 at St. Kevin's College in the year in which the scholarship is taken up. 

Selection

Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of the submitted audition material and students must satisfy normal entrance requirements at the College.

Stage 1: An audition which is open to Year 4 boys from any school, including SKC, for joining the Cathedral Choir in Year 5. The scholarship to be held until the end of Year 7.

Stage 2: Auditioning near the end of Year 7, for SKC students to continue in the Cathedral Choir in Year 8. The scholarship to be held until the end of Year 9.

Stage 3: An audition for Year 9 students from any school, including SKC, for continuing or joining the Cathedral Choir in Year 10. The scholarship to be held until the end of Year 12.

Alongside their involvement in the musical and spiritual life of the Cathedral, scholarship holders also contribute as students in the Senior School to the musical activities of the College.

The scholarship scheme provides an opportunity for boys with appropriate musical talent to receive an academic schooling of the highest quality at one of Melbourne’s finest Catholic schools alongside an exceptional musical education both at the Cathedral and at St Kevin's College.

Duration of Scholarships

The duration of scholarships is subject to the audition processes noted above and an annual review of musical and academic performance and the demonstration of the appropriate level of commitment and participation in the Cathedral Choir. Hence, the duration of scholarships is as follows:

Stage 1 Scholarship: Scholarship Years 5 – 7

Stage 2 Scholarship: Scholarship Year 8 – 9

Stage 3 Scholarship: Years 10 – 12.

After leaving the treble line of the Cathedral Choir, or if joining the choir in Year 10, Cathedral Choristers are required as an integral part of the scholarship scheme to belong to the St Kevin’s Senior Choir or other approved musical activity at the College. (see below: Financial Terms for Successful Applicants).

Requirements of Choral Scholarship Holders:

Members of the Cathedral Choir are required to be fully involved in the activities of the choir from the beginning of Term 1 until Christmas Day each year, and including the annual choir camp held prior Easter each year.

• Treble scholarship holders (usually boys in Years 5 - 7) are required to attend regular rehearsals and services normally at the following times or at alternative times to be announced*:
  • Sunday morning rehearsal and Mass at the Cathedral.
  • Two mornings (Wednesdays & Thursdays before school) and one afternoon (after school on Fridays) at St Kevin’s.
  • Occasional Thursday evening rehearsals at the Cathedral.
• Alto, Tenor and Bass scholarship holders (usually boys in Years 8 - 12) who continue to sing in the Cathedral Choir attend the following regular rehearsals and services:
  • Sunday morning rehearsal and Mass at the Cathedral.
  • Thursday evening rehearsals (currently held at St Kevin’s, although the venue may change to the Cathedral in 2022).
  • Altos only also rehearse Friday afternoons at St. Kevin’s.
  • Weekly rehearsals of St Kevin’s Senior Choir or approved alternative activity. In addition to the above regular requirements boys in the Cathedral Choir are expected to attend special rehearsals and services as listed on the choir calendar, or as required from time to time. These would include services during Holy Week, ordinations and other special occasions.
    * Please note- the rehearsal days are currently being reviewed for 2022, and may change slightly to the above information.

Financial Terms for Successful Applicants

The Scholarship provides part remission of Tuition Fees at St Kevin's College:

• The normal remission of tuition fees for Cathedral Trebles, and for Altos, Tenors and Basses who continue in the Cathedral Choir is 50%.
• Altos, Tenors and Basses who, as a result of the annual review process no longer sing in the Cathedral Choir, but continue to belong to the St Kevin's Senior Choir or approved alternative will continue to receive a discount at a lower rate at the Principal's discretion. Altos, Tenors and Basses who, as a result of the annual review process no longer sing in the Cathedral Choir and who choose not to belong to the St Kevin’s Senior Choir or approved alternative will retain their place at the College and families will be responsible for full payment of fees.
• Families are expected to pay any optional associated charges and the Capital Levy. Families of successful applicants who receive a Choral Scholarship will be responsible to pay St Kevin's College the difference between the Total of Tuition Fees and Compulsory Associated Charges and the Scholarship granted.

Fees

A registration fee does not apply for Choral Scholarships.