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Salisbury Cathedral School Welcomes Second Griffiths Chapel Organ Scholar

Salisbury Cathedral School Welcomes Second Griffiths Chapel Organ Scholar

Salisbury Cathedral School has announced its second Griffiths Chapel Organ Scholar. Emma, age 10, was awarded the scholarship after a practical assessment and an interview with Susie Lamb, Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral School. Emma will commence her two-year scholarship programme in September 2024.

Susie says: ‘As Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral School, I am delighted to celebrate Emma's musical potential as demonstrated in her audition for the Griffiths Chapel Organ Scholarship. Emma's talent and promising musical abilities exemplify the vibrant spirit of our school's musical community. With her dedication and determination, I am confident that Emma will make significant strides in her musical journey. Congratulations, Emma.’

The Griffiths Chapel Organ Scholarship carries a 20% school fee remission, weekly organ lessons, and regular performance opportunities in the school Chapel and local churches, as well as the possibility of playing the famous Father Willis organ in Salisbury Cathedral. Emma will also benefit from the thriving music department at Salisbury Cathedral School with its many choirs and ensembles as well as an extensive range of instrumental lessons available.

Emma follows in the footsteps of the school’s first Griffiths Chapel Organ Scholar, Max, who joined Salisbury Cathedral School in September 2023. Like Max, Emma will enjoy organ lessons on the recently restored and refurbished Peter Collins Pipe Organ in the school chapel. The works to the instrument were completed in the summer of 2023.

In keeping with its commitment to fostering equal musical opportunities for both genders, the Pipe Dreams campaign specifically raised money to provide two scholarship places, one for a boy and one for a girl. This commitment echoes the school's historic endeavour, initiated in 1991, when seventeen girls pioneered the formation of the first girls’ Cathedral choir in the UK, operating on equal footing with the boys.

The establishment of these organ scholarships owes much to the generous support of Paul Griffiths and Joanna Marsh, who responded to the school’s Pipe Dreams campaign. Launched in May 2022, the campaign supported the refurbishment of the school’s Peter Collins pipe organ, safety works to the organ loft in the school chapel, and introduction of the new organ scholarships.