Choral Scholars

Islington Choral Society is proud to run a Choral Scholarship programme, appointing four Choral Scholars each year to provide musical support for our members at rehearsals, play a leading role in our concerts and join us on tour.

Apply for be a Choral Scholar for our 26/27 season

We are now looking to appoint SATB Scholars for Islington Choral Society’s next season. £1,575 pa; closing date: 3rd July.

  • Islington Choral Society seeks to appoint four Choral Scholars to play a leading role in its 2026/27 season. ICS enjoys a large, friendly and enthusiastic membership of around 150 non-auditioned singers of all abilities. The choir performs a wide range of repertoire, from the renaissance to the present day, with concerts regularly involving professional orchestras and soloists. Choral scholars will provide musical support to choir members and play a significant role in rehearsals and concerts.

    Weekly attendance is expected at Tuesday rehearsals, from 7.30pm t0 9.30pm at Highbury Roundhouse, London N5 1XB. Term dates: Sep 8 to 15 Dec 2026; Jan 5 to 17 April 2027; 27 April to 6 July 2027

    Compulsory attendance at concerts on 28 Nov 28, 17 Dec 2026; 10 April, 3 July 2027

    Opportunities:

    • Scholar recitals take place each term, for which modest additional fees are paid.

    • Step-out and solo opportunities in rehearsals and concerts, where appropriate.

    • Termly coaching and mentoring sessions from ICS music staff, and external collaborations.

    Requirements:

    • Applicants should have a strong voices and be able to lead a section with confidence.

    • A proficient level of sight-reading is required.

    • We are looking for sociable, helpful, proactive singers with a professional attitude.

    Applications:

    Please email a CV and recording by Friday 3 July to Kim Randall: chair@islingtonchoralsociety.co.uk

    Auditions will be held throughout July and August 2026.

Our Current Choral Scholars

Elisabeth Cullen

Elisabeth is studying Voice with Mary Nelson at the Royal Academy of Music and is in demand as a soloist and recitalist. She was highly commended in the 2024 Michael Head Song Prize. She is conductor of Taplow Children’s Choir and Boys’ Choir, is Solo Cantor at St Mary’s Church, Cadogan Street, London, sings with Chelmsford Cathedral Choir and works with the National Youth Choir.

Isabel Benson

Isabel was a Choral Scholar at Girton College, Cambridge. She sang with the University Chamber Choir and the University Symphony Chorus, and was Alto Scholar at St Matthew’s Church, Cambridge. Last year, she studied at Morley Opera School, and sang Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro with the Tuscan Opera Singers. She is now studying for a Master’s at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Zeshaan Shain

Zeshaan is a classically-trained tenor from London, currently studying under Neil Baker. He has a first-class degree in Vocal Performance from Trinity Laban, and has studied at Morley Opera School. He has sung for The Opera Makers and the Black British Classical Foundation. He leads performance showcases in Barbershop and Close Harmony at Trinity Laban.

Sam Gray

Sam is a bass-baritone from Birmingham, now based in London. He was a Choral Scholar at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he also conducted both the University Chamber Choir and the Opera Society. He is a composer and arranger, and currently works as a school music assistant, as well as being a pastoral carer on residential courses run by the National Youth Choir.

Our Previous Choral Scholars

Alexandra Cooper

Alexandra is studying for her Masters of Performance at the Royal College of Music, under tenor Tim Evans-Jones. She is the Stephen Catto Memorial Scholar. She has a Bachelor of Music from the RCM, under soprano Patricia Rozario, and was the Douglas and Hilda Simmonds Scholar.

Megan Webb

Megan started singing at the age of 15 with Berkshire Youth Choir, Rodolfus Choir and as a Choral Scholar at All Saints' Church, Wokingham. She has a BA in Music from the University of Cambridge, and sang in several collegiate choirs, including The Choir of Queens' College.

Roshan Patel

Roshan is a London-based tenor who began his singing career as a chorister at Guildford Cathedral. He went on to read Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, where he sang with The Choir of Trinity College under Stephen Layton.

Luke Muschialli

Luke is a recent graduate of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, with an MPhil in Population Health Sciences. He has a BSc in Medical Sciences from University College London. Luke was a choral scholar at St Catharine’s, and sang in The Bach Choir and the Fourth Choir.