Chapel Choir Corruption
Oxford's ecclesiastical roots are well known and well manifest. Gowns, spires aplenty, regular bells, Latin graces: all are largely secularised symbols of a past Christian exclusivity. In its musical life, however, the continuation of chapel choir culture is still blatantly oppressive. Here are a few reasons why. Firstly, the matter of organ and choral scholarships. Most colleges at Oxford offer these. Organ and choral scholarships reward talent at - you guessed it - singing and playing the organ with money, sometimes hundreds of pounds a year, and other perks, such as free lunches. As well as the face value of the scholarships, colleges pour in thousands of pounds into these scholars' development, hiring part- and full-time directors of music to oversee training and services. With an immense amount of resources thrown their way, Oxford's organ and choral scholars are primed for leaving university as some of the best-connected young performers in the country. Of course, eac