Choral Scholar Program

The Trinity Church Choral Scholar Program constitutes a ministry of outreach to Marshall University and, through the provision of excellence in liturgical art, to the community at large. Since its inception in the 1940's the Choral Scholar Program has enriched the worship of Trinity Church as well as provided a fertile learning and spiritual experience for generations of young musicians, and more than a few have gone on to become members of the Episcopal Church.

Scholarships are awarded to vocally proficient students who are registered in good academic standing at Marshall University.

Choral Scholars sing at weekly rehearsals, the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service, special liturgies of the church year such as Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and extra services such as Advent Lessons and Carols and Evensongs.

Attendance at all required liturgies and their attendant rehearsals is mandatory. An excess of absences, regardless of cause, will be grounds for termination of the scholarship.

While it is our hope that Choral Scholars will find their personal spiritual journeys enriched by their work at Trinity, there are no expectations place upon them with respect to the doctrine or discipline of the Episcopal Church. However, the nature of Episcopal worship and Christian community life does require a certain level of decorum both within the services of the Church and in activities associated with them. Choral Scholars are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the aims of the Gospel.

The normal term of a scholarship is one academic year (September through May) and disbursements are made on this basis. The actual starting and ending dates will vary from year to year with the dates of Labor Day and the Feast of Pentecost.