The Courses
The Rodolfus Foundation Junior Choral Courses provide children aged 8-15 with the opportunity to experience choral singing at a high level. Under the guidance of accomplished musicians, the young singers explore a wide range of repertoire, performing traditional four-part choral works and pieces specially arranged for changing voices, as well as some lighter repertoire.
Overview
The Junior Choral Courses offer a welcoming environment for children aged 8-15. Throughout the week, participants engage in a variety of musical activities, including full choir rehearsals and consort group workshops. Led by our experienced and accomplished tutors, the young singers work on an exciting mix of repertoire, ranging from well known choral works to music tailored to both higher voices and those with changing voices.
- RExperienced musical and pastoral team
- RExplore a variety of music in full choir and small groups
- RPerform for family & friends at the end of the week
- RMake lifelong friendships with like-minded singers
Eligibility & age groups
The Junior Choral Courses are open to children (boys and girls) aged 8 to 15, up to and including year 10. There are no prerequisites or prior singing experience required to join—just a love for music and a passion for singing. Whether you are a beginner or already have some choral experience, these courses provide a space for all young voices, including lower voices and changing voices, to sing and enjoy a week of music making.
What to expect
While music is the central focus, the course also ensures plenty of time for social games and quieter or calmer activities. The highlight of the week is the final concert, where the students perform for family and friends what they have been working on.
For more information, check out our ‘What it’s like’ page, click here.
Upcoming junior courses
Course 1
Saturday 1st August – Thursday 6th August 2026
Winchester College, College St, Winchester SO23 9NA directed by James Bartlett and Charlotte Corderoy
FAQs
How old do I need to be?
To come on a Junior Choral Course you should be aged between 8 (in year 3) and 15 (in year 10).
What time does the course start and finish?
The timings for the Choral Courses are different this year.
You should arrive between 11am and 11:30am on the first day, and the final day will conclude between 5pm and 6pm.
Do I need to attend the whole course?
Yes, full attendance is expected. Singers should be available for each day of the course and should not plan to arrive late or leave early.
Do I need to audition?
There are no auditions for any of our courses; all we ask for is enthusiasm and a love of singing.
Are meals and accommodation included?
The course is fully residential, so everything is included.
My voice is changing. Can I still join a course?
Yes, absolutely! We run a bespoke programme for those with changing voices. Check out our interview with the director of this new programme, Binath Philomin.
Do you offer bursaries?
Yes, bursaries are available for those who may not be able to afford the cost of a course, and you can apply for one as part of your application for a place on the course. You can read more about the bursary process in the tab below.
When can I apply?
Applications open in mid January 2026. Click on the courses above for more information and booking.
How can I contact the Rodolfus Foundation?
Head to the contact page to send us a message.
How to apply for a bursary
We are committed to making our choral courses accessible to as many young singers as possible. If you need financial support to attend one of our courses, you can apply for a bursary through our means-tested system. Below is some guidance to help you through the application process.
Who can apply for a bursary?
Anyone is welcome to apply for a bursary whose household income is below £65,000 (or the combined income of both parents is below this amount). Our bursaries are awarded based on financial need, and the amount awarded is calculated on a sliding scale, which is means-tested. The sliding scale is used as a guide and each application is considered. Please click here for more information.
How do I apply?
Begin by registering for a place on your chosen course. When prompted, select ‘yes’ to apply for a bursary and we will send you the online application form. You can choose to pay an optional £10 refundable deposit when registering. If you sing with one of our partner organisations, please let us know when you apply – there will be a box to tick on the registration. There may be a different pathway to being awarded a bursary if you do.
Do I need to financially commit to the place on the course before knowing the outcome of the bursary?
A small fully refundable deposit is required to reserve the place on the course. Once the bursaries have been awarded, a plan is put in place to pay the remainder.
What information do I need to provide when applying?
We will ask for detailed financial information to assess your eligibility for a bursary. This includes:
- Whether you are receiving free school meals (for state school students) or are on a bursary (for private school students).
- Household financial details, including the income of those who live with the singer (such as parents or guardians). If parents or guardians are separated, we may require financial information from both.
- Information about the number of other dependants in the household.
- Current employment details for all parents or guardians, if applicable.
Do I need to submit a reference?
Yes, we ask for a reference from someone who knows the singer well. This could be a music teacher or another staff member from their school who can speak to the singer’s musical ability and commitment.
Do I have to live in the UK to apply?
Bursaries are only available to singers living in the UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands.
How much will I receive?
Depending on your financial situation, bursary awards cover between 10% and 100% of the course fees.
Will everyone who applies receive a bursary?
We do our best to offer support to as many singers as possible. However, we cannot guarantee that every applicant will receive the full bursary they need. We strongly encourage you to explore other external funding options as well, which may offer additional financial assistance. You can find more information about these options in the external funding tab below.
If you have any further questions about the application process or need additional information, please get in touch.
External funding
At the Rodolfus Foundation, we are committed to making our choral courses accessible to all singers, regardless of financial background. We are pleased to offer generous bursaries on a means-tested basis to help cover the costs of attending our courses.
Other External Funds to Consider
In addition to applying for a bursary from the Rodolfus Foundation, there are several external funds that may offer further financial support. Please remember that applying to external funds does not prevent you from applying for a Rodolfus Foundation bursary. In fact, we encourage you to explore these options in case they are applicable to your situation.
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Young Sounds UK
Supporting talented young people from low income families, helping them to overcome financial and social barriers. You can apply at any time so take a look at their website for more information. Please note – it can take up to 12 weeks to hear back from Young Sounds UK about your application. Please apply sooner rather than later! -
Young Sounds UK – Regional Opportunities
Young Sounds UK have a great source of local opportunities to browse through. You may find a local fund in your town or county that you can look into. -
National Youth Arts Trust
For singers aged 12-25, bursaries are granted to talented young people who can’t afford to access opportunities in the arts. Applications for bursaries open several times a year. -
Miss E.B. Wrightson’s Charitable Trust
This trust aims to benefit those of secondary school age (Year 7) to 18 years. Reviews are conducted twice a year, with deadlines at 1st February and 1st September. -
Future Talent
Future Talent aims to support, develop and listen to the needs and aspirations of gifted young musicians who present challenges to their musical development. They are currently closed for applications but they will open again in 2026. -
Christine Brown Trust
Anyone under the age of 19 can apply from this trust, but they do prioritise applicants from Yorkshire.
Important Information on External Funds
While we encourage you to apply for these external opportunities, please note that we cannot assist with the application process for these funds. You will need to apply directly to each organisation following their guidelines and deadlines.
We will be making some changes to our bursary process this year. As a result, we may be able to award bursaries earlier in the year than in previously. Because of this, we strongly recommend submitting your application as early as possible.
We look forward to receiving your applications and welcoming you to one of our choral courses.
If you have any questions about the Rodolfus Foundation bursaries, feel free to contact us.