Choral awards
Members of Caius Choir include undergraduates and postgraduates studying at Caius, plus some at other colleges. Caius undergraduates in the choir are known as Choral Scholars having applied through the Cambridge University Choral Award Scheme - an official appointment made by the College to those who have already obtained an academic offer from Caius. Postgraduates coming to study at Caius can also apply to join the choir.
The choir is open to members of other Cambridge Colleges (undergraduates and postgraduates) as Volunteers. Although they do not receive the standard University Choral Award, they receive all the benefits of a choral scholar (including singing lessons) plus three free meals in Caius Hall each week during term time.
Each year about 7-9 students join the choir spread across the voices. An informal audition can be arranged at any time during the year by sending a message directly to the Director of Music, Matthew Martin
For more information about the awards at Caius, please view our Choral Awards brochure
Open Days
A good way to help you choose which college to apply to is to attend either or both of the intercollegiate Choral Awards Open Days. At the Open Day held on 3 May 2025 you will have a chance to hear some of the choirs in action and to meet some Directors of Music. Full details will become available on the University’s Choral Awards web pages. An informal audition can be arranged at any time during the year by sending a message to the Director of Music, Matthew Martin. He is more than happy to hear prospective candidates for the choir at any time.
Vacancies
The choir has 24 singers. The make-up is in the range of 8-9 sopranos, 4-5 altos (male and female), 4-5 tenors and 4-6 basses. Each year about 7-9 new choral scholars or volunteers join the choir spread across all voices and there are often vacancies. If you are unsure which voice part you should sing, you can discuss this with the Director of Music when you come for an informal audition.
Preparing for an Audition
Vocal potential and a good ear are two qualities being looked for at the audition. You should prepare a piece to sing that you enjoy performing and that feels technically comfortable. Some applicants may be more experienced sight-readers than others, and this is taken into account as part of the application process. It is worth bearing in mind that we are looking for potential rather than a finished product - you should not be put off applying if you feel you have limited experience of singing in choirs or sight-reading. No particular vocal characteristics are expected or prioritised. Some applicants will have had vocal training and taken grade exams in singing, yet others may have had relatively little vocal training and experience; this factor is also taken into account during the auditions.
Applicants for Music
If you are applying to study Music at Caius you will also be able to discuss this aspect of your application if you visit the College in advance for an informal audition with the Director of Music. If you would like to discuss any aspect of the academic course, please contact the Director of Studies in Music, Jeremy Summerly.