Sidney Sussex has a junior and senior Organ Scholar; there are two student organists in residence in any given year.

Organ Scholars

Organ Scholars are provided with an annual stipend, comfortable rooms with a piano, and the costs of organ and singing lessons are borne by the College. On a daily basis the Organ Scholars have access to the 2016 Flentrop organ, the Taylor & Boody chamber organ, the Mietke harpsichord and the Steinway Model D grand piano. They also receive an annual stipend in line with the Cambridge University Organ Scholarships scheme and free organ and singing lessons. Other perks include free national and international tours, Choir formals, and a number of social events throughout the academic year. For further information, please contact the Director of Music or visit the University of Cambridge's Organ Scholarship webpage.

Apply for an Organ Scholarship

You can access full information about applying for an Organ Scholarship on the University website

Senior Organ Scholar

Francis Fowler

Francis Fowler

Francis Fowler, Sidney’s senior organ scholar, is a second-year undergraduate reading Music. Francis was educated at Warwick School where he regularly accompanied services, both in school and elsewhere such as St Mary’s, Warwick and Exeter College, Oxford. In addition, he played for Sunday choral services at his local parish church, St Mary the Virgin, Lapworth. He played the organ part in a school production of Britten’s cantata St Nicholas and has given recitals around his local area.

Junior Organ Scholar

Samuel Kemp

Samuel Kemp

Samuel Kemp is the junior organ scholar of Sidney and is reading for a degree in Music. After primary education at Catholic school, he attended the Purcell School for Young Musicians in Bushey, Hertfordshire, from 2015-2023. Whilst there he studied the organ with Gerard Brooks at the Central Hall, Westminster. During sixth-form, he was organ scholar of All Saints Church, Leighton Buzzard, where he played for Sunday services and regularly directed the choir. In 2023, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists (FRCO) at the age of 17. During his gap-year, he was the senior organ scholar of HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court, where he regularly accompanied the choir under the direction of Carl Jackson. He took up the post in September 2023. Sam has given recitals in venues in London and in the counties of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. He currently studies the organ with Stephen Farr. 

Sam is an active composer, having written sacred music featured for two years running at the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music (LFCCM). Other organ and instrumental works of his have been played at York Minster and at multiple church venues in London including the Guild Church of St. Katherine Cree.