Organ Scholarship

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

Samuel Kemp

Samuel Kemp is the senior 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 MVO. He took up the post there in September 2023. 

Alongside his work at Sidney, Sam is the organ scholar at the Catholic Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs in Cambridge where he plays for regular Sunday morning Sung Masses and Solemn Latin Masses outside of term. Sam has an active interest in early music, specialising in early English keyboard music and conducting performances of Monteverdi's 'L'Orfeo' in his second year. In addition, he sings with the Cambridge Early Music Consort. Sam has given and continues to give recitals at venues in London and Cambridge as well as in the counties of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. He studies the organ with Stephen Farr. Sam is also 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 and the Parish Church of St John-at-Hampstead.

Junior Organ Scholar

Edward Talbot-Ponsonby

Edward Talbot-Ponsonby is Sidney's junior organ scholar and is reading Engineering. He currently studies the organ with Stephen Farr. He was a 
chorister at New College, Oxford, under Robert Quinney from 2014 to 2020. During this time, the choir went on tour to Hungary, France, and the USA twice. During sixth form he was organ scholar to the Cathedral Singers of Christ Church, Oxford, where he played for eucharist and evensong services, as well as concerts. Edward was at Magdalen College School for secondary education and was school organist there, playing for services in Magdalen College, the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, and for a choir tour to France. He was also organ scholar for St Margaret's Church, Oxford.