Applications set to close for organ scholarship

08 Feb 2013

By Robert Hiini

Saint Mary’s Cathedral music director Jacinta Jakovcevic says even she is surprised at the opportunity the F J Larner Organ Scholarship represents for serious young pianists and organists.

With applications set to close on February 21, Ms Jakovcevic will soon be auditioning applicants who have met the scholarship’s age (14-21) and proficiency requirements (minimum 6th Grade piano).

“It’s a wonderful opportunity. The successful applicant gets to practise on $1.5M worth of organ, twice a week, at least,” Ms Jakovcevic told The Record.

“They will also experience the Hobday chancel organ and the grand Dodd organ. How many people have a choice like that?”

The successful applicant will have lessons with Ms Jakovcevic and will bear the title ‘Organ Scholar’, with the possibility of renewing the scholarship annually, for anywhere up to three years.

The organ scholar will also be required to learn the role of the organist in enriching liturgical celebrations, and will be expected to play for Novena evenings, once a month, and particular services as directed by the music director.

“It’s not just playing concert pieces fabulously, there are a lot of other skills that go into being a good Catholic musician,” Mr Jakovcevic said.

“They will also get to work with the Cathedral Choir. It’s important for them to experience different aspects of liturgy and be able to function well as musicians in liturgy.”

The skills the scholarship will impart are, in the long term, not only intended to be shared at the Cathedral, but may be utilised by the scholar at their local parish.

The scholarship is named after Perth-born organ builder John Larner who was St Mary’s technician for the Dodd organ from 1974 to 2006.

For more information or to apply for the F J Larner scholarship, contact 9223 1377 or cathedral.music@perthcatholic.org.au.