Choral Scholars Program

Historic St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, founded in 1835, is one of the oldest continuous congregations in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. This year, 2025, marks the congregation’s 190th anniversary year! The church building itself has been rebuilt three times since the congregation’s inception. Currently, HSP has several active community outreach programs including:

  • Community Cupboard – A weekly drop-in program that operates throughout the winter months. Supplies food and clothing to those in need

  • Affordable Housing Project – In 2019 the congregation put forward a proposal, which has been approved, for an affordable housing project. The building will include 67 affordable housing units in an effort to help address the housing shortage in downtown Kitchener.

  • KW Foundation for Lutheran Education – Has been providing grant opportunities to local and Canadian educational institutions and projects.

About the Music Program at HSP Program
Throughout its extensive history, the church has been known for its music programming including church choir, Christmas Cantata’s (most recently in December 2024 at Centre in the Square), hosting various guest choirs and soloists, and a handbell choir.

About the Choral Scholars Program
The HSP church choir is central to the musical life at HSP. The choir currently consists of approximately 12 volunteer members of the congregation. As a choral scholar at HSP you will sing with the HSP Church choir and for special events/concerts as required. There will be solo opportunities and opportunity to rehearse and conduct the church choir for those interested in choral conducting. Rehearsals typically take place on Sunday mornings at 11:15am after the church service has concluded. The main responsibilities of a choral scholar include:

  • Self-directed learning and practice of their choral part

  • Serve as section leader, help build confidence within the choir section

  • Perform at all services/events in which the church choir is singing, and special events as required

  • It is expected that choral scholars participate in Christmas Eve and Easter services

  • Carry themselves professionally at all times including punctuality

Who is Eligible
The Choral Scholars program is open to residents of Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding areas who are in school full-time at a high school (Grade 11 or 12), or at a post-secondary institution, or in a gap year. A background in vocal/choral music in encouraged. It is not required that the student be majoring in music, rather we are looking for students passionate about choral music who wish to explore their interests further.

Remuneration
Choral scholars will be awarded a scholarship amount of $25/hour, to be paid at the completion of each school semester (December and April).

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS EXTENDED UNTIL MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22 AT MIDNIGHT.

Submit an Application: