The bursary is awarded in memory of Dr David Fussey, the late Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich, who greatly enjoyed singing in choirs.
It is available to all students who audition successfully to join the University of Greenwich Choir.
The bursary is worth £1,000 per year for up to three years. Winners will be expected to perform a number of duties.
University Choir
The University of Greenwich Choir is a 70-strong chorus made up of students, staff, alumni and friends of the University of Greenwich. The choir rehearses on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm during term-time on the Greenwich campus, and gives public performances throughout the year including at the University Carol Services and in large choral-orchestral concerts, as well as less formal settings.
The choir sings a wide variety of music including classical, folk, pop, jazz and musical theatre. There is no charge to join, and there are no formal auditions. We welcome those of all standards to our friendly and ambitious choir!
For more information, please email choir@greenwich.ac.uk
Applications for the David Fussey Choral Exhibition 2026/2027 are now OPEN.
Please see bottom of page for details.
Upcoming Performances
Informal autumn concert
Monday 26th October
Tickets are not required
University Carol Service
Wednesday 25th November
Old Royal Naval College Chapel, 6pm and 8pm services
Tickets are free and will be available from the end of October
Rehearsal Dates 2026-27
Rehearsals take place on Monday evenings from 6.30-8.30pm in the Queen Anne building, Greenwich Campus.
Autumn term 2026
Monday 28th September, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 5th October, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 12th October, 6:30-8:30pm Choral Exhibitioner auditions
Monday 19th October, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 26th October, 6:30-8:30pm Informal performance, rehearse 5:45-6:25pm, performance 6:45-7:45pm
Monday 2nd November, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 9th November, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 16th November, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 23rd November, 6:30-8:30pm
Wednesday 25th November University carol service, services at 6-7pm, and 8-9pm. Choir arrive at 4:15pm.
Winter break
Spring term 2027
Monday 11th January, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 18th January, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 25th January, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 1st February, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 8th February, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 15th February, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 22nd February, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 1st March, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 8th March, 6:30-8:30pm
SPRING CONCERT – weekend of 13/14th (may be moved to 20/21st March - SUBJECT TO CHANGE).
Spring break
Summer term 2027
Monday 19th April, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 26th April, 6:30-8:30pm
Wednesday 5th May, 6:30-8:30pm (Monday 3rd May is a bank holiday, so we will
have no rehearsal)
Monday 10th May, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 17th May, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 24th May, 6:30-8:30pm
Wednesday 2nd June, 6:30-8:30pm (Monday 31st May is a bank holiday, so we will have no rehearsal)
SUMMER CONCERT – Friday 4th June (SUBJECT TO CHANGE).
Summer break
2026-2027 dates will be posted in August 2026.
Music Team
Music Director: Olivia Shotton
Olivia is an award-winning Conductor and singer based in London. She conducts several student and professional ensembles, in addition to singing professionally in the UK and abroad.
Olivia completed her MA in Choral Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music, where she received a distinction and was awarded a ‘DipRam’ for outstanding performance in her final recital, in addition to the Sir Thomas Armstrong Choral Leadership Prize. Following this, she was appointed as a Fellow at the Academy, conducting a series of concerts.
Alongside the University of Greenwich Choir, Olivia is the Founder/Conductor of professional ensemble The CONVENTional Project, performing music from the Italian convents of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. She is Conductor of the University of London Chamber Choir, and Assistant Conductor/Chorus Master for Handel’s ‘Giustino’ at the Royal Opera House (2025). Other recent engagements include competing as a Grand Finalist in the London International Choral Conducting Competition, Assistant Conductor for Puccini’s ‘La Bohème’ (Longborough Festival Opera), Conductor for Handel’s ‘Messiah’ (The Merry Opera Company), Assistant Chorus Master for Mahler ‘Symphony no. 3’ (Royal Academy of Music), Assistant Musical Director for ‘Hansel and Gretel’ (British Youth Opera), and semi-finalist in the DIMA International Choral Conducting Competition (18th Edition).
Olivia has continued to develop her conducting through the RPS Women Conductors ‘Advance’ course (2023), Glover-Edwards Conducting Programme (2023), Genesis Sixteen Conducting Scholarship (2022), Dartington International Summer School Advanced Conductor programme (2022), and as a Fellow of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain (2022).
As a singer, Olivia is an Associate Artist with Tenebrae, and holds a regular position at St Peter ad Vincula in the Tower of London, and has led workshops on behalf of The Sixteen, VOCES8 Foundation, Tenebrae, The Bach Choir and London Youth Choirs.
Accompanist: Phoebe Tak Man Chow
Phoebe Tak Man Chow is a London-based organist, repetiteur, and choir director. She has held positions at St Martin-in-the-Fields (London), St Fin Barre’s Cathedral (Ireland), and Emanuel School (London), and she currently maintains a busy freelance schedule working on a wide variety of musical projects. Phoebe trained at the Royal College of Music and has also pursued studies in the Netherlands, Germany, and France, gaining a broad and rich musical perspective. As a performer, Phoebe has appeared in broadcasts and recordings for BBC Radio and Classic FM.
Outside of music, Phoebe enjoys cooking and dressmaking. She is delighted to be working with Olivia and the University of Greenwich Choir this September and looks forward to creating many happy memories together.
The David Fussey Choral Exhibition
Applications are for the 2026/27 David Fussey Choral Exhibition are now open!
The David Fussey Choral Exhibition is a bursary worth £1,000 awarded in memory of Dr David Fussey, the late Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich, who greatly enjoyed choral music. Up to five students are awarded a bursary each year and recipients are expected to take a leading role in the management of the University Choir, including organising events, maintaining the choir mailing list, organising stewards for concerts and setting equipment up for rehearsals. A minimum of 75% attendance of choir rehearsals is mandatory. Applicants are expected to be organised, committed, be strong singers and good team players.
Applicants should complete and return this form by Tuesday 6th October 2026 at 11:59pm.
Auditions will take place on the evening of Monday 12th October. If you are invited to audition, you will perform a piece of your choice, you will be given a selection of musicianship and vocal exercises with the Musical Director, Olivia Shotton, and you will have a short conversation about your musical experience and why you would like to be considered for a Choral Exhibition.
Questions?
See our general terms and conditions.
If you would like further details about this bursary, please contact us.
We have a range of scholarships and bursaries available. See a full list.