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 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
David Fussey Choral Exhibition
Applications are now OPEN for the 2025/26 David Fussey Choral Exhibition!
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. Applicants are expected to be strong singers and good team players. Please visit the Bursaries pages of the university website, or email choir@greenwich.ac.uk with any queries.
Applications must be submitted TUESDAY 7th OCTOBER at 11:59pm. The application form can be downloaded here. Auditions will be held on the evening of Monday 13th October 2025, and will involve performing a piece of your choice, a selection of musicianship and vocal exercises with the Musical Director, Olivia Shotton, and a short conversation about your musical experience and why you would like to be considered for a Choral Exhibition.
Upcoming Performances
Autumn concert
Monday 27th October, evening
University Carol Service
Tuesday 25th November Old Royal Naval College Chapel, 6pm and 8pm
Rehearsal Dates
Rehearsals take place on Monday evenings from 6.30-8.30pm in the Queen Anne building, Greenwich Campus.
Autumn term
Monday 22nd September, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 29th September, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 6th October, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 13th October, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 20th October, 6:30-8:30pm
Informal performance Monday 27th October, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 3rd November, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 10th November, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 17th November, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 24th November, 6:30-8:30pm
Tuesday 25th November University carol service
Winter break
Spring term 2026
Monday 19th January, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 29th January, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 26th January, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 2nd February, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 9th February, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 16th February, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 23rd February, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 2nd March, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 9th March, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 16th March 6:30-8:30pm
SPRING CONCERT – Sunday 22nd March (SUBJECT TO CHANGE).
Spring break
Summer term 2026
Monday 20th April, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 27th April, 6:30-8:30pm
Wednesday 6th May, 6:30-8:30pm (Monday 4th May is a bank holiday, so we will have no rehearsal)
Monday 11th May, 6:30-8:30pm
Monday 18th May, 6:30-8:30pm
Wednesday 27th May, 6:30-8:30pm (Monday 25th May is a bank holiday, so we will have no rehearsal)
Monday 1st June, 6:30-8:30pm
SUMMER CONCERT – Friday 5th June (SUBJECT TO CHANGE).
Summer break
2026-2027 dates will be posted in August 2026. For more information, please email choir@greenwich.ac.uk
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.
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.