Grantham-born choral singer at St Wulfram’s Church who attended the King’s School given scholarship by Durham Cathedral Choir
A young singer at St Wulfram’s Church has won a choral scholarship in Durham Cathedral Choir, where he travels this weekend to begin his studies in music at Durham University.
Samuel Davie, 18, has been a chorister at St Wulfram’s since he joined at the age of seven, and has attended rehearsals and services every week during term time.
Samuel, who is from Grantham, was the youngest St Wulfram’s chorister ever to win the prestigious Royal School of Church Music Gold Award in 2017, and he carried on to be the Radbod Chorister (head chorister of the boys’ choir), before his voice changed.
The former Kings School pupil, who also served as deputy head boy there, continued singing at St Wulfram’s in the thriving teenage youth choir, becoming a choral scholar, and recently has been one of the two senior St Wulfram’s Choral Scholars.
His voice has matured to a baritone as he has taken tuition with Paul Nilon.
Samuel has sung many solos in services, as well as appearing as a soloist in many contexts, including locally with the Grantham Choral Society.
“My eleven years at St Wulfram’s have set me up in every way for this new post,” explained Samuel.
“As well as the academic course that accompanies it: the training I have received from the director of music at St Wulfram’s, Dr Tim Williams, as well as all his support and tireless enthusiasm, has fostered in me the depth of interest in music that I’m now going off to pursue. It has set me up with professional employment at the same time.
“As a choral scholar in Durham, I am paid to sing eight services a week at the cathedral, as well as provide other support to the cathedral music department (carrying out duties as a music librarian or rehearsal assistant, for example).
“To be paid to do what is, largely, my hobby, is an enormous privilege.”
Samuel joins a high-level music department at Durham Cathedral, where the sub-organist is Joseph Beech – a Grantham-born former St Wulfram’s organ scholar, and Dr Williams’s first organ pupil.
Dr Williams said: “Samuel has offered an extraordinary devotion to the full role and all the expectations of being a chorister at St Wulfram’s.
“It has been incredible to see him grow to the level he has now reached, and I am delighted that he has such amazing opportunities ahead both academically in music, and practically as part of Durham Cathedral Choir.
“I am sure he will be hugely appreciated in Durham, as he always has been here, and everyone wishes him well. I am also keen to invite him back on many occasions to musical events in St Wulfram’s in the future”.
St Wulfram’s Church Choir is currently recruiting new members to all sections of the choir – the boys’ choir, girls’ choir (both ages seven-13), the youth choir (ages 13-18) and the adult choir.
This will include a come and be a chorister event for the children’s choirs on the afternoon of Sunday October 8 (the Royal School of Church Music International Chorister Day).
Dr Williams added: “Being a chorister is a great balance of music education, learning skills in communication and teamwork, having amazing fun, and taking huge opportunities.
“We are often invited to sing in major cathedrals – indeed only a couple of weeks ago we sang for the third time in Westminster Abbey. We’d be delighted to welcome new choristers, and the opportunity is open to all – please email choir@stwulframs.com for more information.”
