Hexham Abbey has secured £5,000 to help sustain its choral tradition, with the funding set to support young singers and the person responsible for supervising its choristers.
The grant has been awarded by The Ouseley Church Music Trust and will be divided equally between the 2026/27 and 2027/28 academic years. The Abbey said the money would help it continue nurturing its Choral Scholars and supporting the people who contribute to the standard of music within its worship.
Funding for singers and pastoral support
Hexham Abbey said its Choral Scholars contribute to the life of the institution while developing their own musical skills and experience through singing at services. The Chorister Supervisor has a separate role supporting the choristers and helping them develop as part of the Abbey’s musical community.
The funding will also contribute towards teenage choral scholars and pastoral support. The Abbey said this would help provide additional support for singers during their time there and assist with the continued development of its choir programme.
Matthew Kelley, the Abbey’s Director of Music, said the grant would help match the commitment of the singers with the support needed to develop their abilities.
“I am extremely grateful to the Ouseley Church Music Trust for supporting the work of our Abbey Choirs through this grant. Being blessed with such a healthy number of singers at the Abbey, across all ages, there is a passion amongst our team to be able to match their incredible work with enough support to enhance every singer’s development during their time here. The money received towards our teenage choral scholars, as well as our pastoral support, will go a long way towards achieving this aim over the coming years.”
A tradition rooted in worship
Music has been part of worship at Hexham Abbey for generations. The new grant is intended to help maintain that role while supporting the education, experience and wellbeing of the people involved in the choir.
The Ouseley Church Music Trust is a registered charity established in 1989. It promotes and maintains high standards of choral worship within the Church of England, the Church in Wales and the Church of Ireland.
Through its grants, the Trust supports choral foundations, parish churches, cathedrals, colleges and schools. Its work is aimed at advancing choral excellence and supporting the musical and wider education of young people.
Hexham Abbey said the grant would make a valuable contribution towards sustaining and developing choral music at the Abbey. It added that the funding would help ensure the tradition can continue to inspire worshippers, visitors and future generations.
The grant was announced by Hexham Abbey on 7 October 2026.