The Stanley Vann Scholarship Fund

Dr Stanley Vann was for many years the Organist and Master of the Choristers at Peterborough Cathedral, where he raised the standard of the choir to an unrivalled level. Among those who heard and marvelled at the singing there were Major and Mrs Vernon Yon. Major Yon was here on a tour of duty from the United States and the sound of that singing stayed with him when he returned to America. Before his death in 2008, he made funds available for the endowment of a scholarship in honour of Dr Vann.

The Fund is administered by the IAO and is a designated fund within the IAO accounts. There are currently six members of the Committee (which is a sub-committee of the IAO Council), two from the IAO, one from the Vann family and three who have achieved distinction in the field of Anglican choral training. The Chair is Dr James Lancelot; Paul Evans, IAO Treasurer, and Richard Allen are IAO trustees. Martyn Vann, Stanley’s son, is the family representative. The other committee members are Barry Ferguson and Richard Mason. Approval of these arrangements was given by Dr Vann.

The Object of the Fund

To enhance Anglican choral music by the grant of an annual Scholarship (The Stanley Vann Scholarship) in the form of a monetary award and by such other means as the Committee may decide from time to time.

Beneficiaries

Primarily young musicians, professional or amateur, who show promise and wish to improve their skills in the field of Anglican choir training and direction. The Trustees may, however, at their discretion, make an award to a choir trainer of more mature years; to a promising composer of Anglican church music; in answer to a perceived need, or in recognition of outstanding accomplishment. Prospective beneficiaries will normally be identified by nomination but personal applications may be entertained at the discretion of the Committee.  On receipt of a nomination or application, a form will be sent to the originator for completion and return, setting out the particulars needed to enable the Committee to make a decision.

Awards

 

There shall normally be only one designated award (the Stanley Vann Scholarship) each year, but the sub-committee may, at its discretion, make one of more supplementary awards in pursuance of the object of the Fund.  Equally, they may withhold the award, if, in their opinion, no worthy candidate is forthcoming.

The value of the award(s) will be determined according to the available funds for disbursement in consultation with the IAO Council.

An application/nomination form may be downloaded here.

Nominations and Applications for the award must be submitted by 31st March in the year for which the award is sought and should be addressed to:

The Stanley Vann Scholarship Fund, c/o The Incorporated Association of Organists, 2 Gillity Avenue, Walsall, WS5 3PH, or sent via email to: secretary@iao.org.uk

 

Scholarships have been awarded as follows in recent years:

Alexander Turner

2024

Tristan Weymes

2023

Thomas Coxhead

2022

Hannah Towndrow

2021

Callum Alger

2020

Max Barley

2019

Quintin Beer

2018