Louis Moss a 12 year old schoolboy has been awarded a scholarship to play the organ at Jesus College Oxford making him the youngest person ever to play the organ for an Oxford college and one of only 750 young people now thought to be learning the instrument in the United Kingdom. Thanks to funding from Jesus College alumni, Louis will start playing hymns for chapel services in the spring after already beginning to assist musicians in the Jesus College organ loft. The talented youngster who attends the Cotswold School began playing piano when he was six years old and took up the organ just over a year ago but has already progressed to earn this prestigious scholarship at one of the world’s most famous universities.
Sir Nigel Shadbolt principal of Jesus College said they are delighted to have Louis with them and by starting a young music scholarship scheme which is the first of its kind in an Oxford or Cambridge college they are creating more opportunities to connect local state schools with Jesus College through music. The scholarship program run with the Young Organ Scholars Trust hopes to reverse declining organist numbers as there are around 6,000 organists in Britain both professional and amateur although a rapid decline over the past decade has led to less live organ music. Dr Samina Khan Oxford University’s Director of Undergraduate Admissions said they are excited by innovations like this which open up opportunities to those from state schools as Oxford works closely with local schools to support curriculum enrichment and young people’s engagement.
Louis said it is great to play such an amazing instrument and he is looking forward to improving further through his organ scholarship at Jesus College proving age is just a number when it comes to pursuing musical excellence.
