Bursary Scholarships

How young people can sing for free with Ealing Choral Society

Pauline Holman and Winifred Thorne have enabled Ealing Choral Society to provide a bursary fund for young singers through legacies left in their wills. You can learn more about how to support Ealing Choral Society in this way in the Support Us section.

Pauline Holman

Pauline was born in Swindon and spent her youth there before moving to London and graduating from London University. A short career in research was followed by a position teaching Biology at a school in Isleworth until her retirement. Pauline, a keen ‘cello player married another teacher, a violinist, in 1948. She was widowed in 1962.

Pauline’s main interest was music. She was very proud of the fact that she was a founder member of Ealing Choral Society. She was also accompanist to the Acton Male Voice Choir for many years. When it disbanded, she accompanied a vocal group who entertained at clubs and residential homes. She was still singing and playing until her illness and untimely death in 1999.

Pauline (far right) with other founder members of ECS (L-R Frank Welchman, Ela Thomas and David Wedmore)

Winifred Thorne

Born in 1919, Winifred lived for much of her life in Norwood Green, working as a payroll clerk. She was a great music-lover, and often attended courses at the Benslow Music Trust in Hitchin. In 1996 she joined Ealing Choral Society as an alto, and was an enthusiastic singer until she became too frail, retiring in her 90th year in 2009! Winifred was a generous benefactor to the Society, making a donation to the 50th Anniversary Fund in 2012 as well as providing a legacy in her will.

Part of Pauline’s and Winifred’s legacies to Ealing Choral Society are being dedicated to providing bursaries for young singers. The choir is keen to receive applications from any young people who want to sing choral music with a good choir and professional soloists and orchestra.

Winifred Thorne