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Boy's Choir, Shelby Earl Cowling

Honors Theses

Young boys first were trained for choir singing at a time when women were banned from participation in sacred services. "Actually, the first singing school for boys was founded in London, England, c. 1000 A.D." Soon other choir schools were started. Rome, Italy, soon became the headquarters for these establishments. During the residence of the Popes at Avignon from 1309 to 1377, Flemish singers were introduced into the choir of the Pope, the Schola Cantourm. For the next two centuries most of the choristers were recruited from Flanders.