The Schola Cantorum
began as an idea that I'd had overnight some
months ago, which wouldn't go away, so I ended up by getting out
of bed at the unheard of hour (for me!) of 7am one Sunday morning
in order to do something about it.
It grew out of the Chant rehearsals for the Mass we sang in Scarborough,
as the more I thought about those, I kept thinking about the lack of a
group
based in the York area that should sing Chant more often - but still only
on
an occasional basis, very like the Rudgate Singers meeting only for specific
services to which we have been invited.
I
knew already of groups of all ages & abilities
who sing like the Leeds Schola Gregoriana, the
Schola Gregoriana of Northumbria, Nottingham Cathedral Choir, and
others who sing in West Yorkshire & Notts/Lincs. Many who sing with
the above, would readily admit that
they're not the greatest singers in the world(!) but at least
they are keen to ensure that the music gets sung where it should be.
I'd often wondered why such a group didn't exist in the Greater York
(& North/East Yorks) area, especially given the importance of this
city in musical
matters - so I sent messages to several people both Rudgates and non-Rudgates
alike to see if there was any interest in forming a Chant group based
in York.
Thus the Schola Cantorum was born!
We have sung with the Rudgate Singers several times so far, and also by ourselves, therefore confirming our
flexibility in being able to sing independently of the main choir.
