Schola Cantorum of Paris

See also: Schola Cantorum

Three animated men of the same spirit and the same faith, the same tenacity and a common ideal - Charles Bordes, Alexandre Guilmant and Vincent d' Indy - are the instigators of a movement consisting in giving in honor the sacred music Gregorian and palestrinienne. This movement leaves the platform of the Église Saint-Gervais where Bordes is choirmaster; the history of Schola merges with the Chanteurs of Saint-Gervais which diffuse in France the old religious repertory including the cantatas of Jean-Sebastien Bach. Border creates its own publisher and publishes a Anthologie of the religious Masters which makes authority.

June 6th, 1894, Border, Guilmant and of Indy, joined together in the room of the control of Saint-Gervais with the canon of Bussy, the abbot Noyer, first vicar, the Chappuy abbot, vicar of Saint-François Xavier, the Perruchot abbot then choirmaster of Notre-Dame of the White Coats, found a Société of propaganda for the disclosure of the religious masterpieces . But the title is too long and Charles Bordes proposes to substitute to him that of Schola Cantorum , adopted at once. One decides, also, to publish a monthly review the Platform of Saint-Gervais . who publishes articles which place the new school in the direct prolongation of the religious music school of Alexandre-Etienne Choron, of company of the religious and traditional vocal music of the prince of Moskowa and in competition with the École Niedermeyer:

  • the return to the Gregorian tradition for the execution of the Plainsong and an application to the various editions diocésaines,

  • handing-over with the honor of the music palestrinienne like model of illustrated music which can be associated with the Gregorian chant for the solemn festivals,
  • the creation of a modern, respectful sacred music of the texts and laws of the liturgy, taking as a starting point the Gregorian traditions and palestriniennes,
  • improvement of the repertory of the organists from the point of view of his union with the Gregorian melodies and of its appropriation to the various offices.

It opens its doors on October 15th, 1896, without financial resources, street Stanislas, with the angle of the Boulevard of Montparnasse (Paris 6th).

Its teaching consists in exempting free elementary courses, paying higher courses and courses of the evening or courses popular. They are entrusted to the Vigourel abbot for the Gregorian studies, Mr. Shilling for the Gregorian chant, Alexandre Guilmant for the organ, André Pirro for the piano. The classes of writing are directed per G. of Boisjardin (musical theory), Fernand of Tombelle (harmony), and Vincent d' Indy (counterpoint and composition).

The first year one counts 21 inscriptions of which those of Déodat de Séverac and Rene de Castéra. The beginnings are difficult. Other classes should be created: organ with Abel Decaux and higher piano with Edouard Risler. In order to widen teaching, of the lecturers are invited, and among them: Marie Bobillier, Jules Combarieu, Pierre Aubry, dom Parisot (Benedictine of the abbey of Solesmes making following a voyage organized by the school), Andre Hallays, Guy Ropartz. A control is founded with the English Catholic church of Saint-Joseph, which occurred Hoche (Paris 8th).

In 1900, two major events mark the history of Schola:

  1. Charles Bordes becomes a contractor of spectacles in a dependence of the World Fair where is installed a street of Old man-Paris (a paste board church is built and more than sixty thousand spectators cross the porch of it to listen to the Chanteurs of Saint-Gervais what contributes to better making known Schola);

  2. It subscribes a lease in a beautiful residence of located 269, rue Saint-Jacques, the Hotel of the English Benedictines. In September, Bordes opens the house by Assises on the sacred music (congress which lasts five days). November 2nd, 1900, a festival of inauguration is given for the opening of the courses with a concert in evening.

The payment of the school thus established:

  • not of age limit for the admission,

  • an examination at the beginning of October and, if it is necessary, at the beginning of each quarter,
  • a diploma of end of studies is given to the pupils of the second degree and the higher courses (with possibly of the mentions),
  • the organization in concerts to which to share the pupils instrumentalists and the pupils of the song take,
  • obligation to take part in the vocal overall course for touts the pupils instrumentalists,
  • prohibition to present for the examinations of other parts that those registered in the repertory published following the payment.

In 1905, the school counts 300 pupils; 400 in 1912; 500 in 1924. After the death of Border to Toulon on November 8th, 1900 and that of Guilmant deceased on March 29th, 1911 in Meudon, Vincent d' Indy teaches itself the composition and directs the meetings of whole of orchestra.

Among the famous professors who taught in Schola, one will quote: Isaac Albeniz, White Mrs. Michel Brenet, Guy de Lioncourt, Albéric Magnard, Selva, Auguste Sérieyx, Andre Pirro, Albert Roussel, Paul Flem, Marcel Labey, Gabriel Grovlez, Victor Vreuls, Amédée Gastoué, Fernand of Tombelle, Armand Parent, Holy Leon Réquier, Achilles Philip, Louis Vierne.

The influence of Schola is considerable and from the branches were born in the big cities and abroad (Schola Cantorum of Basle).

With died of Vincent d' Indy in 1931, the Board of directors of Schola is reversed for reasons of people. The new Council revokes the leaders appointed by Indy and the artistic council, composed in particular of Gabriel Pierné, Paul Dukas, Guy Ropartz, Albert Roussel, gives his resignation. On 54 professors, 49 give their resignation followed by 220 pupils out of 250. The pupils dispossessed of Schola then found the École César Franck which opens his doors on January 7th, 1935 under the direction of Louis de Serres and settles with 3 rue Jules-Chaplain (Paris 6th) with some steps of the street Stanislas.

Schola Cantorum, school of song and sacred music, constitutes the most important event in the history of musical teaching in France during the 19th century. It represents the religious musical instruction which tries to break the monopoly of the Conservatoire of Paris, laic institution which centers its teaching on the instrument and the orchestra.

Today, Schola Cantorum which, since 1980, has the statute of private establishment of higher education, is always located at 269, rue Saint-Jacques in the old convent Benedictine and Michel Denis is the Managing director and musical. For its engagement towards this institution, this last was raised by the President of the Republic in 2007 with the row of Knight of the National order of the Merit.

Related articles

External bonds

  • Official site of Schola Cantorum
  • List of the pupils of Vincent d' Indy

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