Boy Choir Costumes: Religions


Figure 1.--

The Western choral tradition is largely that of the Roman Catholic Church until the Reformation. The Eastern or Orthadox Church also had a Since the Reformation, but HBC has few details at this time. With the Reformation the choral tradition becomes much more complex. The wars and diorders commencing with the Reformation and then the anti-clericism of the French Revolution greatlty affected the Church and its ability to support choir schools. Except for the Anglican choirs in England, the boy choir tadition was largely lost on the Continent and not revived until the 20th century by many different religious denominations. HBC at this time, however, has only limited information on the choral traditions of different Christian denominations.

Catholic Church

The Western choral tradition is largely that of the Roman Catholic Church until the Reformation. This history is thus presented as the history of boy choirs in general. Throughout Europe the tradition of choir schools and boys' choirs were generally lost until revived in the 20th century.

Orthodox Church

The Eastern or Orthadox Church also had a Since the Reformation, but HBC has few details at this time. Some believe that some of the most beautiful choral music is in the Eastern tradition. HBC does not know, however, of any current Orthodox choirs.

Protestant Churches

With the Reformation the choral tradition becomes much more complex. The wars and diorders commencing with re Reformation and then the anti-clericism of the French Revolution greatlty affected the Church and its ability to support choir schools. Except for the Anglican choirs in England, the boy choir tadition was largely lost on the Continent and not revived until the 20th century by many different religious denominations. HBC at this time, however, has only limited information on the chotral traditions of different denominations. One HBC reader stresses the importance of the choral tradition of he Anglican Church, the Protestant denomination cloest to the Catholic Church. He writes, "The strongest, and longest, is that supported by the Anglican tradition, chiefly in England. Whilst it is true that boys choirs exist in Germany and Austria (and very fine they are too, for the most part), they do not have the length of tradition which has existed in the UK since the Norman Conquest and the foundation of our cathedrals; or indeed, the numbers. Every cathedral in the United Kingdom has a choir of men and boys. In addition the choral foundations of Oxford, Cambridge and Durham support similar choirs (there are three such in Oxford alone). On top of this, there are still numerous parish churches around the country which maintain all male choirs. In France, over the last 15-20 years, they have been trying to replicate this tradition by importing English choral traditions and advisors (with mixed results). In Italy, there is no choral tradition at all and in the low countries, their choirs are modelled on those of the Anglican tradition."






HBC





Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main choir page]
[Introduction] [Activities] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Glossary] [Satellite sites] [Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]






Created: November 24, 2000
Last updated: March 11, 2003