Figure 1.--There are differt terms used for French choirs. The most common is 'Petits Chanteurs', we also note 'Maîtrise' and 'Manécanterie'. These seem to mean a choir trained by a choir school, but this is not alwys the case. As far as we can tell the terms are now used interchangably with 'Petits Chanteurs', but French readers tell us that 'Petits Chanteurs' is often used to describe the boys and 'Manécanterie' abbreviated 'Mané' is used to refer to the choir and choir shgool a an institution. Click on the image here to see a list of French choirs and the terns used in their names..

Many French boy choirs in the 20th century were called called --Little Singers. A former chorister tells us, "You may also have noticed that it is common for choir names to have the word 'Petits Chanteurs'. It means Little Singers. We are often addressed as petits chanteurs (in a groupe) or petit chanteur (one person), for exemple, "Bonne nuit (good night), petits chanteurs." The term was very coomonly used and continues to be used in the 21st century. The term first appeared in the name of the first revived choir of the 20th century--La Manécanterie des Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois. It is, however, not the only term used for boy choirs. We also notice the term Maîtrise and Manécanterie. We thought at first the terms were used to identify different types of choirs. These are terms of historicl origin, but as far as we can determine, the terms convey nothing about the nature of the choir itself. THey simply are different names used for boy choirs. The terms have also been used for childrn;s and girls' choirs. La Manécanterie des Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois mixed the two terms, 'La Manécanterie' and 'Petits Chanteurs'. Most choirs chose on of the terms. 'Petits Chanteurs' proved be especially popular.

Petits Chanteurs

Many French boy choirs in the 20th century were called called 'Petits Chanteurs'--Little Singers. A former chorister tells us, "You may also have noticed that it is common for choir names to have the word 'Petits Chanteurs'. It means Little Singers. We are often addressed as petits chanteurs (in a groupe) or petit chanteur (one person), for exemple, "Bonne nuit (good night), petits chanteurs." The term was very coomonly used and continues to be used in the 21st century. The term first appeared in the name of the first revived choir of the 20th century--La Manécanterie des Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois. 'Petits Chanteurs' is, however, not the only term used for boy choirs. We also notice the term Maîtrise and Manécanterie. We thought at first the terms were used to identify different types of choirs. These are terms of historicl origin, but as far as we can determine, the terms convey nothing about the nature of the choir itself. THey simply are different names used for boy choirs. The terms have also been used for childrn's and girls' choirs. La Manécanterie des Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois mixed the two terms, 'La Manécanterie' and 'Petits Chanteurs'. Most choirs chose one of the terms. 'Petits Chanteurs' proved be especially popular.

Maîtrise

We are not sure abi\out the etymology of Maîtrise. The word is used as both a noun and verb in French. As a noun it has various meanings, including choir school (or a choir created by a choir school, experties, domination (often foreign), mexcellence (including that of an academic subject or skill), and an academic degree. Used to mean a choir school or choir, as far as we can tell, the term is synomamous with Manécanterie. A French readev confirms this, "Maîtrise and Manécanterie are interchangeable." And as another reader explains are terms used for the choir and chour school as an institution, while 'Petits Chanteurs' refers mor eto the boys. Another reader explains, "In French the word 'Maîtrise' means master and is a high degree into spéciality knowledge In the university the Maîtrise is a master's degree, rather like the Masters Degree' at American universities. The Maîtrise about a choir, it is high music training degree. The little singer are starting very early age the music study into a 'Conservatoire de la musique' (often at 5 years). All are able to play a classic instrument. These children don't live inside a institution, but at home. The study is completely free. If he or she is gifted, the child can enter into a Maîtrise. In France they are several famous Maîtrise choeur with children like: La Maîtrise de la cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris. La Maîtrise de la cathédrale Notre Dame de Reims La Maîtrise de la cathédrale Notre Dame de Rouen La Maîtrise de la cathédrale Notre Dame de Radio France La Maîtrise de l'Opéra de Paris During my childhood, also the Maîtrise de l'Eglise de la Madeleine. It must be added those mostly famous in the world; the Wienersängerknaben, Several in England like King's college. One of my youngest granddaughter ( 8 years) a just enter in September into the Pré-Conservatoire de Musique. She is playing violon since her 5 years three hours per week. This year she starts to learn the classic music chants, but only one hour per week."

Manécanterie

Manécanterie is not a medieval term, but one of relative recent origins. Etymologically, the word 'Manécanterie' meaning choir school appeared in 1836 according to the dictionary 'Le Robert'. the words 'cantare mane' comes from the Latin, meaning 'singing in the morning'. The term designated designates a particular type of children's choir or chour school composed of boys, attached to a cathedral or an important parish church. The choir was operated by the clergy. . The word was not used during the Middle Ages , the Renaissance , or even during the Revolution. The medieval choir schools were schools where children received a high-quality education in the field of music, and of course in the religious sphere, since the singing offices were important to a priest. In more modern times, participating in choirs allowed the children to pursue careers in music, and so some of them came to achive important positions in the musical world. The modern term Manécanterie is some times used to identify a choir school or a choir produced by a choir school. It is also used indiscriminately to sim\ply identify a children's choir. A French reader tells us, "There is a difference between Manécanterie (short: Mané) and Petits Chanteurs, and it is possible for both terms to be used. For exemple, you can say there are Petits Chanteurs in the Manécanterie, something like Little Singers in the Choir School. It depends on how you use it. Manécanterie is an institution, but Petits Chanteurs are the boys, or the singers (in a mixed choir)." Another reader tells us something similar, 'Petit Chanteur' means Singer Child or Little Singer. When we speak about a catholic child choir, both these words are always written with a capital letter P and C. In contrast, ' Manécanterie ' is the name of the institution and includes the school, home. and the children who live there. We, both former and today say ' Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois'. Often when using the term Manécanterie, we normally only use the abreviation--'Mané'."

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Created: 10:31 PM 11/29/2012
Last updated: 2:44 AM 11/30/2012