SCHOLA CANTORUM

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 202, 23 May 1936, Page 8

SCHOLA CANTORUM

Choir of Picked Singers Formed in Wellington NEW BODY WITH HIGH AIMS Music in Wellington has been further enriched by the creation of another choir of mixed voices. This choir, which has taken the name of “Schola Cantorum” (school of song), will be under the direction of Mr. Stanley Oliver, conductor of the Royal Choral Union. The new choir consists of 26 singers who have been chosen for their vocal and sight-reading abilities. Tiie aims of the society are somewhat apart from the beaten track Primarily the object of the Schola Cantorum will not be to give concerts. It is created for the joy of studying new music anti the love of singing for singing’s sake rather than for the approbation of others.

Members of the new choir have been rehearsing since the beginning of the season. They may give public concerts from time to time, but at no stated intervals. The music to be sung will be of the best, without a thought of its “box office" powers. At present the Schola Cantorum is studying Gustav Holst’s “Grecian Urn.” “Benedicite,” by Vaughan Williams, and three carols b.v Peter Warlock, as well as some tine old madigrals. “Why the name of the choir?” Mr. Oliver was asked.

“Why not?" he replied. “The original Schola Cantorum was a famous school of singing in Paris. The name has been a<=suru-ed by a very fine choir in New York, at present conducted by Mr. Hugh Ross, who used to be the conductor of the excellent Winnipeg Male Choir. “The Schola Cantorum, of New York.” continued Mr. Oliver, “is noted for its presentation of new choral works. For instance, in 1934 it gave the first performances in America of the “Jewish Service,” composed by Bloch, and the “Gederunt Principes,” by Perotin. In 1935 the choir sang Walton’s “Belshazzar's Feast.” In a very modest way we hope to do something of the sort in Wellington, so we take the name Schola Cantorum with becoming humility. But mainly we are studying our music for the love of it, and we are not opening any subscribing members’ list.”