This study describes how the English cathedral tradition of chorister training is maintained within the American Episcopal church, focusing specifically on the spiritual, academic, and musical training of the boy choir at the Washington National Cathedral. As such, it 1) documents academic requirements for choristers enrolled at St. Albans (the school they must attend); 2) provides a detailed review of the choristers' musical training and their subsequent responsibilities to Cathedral service, both musical and spiritual, especially since ratification of The Book of Common Prayer in 1979; and 3) reviews other components of the Cathedral's music program that relate to the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, especially in Douglas Major's tenure as organist and choirmaster.Literature reviewed for this study examines the role of the organist-choirmaster as choral conductor, the qualifications and demands made on boy choristers, current thoughts regarding the all-male choral tradition, and the research directly related to the English model of chorister training, especially in the United States.The academic, musical, and spiritual training of the boy choristers at the Washington National Cathedral are addressed in this study through interviews with 1) Cathedral staff, present and past, responsible for the maintenance of the Cathedral's music program and mission, and for the musical training of the choristers; 2) a Cathedral clergyperson directly responsible for spiritual aspects of the choristers' education and service to the Cathedral; 3) the St. Albans School staff person in charge of the choristers' academic program and schedule; and 4) two choristers in the music program, specifically one boy chorister and one girl chorister. / School of Music
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/176726 |
| Date | January 2003 |
| Creators | Hendricks, Steven E. |
| Contributors | Ester, Don P. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | iv, 143 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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