Choral Schola
A choral schola ( Latin : schola cantorum "singers school") is a choir that sings the unanimous Gregorian chant in the liturgy . Often a choral schola consists only of men or boys, but there are also mixed choral scholes with women only. As a rule, people sing in liturgical clothing , for example in black gown and white rochett .
The ordinarium , that is the parts of the mass that remain the same throughout the church year, is usually sung alternately between the choral schola and the congregation . Some parts of the proprium , i.e. the parts of the mass that change depending on the day of the church year and the occasion of the mass, are usually antiphonary , i.e. H. sung alternately between one or more cantors and the Schola (so introitus with psalm, graduals , sequence , call to the gospel and communion with psalm). It is also possible for two groups of the Schola to sing alternately. Other parts of the ordinarium are sung by the entire Schola, such as the tract and the offertory .
Originally, choral scholes sang a cappella . Since Gregorian chant is no longer as widespread as it was before the Second Vatican Council , at least the ordinarium is often accompanied by an organ , in particular to support the singing of the parish.