The choir of the cathedral is a mixed group composed of children and adults.
Beyond its primary role of animating masses by maintaining the treasure of sacred music, it allows the children to blossom through singing, by acquiring a broad musical culture, in-depth musical training and vocal technique.
The Maîtrise today…
“The aim of the choir is the musical animation of the liturgies in the cathedral”
Repertoire
The repertoire of the Maîtrise is a mixture of congregational songs, canticles, sacred music and oratorio works from the Renaissance to the 20th century.
Choirmaster’s Cross
After three years of commitment, the Master’s members receive a cross to wear during the cathedral’s celebrations. This cross rewards the assiduity and commitment of the singers.
Additional activities
A trip/tour is organized every year, combining cultural discovery and religious singing, but also exchanges with other musical groups.
Clothing
The masters wear an alb provided by the cathedral. This alb remains in the choir’s checkroom, but parents are asked to take care of it.
The uniform includes a sweater with the choir’s logo for children and a dark suit for adults.
Organization / Contact
Religious authority: Chanon Emmanuel BLONDEAU, Cathedral Priest
Cantor, Musical Coordinator: Pauline BONNEAU-PFEIFFER
President of the association Maîtrise: Hélène de la KETHULLE
Address : Maîtrise de la Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres / 16 cloître Notre-Dame / 28000 Chartres, France
Brief History…
The Maîtrise of Chartres Cathedral is one of the oldest in the world. A text of 485 attests that, under Bishop Flavius, a choir of young clerics existed to sing the services.
The essential impulse was however given by Saint Fulbert (960-1028). A composer himself, Fulbert became bishop in 1006 and had the cathedral rebuilt after the fire of 1020. The present crypt is his work. The Cathedral School of Chartres became one of the most important centers of study in Europe, where philosophy, theology and the liberal arts were always closely linked. Thus, the master’s degree was also a place of thought.
We still have the names of children who were enrolled there in the 11th century.
Like many other choirs, it knew famous masters and had an intense musical activity until its dissolution during the Revolution.
Reconstituted with the Concordat, the choir school recovered its glory until 1969 when it disappeared again. It was re-established in 1980 under the impulse of Canon Hercouët.
Un peu d’Histoire…
En 1127, la musique chartraine étant complexe, un groupe va se désolidariser de l’école épiscopale et s’adonner prioritairement au chant :
la Maîtrise est née.
Quelques anecdotes…
Extraits de l’ouvrage
« L’ancienne Maîtrise de Notre-Dame de Chartres du Ve siècle à la Révolution »
par l’abbé Clerval, Paris, 1899.
Battre chape…
Un usage curieux qui existait encore en certaines paroisses au début du XX° siècle, sinon tous les dimanches, au moins aux grandes solennités…
L’ancien habit des maîtrisiens…
Les maîtrisiens de la cathédrale avaient un habit très remarquable – jusqu’aux années 50, offert par l’impératrice Eugénie, femme de Napoléon III – sur ses fonds personnels.