From its origins, the Church was organized into parishes and dioceses. Liturgical and musical needs soon arose. Under the influence of the most powerful monasteries, rites and a repertoire of religious chants developed. Bishops founded schools, known as scholæ, where children were taught to sing and the seven liberal arts. In the episcopal school, music was considered in its theoretical and mathematical aspects. The young students of these establishments, the forerunners of our choirs, ensured the choral part of religious services alongside the cantors.
In the 4th century, Paris had its own episcopal school, which counted among its first students Saint Marcel, the ninth bishop of Paris, born in 350. Marcel himself taught there, and thus the school continued from bishop to bishop. It saw notable development during the reign of Childebert I, who, at the instigation of Bishop Saint Germain (496-576), had the first cathedral, dedicated to Saint Stephen, completely rebuilt. It was necessary for the magnificence of the liturgy to match the new building. Witnesses recount the splendor of the hymns sung at matins in the brand-new nave, under the guidance of the enterprising Germain. A little later, masters from the schola in Rome, an ancient institution to which Pope Gregory (590-604) had given great prestige, were brought in.
Despite Charlemagne’s promotion of education, many episcopal schools declined after his death in 814. However, the Paris school continued to shine internationally. It inspired the creation of several institutions in England.
The cathedral ensured a solid reputation thanks to Peter Abelard (1079-1142), the tragic lover of the beautiful Héloise. A brilliant and rebellious spirit, who clashed with Saint Bernard and the greatest theologians of his time, he was the author of very popular love songs and 133 hymns for the liturgy. Only two have survived with their music.
In 1108, Canon William of Champeaux left the Cathedral of Saint Stephen and, five years later, founded a convent of regular canons, the Abbey of Saint-Victor, on the left bank of the Seine. His school spread the ideals of Saint Augustine. Many clerics and high dignitaries liked to retreat there occasionally and make offerings. The Abbey of Saint-Victor enjoyed considerable musical influence, which peaked at the end of the 12th century. The precentor Adam, known as Adam of Saint-Victor, composed most of his poems and music there. He probably met Maurice de Sully, who frequented the abbey and began the construction of Notre-Dame in 1163.
