The Scholas of Ampleforth Abbey aim to continue a living tradition of plainchant and polyphony in a liturgical context. The Schola Cantorum has a principle role in the singing of the solemn High Mass of the Abbey community on Sundays and Holy Days and sings a Choral Mass on Fridays. The choir is made up of boys from St. Martin's Ampleforth and Ampleforth College.
A girl's schola, the Schola Puellurum, was formed a few years ago and provides parallel opportunities for the senior girls.
The girls of St. Martin's Ampleforth form their own choir, the Schola Sancti Martini, which perform on their own as well as in conjunction with the other choirs.
The Scholas tour abroad each year, recent trips being to Poland, Hong Kong, Austria, Hungary, Spain, Rome and Malta. The Schola Cantorum has made several CD recordings and has appeared on Television and Radio.
The major achievement of 2005 was the invitation for Ampleforth College and St. Martin's Ampleforth to become members of the Choir Schools' Association; normally the preserve of cathedral choir schools, this membership is a sign of the high standard of our choral singing.
