*** English boys choir costumes : royal services








English Boy Choir Costumes: Royal Services

Westminster Abbey Royal Services
Figure 1.-- Along with the Choir there were boys participating in different outfits than the Choristers. These other boys were also singing. They are outfitted very differently from the rest of the Choir. They are not part of the Choir. We now know that theyb are the ten Children of the Chapel Royal who sing weekly services at the Chapel Royal in St James Palace and who also always sing at royal occasions such as the late queen's funeral. The boys' distinctive state uniforms date back to 1660 and the restoration of King Charles II.

The Westminster Abbey Choir is involved in a range of royal events, including marriages, coronations, funerals and others. The Choir sung at the funeral of Britain's beloved Queen Mum asnd Queen Elizabeth II. Along with the Choir there were boys participating in different outfits than the Choristers. These other boys were also singing. They are outfitted very differently from the rest of the Choir. They afre not part of the Choir. They are earing fancy red uniforms with gold trim. They are not pages - they are the ten Children of the Chapel Royal who sing weekly services at the Chapel Royal in St James Palace and who also always sing at royal occasions such as the late queen's funeral. They will be singing at the coronation of King Charles III on May 6th this year, again with the Westminster Abbey choir. The lower parts in the chapel royal choir are sung by adults - the six Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal - who wear normal choir dress (cassocks and surplices). The boys' distinctive state uniforms date back to 1660. Thec date is significant it dastes back to the restiration of King Charles II. The boys are taught at the City of London School, on the banks of the Thames at Blackfriars

A HBC reader writes, " I think the boys are royal pages and are nevertheless singing hymns (although not the more complex service music) with the choir at some service at which royalty is present -- possibly at Westminster Abbey or St. Paul's Cathedral. (In this case it is West Minster Abbey.) But I shall ask an Anglican priest friend of mine, who will probably be able to answer the question definitely." His comments were, "This is a picture of Westminster Abbey (note the choirboys in red cassocks, as contrasted with the scarlet of the Pages). The three boys in front are seated in the Aisle of the Choir, in front of the first desk, and are in Royal livery for the service at which Her Royal Magesty the Queen and the Royals were present. The Pages are singing from the service leaflet, not a musical score, so it's a hymn (or maybe the beginning of God Save the Queen). The Pages are probably on hand to fetch the coronets for the lesser nobility after the Burial of the Dead, before the Committal and National Anthem. They are not part of the choir at all." Another reader tells us, "The uniforms the boys are wearing are those of a 'Royal Page'. They're role is to escort the member of the royal family down the aisle of the church. Note the black arm bands in honor of the Queen Mum."

Furthrr correction: A HBC reader writes,"They are not pages - they are the ten Children of the Chapel Royal who sing weekly services at the Chapel Royal in St James Palace and who also always sing at royal occasions such as the late queen's funeral. They will be singing at the coronation of King Charles III on May 6th this year, again with the Westminster Abbey choir. The lower parts in the chapel royal choir are sung by adults - the six Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal - who wear normal choir dress (cassocks and surplices). The boys' distinctive state uniforms date back to 1660. The boys are taught at the City of London School, on the banks of the Thames at Blackfriars - I was once on the music staff there, which is why I know a little about the choir." They are not pages - they are the ten Children of the Chapel Royal who sing weekly services at the Chapel Royal in St James Palace and who also always sing at royal occasions such as the late queen's funeral. They will be singing at the coronation of King Charles III on May 6th this year, again with the Westminster Abbey choir. The lower parts in the chapel royal choir are sung by adults - the six Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal - who wear normal choir dress (cassocks and surplices). The boys' distinctive state uniforms date back to 1660. The boys are taught at the City of London School, on the banks of the Thames at Blackfriars. I was once on the music staff there, which is why I know a little about the choir. 【Terry】

Sources

Terry, Paul. E-msol nessage (Februasry 26, 2023)





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Last updated: 6:52 AM 4/3/2023