Singing schools were established for the instruction of the order of singers as early as the 6th century, and became common in various parts of Europe, particularly in France and Germany. These schools were very much patronized by Gregory the Great, under whom they gained great celebrity. From them originated the famous Gregorian Chant (q.v.), a plain system of Church music. The prior, or principal, of these schools was a man of great consideration and influence. The name of this officer at Rome was archicantor ecclesioe Romanoe, and, like that of prelatus cantor in their chapters and collegiate churches, it was a highly respectable and lucrative office. See Coleman, Christian Antiquities.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More