Now Hist. [SONG sb. Cf. MHG. sancschule, Da. zangschool, Sw. sångskola.] A school specially devoted to the teaching of (ecclesiastical or secular) singing and music. (In early use chiefly Sc.) Also attrib.
α. 1537. Reg. Aberdon. (Maitl.), I. 412. Maister of þe sang schuyil of þe cathedrall kyrk.
c. 1550. Rolland, Crt. Venus, Prol. 203. To put this man to Sang Scule, or playing.
1579. Acts Jas. VI., F iij b. For Instructioun of the ȝouth in the Airt of Musick and singing … To erect and set vp ane sang Scule.
1612. Extr. Aberd. Rec. (1848), II. 314. Patrick Dauidsoun, maister of the sang schuill.
1621. in R. M. Fergusson, Alex. Hume (1899), 220. They mak commodious seattis … meit for the maister of the sang schooll and his bairnis to sit on.
β. 1593. Rites of Durh. (Surtees, 1903), 62. A song schoole buylded, for to teach vj children for to learne to singe.
1601. F. Godwin, Bps. of Eng., 393. Mending his liuing by teaching a song schoole, for he was a great and cunning Musitian.
1733. [Hunter], Durham Cathedral, 99, in Rites of Durh. (Surtees, 1903), 264. A convenient Room, wherein is established the Song-school.
1802. Fosbroke, Brit. Monachism, II. 201. Song School. ‘This school,’ says Davies, ‘was built within the church.’
1903. A. F. Leach, Mem. Beverley Minster, II. p. cv. The Master of the choristers or Song School Master.
