The Schola Cantorum de Paris is a private music school in Paris. It was founded in 1894 by Charles Bordes, Alexandre Guilmant and Vincent d'Indy as a counterbalance to the Paris Conservatoire's emphasis on opera. Its former pupils include many significant figures in 20th century music.
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In the later half of the 19th century, the Paris Conservatoire's curriculum was dominated by opera, such that vocalist had become synonymous with opera singer, and composer with operatic composer. Composers who wrote primarily instrumental music, such as D'Indy's teacher César Franck, found it difficult to gain full acceptance into the Parisian musical establishment.
La Schola was founded in 1894 and opened on 15 October 1896 as a counterbalance to the Conservatoire. Alexandre Guilmant, an organist at the Conservatoire, was the director of the Schola before D'Indy took over. D'Indy set the curriculum and built the early foundations for the Schola's success. The school's program initiated a revival of interest in Gregorian chant and the music of the 16th and 17th centuries. Since 1900 it has been located in a converted convent in the Quartier Latin.