The Schola of the Vienna Imperial Chapel, which consists of former members of the Vienna Boys’ Choir, has been singing the Proprium in the Sunday Services in the Vienna Imperial Chapel since 1952. Over the years they have established a vocal ensemble of international reputation searching for a modern interpretation relating to the traditions of the Gregorian Chant.

A series of six CDs – produced with Philips Classics under the direction of Father Hubert Dopf SJ in 1991 to 1997 – displays the complex view of the richness of this highly developed art of una voce music through chosen scores following the liturgical calendar. A combination of solo instruments (e.g. viola da gamba, harp, organ) or recitation of texts with the Gregorian Chant had a meditative effect, which deeply impressed the audience of the many concerts held throughout Europe.

Since 2012 Daniel Mair has been the artistic director of the Schola of the Vienna Imperial Chapel.

In addition to the Gregorian Chant, the Schola of the Vienna Imperial Chapel – under the direction of René Clemencic, an outstanding expert of “Old Music” – has been studying works of the time when Emperor Maximilian I founded the Imperial Music Chapel; sacred music of the 15th and 16th centuries (e.g. Josquin Desprez or Heinrich Isaac). Following the historical model the «Discant» is sung by members of the Vienna Boys’ Choir, using the original white Mensural notation without bar lines nor any scores.

In the fifties of the 20th century the Schola increased in size with the addition of former members of the Vienna Boys’ Choir, forming a new male choir under the name of Chorus Viennensis which successfully performs music that was set for male choirs. Together with the members of the Vienna Boys’ Choir many concerts were held and CDs were produced with choral music for four and more voices.