A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Choragus

CHORAGUS. A titular functionary in the University of Oxford, who derives his name from the leader of the chorus in the ancient Greek drama (χοραγὸς). In the year 1626, Dr. William Heather, desirous to ensure the study and practice of music at Oxford in future ages, established the offices of Professor, Choragus, and Coryphæus, and endowed them with modest stipends. The Professor was to give instruction in the theory of music; the Choragus and the Coryphæus were to superintend its practice. 'Twice a week,' say the ordinances of Dr. Heather, 'is the Choragus to present himself in the Music School and conduct the practice, both vocal and instrumental, of all who may choose to attend.' The instruments to be used by the students at these performances were furnished out of Dr. Heather's benefactions; provision was made for obtaining treble voices, and everything requisite to the regular and practical cultivation of music as one of the academic studies appeared to have been devised. Yet Dr. Heather must have had certain misgivings as to the future of his institutions, for he enacts that 'if no one shall attend the meetings in the Music School, then the Choragus himself shall sing with two boys for at least an hour.' Little as Dr. Heather asked of posterity, he obtained still less. The practices ceased; the instruments were dispersed, and their remnant finally broken up by the authorities as old lumber; and no Choragus has either conducted or sung in the Music School within the memory of man. The history of this well-meant endowment may point either to the indifference and mismanagement of a University, or to the doubtful vitality of official attempts to foster a free art. Of late years the Choragus has been charged, along with the Professor, with the conduct of the examinations for musical degrees. The emoluments of the office, derived in part from the above-mentioned endowment, in part from fees paid on examination, amount in all to an insignificant total.

[ C. A. F. ]