SCHOLA CANTORUM. — This term denotes a rectangular enclosure, often raised one or two steps above the remaining floor, situated in ancient basilicas in the section of the main nave near the presbytery.
Within this enclosure were seated, until around the 13th century, the singers who took part in the sacred services. Examples are found in many Roman churches. There, some s. c. retain their original character in its entirety, while others are the result of later alterations and restorations. Among the oldest are that of S. Stefano on the Via Latina; some elements of that of S. Clemente (5th–6th century), reused in the arrangement of the 12th century; that of S. Sabina (8th–9th centuries); and, subsequently, the others from the 13th century at S. Maria in Cosmedin and S. Saba. Set against the enclosure, which sometimes had stone seats, there are often two pulpits (v.), though these are not always demonstrably original to the primitive structure. — Vedi tav. III. Emilio Lavagnino