Schola Gregoriana is a classical music ensemble that specializes in performing Gregorian chant, a form of plainchant that originated in the medieval period. The ensemble was founded in 1987 by Dr. Mary Berry, a renowned musicologist and expert in Gregorian chant. Dr. Berry had a long and distinguished career in music, having studied at the Royal College of Music in London and later serving as the director of music at St. Gregory's Catholic Church in Soho, London. She was also a member of the International Musicological Society and the Plainsong and Medieval Music Society. Dr. Berry founded Schola Gregoriana with the aim of promoting the study and performance of Gregorian chant, which she believed was an important part of Western musical heritage. The ensemble consisted of a small group of singers who were trained in the techniques of Gregorian chant and who shared Dr. Berry's passion for this ancient form of music. The main members of Schola Gregoriana were all highly trained musicians who had studied at prestigious institutions such as the Royal College of Music and the University of Oxford. They included singers such as James Bowman, Timothy Penrose, and Andrew Carwood, as well as instrumentalists such as David Roblou and Christopher Wilson. One of the highlights of Schola Gregoriana's early career was their performance at the 1988 Edinburgh International Festival, where they received critical acclaim for their rendition of Gregorian chant. This performance helped to establish the ensemble as one of the leading interpreters of this ancient form of music. Over the years, Schola Gregoriana continued to perform at major festivals and venues around the world, including the Salzburg Festival, the BBC Proms, and the Royal Albert Hall in London. They also recorded several albums of Gregorian chant, including "Gregorian Chant: The Definitive Collection" and "Gregorian Chant: The Abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos." In addition to their performances and recordings, Schola Gregoriana also played an important role in promoting the study and scholarship of Gregorian chant. They worked closely with musicologists and historians to research the origins and development of this ancient form of music, and they published several articles and books on the subject. One of the most notable achievements of Schola Gregoriana was their contribution to the revival of interest in Gregorian chant in the late 20th century. At a time when many people had forgotten about this ancient form of music, Schola Gregoriana helped to bring it back into the public consciousness and to inspire a new generation of musicians and scholars. Schola Gregoriana received several awards and honors over the course of their career, including the Gramophone Award for Best Early Music Recording in 1994 and the Diapason d'Or in 1996. They were also awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2001 for their contributions to the study and performance of Gregorian chant. Despite the passing of Dr. Berry in 2008, Schola Gregoriana continues to perform and record Gregorian chant to this day. They remain one of the leading interpreters of this ancient form of music, and their legacy continues to inspire musicians and scholars around the world.

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