GERMANY
The Malay Mail Online
AFP
MUNICH, July 19 — The Regensburg Boys Choir has a proud history dating back more than a thousand years, but now finds its reputation tarnished by revelations that hundreds of its young charges suffered physical or sexual abuse.
One of the oldest choirs in continuous existence in the world, it traces its roots back to the year 975, when Bishop Wolfgang of Regensburg set up a cathedral school in the Bavarian town whose pupils were charged with singing the liturgy.
The pupils — only boys and young men are admitted — are called “Domspatzen”, meaning “Cathedral Sparrows.”
The institution comprises a Catholic boarding school and a secondary school where a heavy focus is on learning music.
It has a current enrolment of 320, half of whom live in the boarding school, which has a reputation for tough discipline.
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