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Chanting monks set to hit music charts
Grace Chng Mon, Mar 24, 2008 The Straits Times
LONDON - A GROUP of Gregorian monks is on the cusp of international fame after signing up for one of the world's biggest music labels. The Abbey of the Holy Cross monks, whose heavenly notes are enjoyed by Pope Benedict, have joined London-based Universal Records, the company said yesterday. Universal will produce the Austrian-based choir's album, which is due for worldwide distribution later this year. The company discovered the choir, from the world's second-oldest Cistercian monastery and based 15km west of the capital Vienna, after it responded via YouTube to advertisements calling for mediaeval chanters.

'We're not Robbie Williams or Michael Jackson, we're just a group of monks who sing every day because it's our prayer and it's our life,' he said in a statement.

Label bosses placed the ads in various religious publications after discovering a resurgence of interest in the Gregorian chant, thanks to the best-selling Xbox game Halo, which uses the chant in its main soundtrack.

REUTERS