What roles did vicars choral and clerks of the choir have in medieval England?

In medieval England, the roles of vicars choral and clerks of the choir were integral to the performance of liturgical music within cathedrals and well-endowed institutions.1

• Vicars Choral: These individuals emerged from a system where canons appointed substitutes to fulfill their singing duties. They formed self-governing colleges and were typically ordained as deacons or subdeacons. Their primary responsibility was to sing a portion of the music during church services. Over time, these positions became highly regarded, with some singers even progressing to this rank after being trained as boys.12
• Clerks of the Choir: Positioned below the vicars choral in the ecclesiastical hierarchy, these individuals were also in minor orders. They were sometimes referred to as altarists or secondaries and assisted in the musical and liturgical life of the institution.1

Together, these groups ensured the consistent performance of plainsong and, eventually, more complex polyphony as it was introduced into church services.1