Do you imagine actually praying the Office while paying attention to intonation and blending at the same time? Or just using psalm texts instead of something else as a text while rehearsing?

I'd wonder if a choir would consist of singers who want to pray and rehearse at th same time. I've not belonged to a choir like that myself. However, I've sat (with other laymen) in the nave of a church to be praying the Office with monastics (who sat in the stalls). They sing the Office of Readings recto tono, and generally drop about a tone and a half by the end of each psalm. The weekly cantor would then have to decide, on taking up the antiphon, whether to return to the the first pitch or keep the final one. I found anticipating the decision rather distracting. But it's anecdotal evidence that praying and rehearsing aren't compatible.

On the other hand, using a psalm text, especially with italianate (Church) Latin, as a text for practicing recitation, intervals, and blending, seems like an excellent idea to me.

Bonnie,

Thank you for the very practical suggestions I saw (start recto tono, move to learning the psalm tones, split boys and girls, setting the goal of singing at the service of the Church).

Andrew,

It's quite true that far too few musicians actually think of praying the Office (or the Mass) and singing as compatible, even though many will want their work called "liturgical service" or "ministry" or some-such.

Both (all),

Before one can sing Miserere by Allegri, convincingly chanting together on different notes, one should chant together on the same note. It seems logical that using the Office to teach 'staying together' can be a good use of it ...... and eventually, as Bonnie suggests, we get to pray the Office in song, as well as other benefits which will accrue to polyphonic singing.