When the monks of Heilegendreuz Abbey in Austria signed a recording contract with Universal Records, many had concerns about how their sacred chants would be marketed. Some of the younger men of the abbey worried that they would be portrayed as a “boy group”.
A boy group?
Yeah a boy group.
While the monks say Universal was sensitive to their concerns, the resulting CD has had boy band worthy success. Chant: Music For The Soul 
In the liner notes, Abbot Gregor Henckel Donnersmarck writes, “when the monks sing, the chant opens our hearts.” Almost like: when boy bands sing, the songs open teenage girls’ hearts?
No, probably not.
While Universal hasn’t released any sales figures, it’s safe to say that the Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz are raking in the dough.
But do they spend their new found fortune like a boy band would? Cars, booze, girls? No, not exactly. They are using the proceeds to support priests in training who come to the abbey.
“We don’t sing to become rich or famous, and we don’t sing to sing well,” said Rev. Karl Wallner. “We sing to praise God.”
Yeah, well how do you explain the new big-screen TV in the dining hall Wallner?
Just kidding.
Read the original AP article here.
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