In most monastic communities today, little distinction exists between the lay brothers and the choir monks.

Once the obedientiaries and choir monks had passed, it should not be difficult to worm his way in among the boys without being noticed.

Accordingly they mustered all hands to the work, choir monks and servants, and all the novices except the schoolboys.

St. John's choir monks were to be pure contemplatives and to this end he introduced the system of lay-brothers who were to attend to the secular business.

The community there had about 60 choir monks at that time.

By 1381 there were only fourteen choir monks, three lay brothers and the abbot left at Rievaulx, and some buildings were reduced in size.

These were the choir monks, or real monks.

Peasants, sons could become lay brothers in Cistercian houses, but it was probably not common for them to take the habit as choir monks.

This Wurttemberg abbey had seventy choir monks and more than a hundred and three brethren.

Cadfael shared the night watch with Brother Rhun, newest and youngest among the choir monks.