Conversation so far:
What was the Choir of King's College, Cambridge early history?
The original statutes specified that the choir should consist of ten chaplains, six clerks (lay singers) and sixteen choristers who were to be poor and needy boys, of sound condition and honest conversation ... knowing competently how to read and sing.
Why did the original statues that specified that the choir should consist of ten chaplains, six clerks and sixteen choristers have to be poor and needy boys?
Perhaps recognizing the workload placed upon the choristers who were to sing Matins, Mass and Vespers daily.

Question: why is that?
Self-contained rewrite: why Perhaps recognized the workload placed upon the choristers who were to sing Matins, Mass and Vespers daily?