Final answer:
True, the significant number of medieval singers and composers linked to cathedrals and abbeys reflects the crucial role that religion played in France's music development. This period saw music as a major vehicle for religious practice and instruction, with the evolution of forms like Gregorian chant and polyphony, which were cultivated within religious institutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, the numbers of medieval singers and composers associated with cathedrals and abbeys are indeed indicative of the importance that religion played in the development of music in France. During the medieval era, music served as a primary means of religious instruction and communication. The Romanesque and Gothic periods saw the construction of grand cathedrals, which were not only centers of religious activity but also cultural hubs where music flourished. The Gregorian chant, a monophonic and sacred form, was prevalent in early medieval music. As the high medieval era progressed, polyphonic music began to develop with forms such as the Ars nova, and the latter part of the era saw an increase in secular music creation and distribution, partly due to the advent of the Gutenberg press. Music education in churches and cathedrals allowed for the training of numerous singers and composers, who were then employed across Europe, indicating the interplay between religion and musical development.