Freephone: +44 208 772 6446
January 29, 2024
French ensembles in this beautiful part of Normandy are sharing performing experiences and forging new friendships with young musicians from the UK.
Our musicians are sharing the stage in some wonderful venues. These include a 12th century castle, a memorial site alongside the Normandy Landing Beaches, and an historic crypt.
An area of outstanding beauty, on their tour our students can stay in a 16th century chateau with large rehearsal rooms, a theatre and chapel or in a purpose-built centre in the grounds of a spectacular 18th century chateau. There is also a budget-friendly centre in the town of Orbec.
During their tour, excursions include visits to Hornfleur, Deauville, Lisieux, the Château Guillaume-le-Conquérant in Falaise and even a day trip to Paris. We create these tours in partnership with specialist concert promoter Chris George from Musique Anglo-Normande.
Chris says: “Having completed our first year of music tours to our beautiful Pays d'Auge, it has been quite magical to see the collaborative concerts come to fruition. We aim to connect visiting UK school music ensembles with the many youth ensembles in our region.
“In addition to organising music tours, we hold teaching positions at the Lisieux Conservatoire, Ecole de Musique d'Honfleur, Ecole de Musique Terre d'Auge, and the Conservatoire de Pont Audemer. Through these establishments we can organise joint concerts, bringing English young musicians alongside their French counterparts.
“Sometimes this has been on the basis of a full-blown collaboration, combining chamber orchestras to create full symphony orchestras, or mass choirs, with repertoire prepared in advance by everyone involved. Other times this has simply been on the basis of sharing a concert, with social drinks and nibbles. “Thanks to this approach, we have been delighted to guarantee packed audiences, and have gradually built up links with some interesting performance venues.
“A highlight last summer was the series of concerts we held at Chateau Canon, one of the architectural gems of the Pays d'Auge, entitled 'Soirees Illuminees'. The visiting UK orchestras, bands, and choirs performed in front of the chateau as the sun set, and local families brought picnics to enjoy on the lawn with the music, followed by marshmallow roasting and a guided tour of the gardens which are all lit up creatively. This event is held every Tuesday and Thursday in July each year, so there is plenty of opportunity for us to involve many more groups in the future.”
Click on the links for more details of our Normandy school music tours and our school music tours to Pays d'Auge, or give our friendly team a call on Freephone 0800 496 4996.
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