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It's not every day that primary school pupils sing at the Sorbonne! Here's a look back at a unique concert, dedicated to the Paris 2024 Games, which brought the old walls of the prestigious university to life.
On the afternoon of December 14th, 2023 the university's impressive auditorium welcomed 550 students from schools all over Paris for a special show. Facing the a famous university fresco, 17 4th and 5th grade classes displayed a lively mosaic of Olympic colored T-shirts.
From the very first notes, the young choristers set the auditorium's gilded ceiling abuzz with songs celebrating the world of sport and its values, from Calogero's "Du courage" to Claude Nougaro's "Quatre boules de cuir" and Jean-Jacques Goldman's "Au bout de mes rêves".
On stage, groups of students followed one another, accompanied by musicians - music teachers from the City of Paris - playing various instruments.
A joyous occasion
As the choirmaster conducted each song, the children sitting in the audience also joined in. The performances were enhanced by instrumental pieces performed by the City of Paris teachers (PVP).
As the songs played out, the amphitheater came alive with an effervescent atmosphere. Carried away by the rhythm, improvised dances sprung up. Emotions ran high when La Marseillaise was interpreted through sign language.
Later on, up to 200 students took turns on stage in different groups. Parents, came to applaud them, filled up the remaining seats.
Opening the show, Sophie Fady-Cayrel, Director of School Affairs for the City of Paris, emphasized the importance of the event, which was part of a joint effort by City of Paris music education teachers and schoolteachers. "The City's educational project places great emphasis on arts and sports. The prospect of the Games offers us a great opportunity to bring these two disciplines together in this exceptional setting ", she declared.
City of Paris teachers share their musical talents
Credit
Laurent Bourgogne, Ville de Paris
A jovial vocal experience!
Credit
Laurent Bourgogne, Ville de Paris
On stage for the evening concert
Credit
Laurent Bourgogne, Ville de Paris
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Working together
"Seeing the children so happy to sing is very gratifying," enthuses Sandrine Rouet. The City of Paris project coordinator praised the pupils work as well as the music and school teachers, who put in considerable effort to master the songs over a very limited amount of time. Over the summer, three musicians, Olivier Maquet, Baptiste Brice and Frédéric Boivin, arranged the selection of songs for the children.
Frédéric Boivin emphasized the importance of working with school teachers, without whom this work would not have been possible: "The teachers fully participated in the event, helping the children to learn lyrics while explaining their meaning. Total commitment was required as the time frame was quite short."
"The event, a musical education showcase, demonstrates that these professionals are also musicians," he continues. "Every participant volunteered to take part in this operation. This creates an atmosphere where the pleasure of meeting up and playing together is palpable," adds Baptiste Brice.
For Olivier Maquet, performing live music in such an exceptional venue is "a challenge, a great moment of sharing and an extraordinary experience for the children. We really enjoyed making it happen". Parents could also join in the fun which reached its peak at the end of the show with Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" and "Long Live the Wind", to great acclaim. With the Olympic Games just around the corner, emotions ran high!
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