Maitrise de Nimes, Nîmes

The Maîtrise de Nîmes, created in 1990, gives a group of schoolboys and girls training in choir singing. Those children, ranging from the CM1 level (4th grade) to the terminale (12th grade) come from any of the schools in the area. Each student, depending on their level, takes between two and four hours of choral classes per week and in addition a full day’s practice one Sunday a month. The musical work is conducted by professional musicians. Artistic Director and Children’s Choir Director since 1998, Vincent Recolin is the principal instructor; he is responsible for all the Maîtrise work and for directing concerts. Philippe Reymond, Veronique Masset on the piano and Jean Marc Hebert, Pascal Stutzmann-Prouvost, ... assist him with the rehearsals. The children’s choir works in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts where rehearsals take place every Wednesday. The Maîtrise de Nîmes is managed by the Association Musique et Jeunesse de Nîmes. The Maîtrise de Nîmes is in regular contact with the Nîmes Academy of Music; joint programmes are organised either with instrumental classes or Academy of Music teachers.The Maîtrise de Nîmes gives around ten concerts every year, in France, in international festivals or abroad, generally together with a male choir for all polyphonic pieces. During concerts, the Maîtrise is most often accompanied by instrumental formations, which provides opportunities to meet and work alongside professional musicians. This is interesting and enriching as it contributes to the enthusiasm of each choir member. Bonds of friendship are thus formed, which helps to perpetuate contacts. The high quality musical education received by the children requires regular and rigorous practice. This allows them to build