2024-08-14 11:30:01
Bernard Geffroy
Published on
This year, the Symphonic Stars Festival, organized by the Little Symphonic Hands association, celebrates its tenth anniversary. For its 10th birthday, the festival will offer exactly fifty-three free concerts over twelve days, until August 23, 2024, within a forty-kilometer radius of Verneuil-sur-Avre (Eure).
“This original musical event gives an hour of free rein to children; the audience attends not for specific works, but primarily to listen to young talents, as the program is not indicated in the schedule,” recalls Éric du Faÿ, founder and artistic director of the Little Symphonic Hands, who will gather no less than 350 young musicians aged 6 to 24 this year.
Different venues
The concerts take place in various venues (churches, companies, retirement homes, public squares…) allowing locals to rediscover their region while enjoying the creativity of young performers.
The repertoire, derived from the children’s choices and approved by the professors of the Little Symphonic Hands association, ranges from singing to chamber music, from instrumental ensembles to Big Bang Jazz, from harmony to piano orchestras, and string Camerata.
In addition to young people from all over France, the festival will welcome this year the Spanish orchestra Sedajazz Kids Band. To put it frankly: this young formation, originating from Valencia, sets the standard in Spain in terms of jazz and fusion.
Inclusivity
Another cardinal value championed by Éric du Faÿ is inclusivity. In short, any audience member wishing to lend their voice, whether a private individual or a member of a local choir, even a non-professional one, can once again join the Ephemeral Choir of the Little Symphonic Hands in the palette village in Bâlines (Eure). Daily rehearsals are on the agenda so that everyone can perform, regardless of age or level, during the closing concert in Verneuil.
As for those with an itch to dance, they are welcome in the evening at the Moulin de Bâlines on August 21, 2024 for the eagerly awaited concert by the Academy’s professors starting at 8:30 PM, followed by a dance dedicated to the festival’s 10th anniversary (reservation required).
Concert in the forest…
For this 10th anniversary, several highlights. Notably, a concert on Wednesday, August 21 at the Rond d’Orléans, deep in the Breteuil forest (Eure)! “Horse-drawn carriages with Percheron horses will be available for those who wish! Let’s experience this unique musical adventure together, away from screens and modern technology. The acoustic instruments will resonate beautifully in this natural setting, offering a magical and memorable ambiance for all participants. It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy live music and reconnect with nature,” enthuses Éric du Faÿ.
In Verneuil itself, there will be three highlights. Besides the opening concert at 7 PM on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at the church of la Madeleine, there will be a dinner-concert on Friday, August 16, 2024 at the Francheville community hall (reservations: www.petitesmainssymphoniques.com or 06 68 30 51 40).
Giant concert
To beautifully wrap up this festival, the grand closing concert will take place at Place de la Madeleine in Verneuil on Friday, August 23, 2024, starting at 6:30 PM. “The pinnacle of the festival, this concert brings together on stage the Petites Mains Symphoniques orchestra, accompanied by invited orchestras, forming a monumental ensemble of over 350 children from all corners of the globe!” announces Éric du Faÿ.
The orchestra will present a musically diverse repertoire, ranging from masterworks like Saint-Saëns’ Bacchanale and the overture from Carmen, to electro-symphonic and Latin American pieces.
A highly anticipated event, this concert attracts an ever-increasing audience, surpassing 3,500 spectators last year.
THE PROGRAM
Wednesday, August 14
6:00 PM – Vlaminck Concert – Maurice Vlaminck District – Verneuil-sur-Avre
7:00 PM – Opening concert – Sainte-Madeleine church – Verneuil-sur-Avre
9:30 PM – Concert and fireworks – Francheville
Thursday, August 15
12:30 PM – Apéro-concert – Moulin de Bâlines – Bâlines
2:00 PM – Brocante Gueule d’enfer – Verneuil d’Avre et d’Iton
6:30 PM – Saint-Pierre church – Chéronvilliers
6:30 PM – Saint-Just church – Bourth
6:30 PM – Saint-Gilles church – La Neuve-Lyre
7:00 PM – Château de Chambray – Gouville (Mesnils-sur-Iton)
Friday, August 16
12:30 PM – Apéro-concert – Moulin de Bâlines – Bâlines
6:00 PM – Château de Courteilles – Chaise-Dieu-du-Theil
6:30 PM – Saint-Lambert church – Gournay-le-Guérin
7:00 PM – Saint-Anne church – La Saucelle
8:00 PM – Dinner-concert – Francheville community hall (reservation: www.petitesmainssymphoniques.com or 06 68 30 51 40)
Saturday, August 17
12:30 PM – Apéro-concert – Moulin de Bâlines – Bâlines
6:00 PM – Saint-Pierre church – La Vieille-Lyre
6:00 PM – Under the 14th-century Halles – La Ferrière-sur-Risle
6:00 PM – Château de Tubœuf – Saint-Michel-Tubœuf
8:00 PM – Translyre Company Z.A Château-Thierry – RN 12 – Verneuil-sur-Avre
Sunday, August 18
12:30 PM – Apéro-concert – Moulin de Bâlines – Bâlines
6:00 PM – Château d’Hellenvilliers – Mesnils-sur-Iton
Monday, August 19
12:30 PM – Apéro-concert – Moulin de Bâlines – Bâlines
6:00 PM – Quays of the Risle – Saint-Sulpice-sur-Risle
6:30 PM – Saint-Hilaire church – Tillières-sur-Avre
6:30 PM – La Motte Féodale – Avrilly – Chambois
7:00 PM – Saint-Martin church – Cintray
7:00 PM – Saint-Jacques-des-Essarts church – Marbois
Tuesday, August 20
12:30 PM – Apéro-concert – Moulin de Bâlines – Bâlines
6:00 PM – Dame-Marie church – Saint-Marie-d’Attez
6:30 PM – Saint-Nicolas church – La Ferté-Vidame
6:30 PM – Château de l’Écureuil – Rugles
7:30 PM – Louviers Farm – Le Louvier – Bâlines
Wednesday, August 21
12:30 PM – Apéro-concert – Moulin de Bâlines – Bâlines
5:30 PM – Breteuil forest – Rond d’Orléans – Rourte du Hamelet – Les-Baux-de-Breteuil
7:00 PM – The Barn of the Moulin Farm – Maillebois
7:00 PM – Town Hall Mesnils-sur-Iton – Liberation – Mesnils-sur-Iton
7:00 PM – Saint-Sulpice church – Breteuil-sur-Iton
8:30 PM – Concert by the Professors in the evening at the Moulin de Bâlines, followed by a dance to celebrate the festival’s 10th anniversary
Thursday, August 22
12:30 PM – Apéro-concert – Moulin de Bâlines – Bâlines
3:00 PM – Maurice Juillet Residence (private) – Verneuil-sur-Avre
5:00 PM – Town Hall park – Verneuil-sur-Avre
6:00 PM – Sainte-Suzanne chapel (Notre-Dame du Désert) – Les Baux-de-Breteuil
6:30 PM – Château de Livet – Beaufai
7:00 PM – Saint-Denis church – Piseux
The village of symphonic palettes in Bâlines
For the 4th consecutive year, the Village of Symphonic Palettes will be held at the Moulin de Bâlines from August 14 to 22. Composed of straw bales and reclaimed palettes, the village is based on the principles of recycling and reusing natural materials.
This village will be animated every day between 11 AM and 4 PM, with concerts, conferences, and interactive workshops. “Thus, the apéro-concerts have become convivial, family-friendly gatherings shared with our audience, contributing to weaving links between music, culture, and the entire community,” suggests the artistic director.
Within this village, also discover the large format exhibit Fragile Earth by photographer Patrick Forget.
Friday, August 23
6:30 PM – Opening part of the closing concert – Place de la Madeleine – Verneuil-sur-Avre
8:00 PM – Concert by the symphonic orchestra – Place de la Madeleine – Verneuil-sur-Avre
More info: www.petitesmainssymphoniques.com :
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Future Trends in Musical Festivals: A Symphony of Inclusivity and Innovation
The recent celebration of the Festival des Étoiles symphoniques, marking a decade of bringing together young talent and community, highlights several emerging trends likely to shape the future of musical festivals.
Embracing Inclusivity
As witnessed at this year’s festival, the focus on inclusivity is set to gain momentum. Festivals are beginning to encourage participation beyond traditional performers, enabling local community members, irrespective of skill level, to join in through initiatives like the Chœur éphémère. This model fosters a sense of belonging and creates a unique cultural tapestry, which could redefine audience engagement in festivals moving forward.
Community-Centric Programming
Regional outreach is a critical trend reflected in the varied locations of the festival’s performances, including churches and public spaces. This approach not only revives local heritage but also connects communities through shared musical experiences. Festivals that adopt a community-centric approach can expect to build stronger local ties while cultivating a loyal base of festival-goers.
Innovation in Venue Selection
Innovative venue choices, such as outdoor concerts in nature, represent a progressive shift in how music is experienced. The incorporation of natural settings, like the forêt de Breteuil, elevates the sensory experience, merging environmental beauty with musical art. This trend may lead many festivals to explore unconventional venues that enhance attendee engagement through immersive experiences.
Diverse Musical Offerings
The rich variety of genres showcased at the festival—from chamber music to jazz ensembles—signals a growing acceptance for musical diversity. Future festivals will likely continue to expand their repertoires, integrating various world music influences and genres, thus appealing to broader audiences and enriching the cultural dialogue.
Interactive Experiences and Sustainability
With sustainability becoming ever more critical, events like the Village Palettes Symphoniques, which emphasize recycling and community involvement, demonstrate a shift towards eco-friendly practices. Future festivals are expected to embrace interactive educational experiences, raising awareness around ecological issues while providing entertaining programming that resonates with audiences.
Technological Integration
As technology evolves, the integration of digital tools in festivals, such as augmented reality experiences and live-streamed events, will likely become commonplace. These innovations can enhance audience participation and accessibility, allowing fans who cannot attend in person to enjoy live performances from afar.
In conclusion, as music festivals like the Festival des Étoiles symphoniques evolve, the focus on inclusivity, community engagement, diverse offerings, sustainability, and technological enhancements will shape their future, creating a more vibrant and interconnected music culture.