Aux Chœurs du Tarn — Departmental Choral Singing Meetings

Aux Chœurs du Tarn: The Celebration of Amateur Choral Singing

The Departmental Choral Singing Meetings, known as Aux Chœurs du Tarn, are a unique event in the Tarn cultural landscape. Organized by the ADDA du Tarn (Departmental Agency for the Development of Arts and Culture), these annual meetings make Sorèze the ephemeral capital of amateur choral singing in the department.

One Weekend, 21 Concerts, One Shared Passion

In June, Sorèze vibrates to the rhythm of voices. The 2025 edition brought together no less than 21 concerts over two days, showcasing amateur choirs from all over the Tarn department. Each ensemble brings its repertoire and sensitivity: secular and sacred polyphony, traditional Occitan songs, world music, classical or contemporary repertoire — diversity is at the heart of the event.

These meetings are above all a space for sharing and valuing the work accomplished throughout the year by dozens of volunteer choristers. For many, it is an opportunity to perform on stage in front of an enthusiastic and supportive audience, in a setting that gives their performances a special resonance.

The Cité de Sorèze, an Exceptional Historic Setting

The choice of Sorèze as the venue for the meetings is no accident. The Cité de Sorèze houses the Sorèze abbey-school, founded by the Benedictines in the 8th century and made famous as one of France's most prestigious educational institutions under the direction of the Dominicans in the 19th century. Its cloisters, state rooms, and green spaces form a setting of incomparable beauty for choral concerts.

Classified as a historic monument, the Sorèze abbey-school is today a vibrant cultural site, hosting concerts, exhibitions, and events throughout the year. The natural acoustics of its interior spaces and the majesty of its locations make it an ideal setting for choral singing.

ADDA du Tarn: A Key Player in Tarn's Culture

The ADDA du Tarn is the public agency responsible for animating and developing cultural life throughout the department. It supports amateur artistic practices, promotes the diffusion of performing arts in rural communities, and organizes several emblematic events, including the Departmental Choral Singing Meetings and the festival Un Été dans le Tarn.

The ADDA works in close collaboration with the department's choral associations, supporting them in their artistic development, training, and networking. The Departmental Meetings are the visible culmination of this annual support: they allow choristers to meet, exchange, and perform together in an atmosphere of conviviality and artistic emulation.

Completely Free Access

One of the major assets of the Departmental Meetings is their total freeness. All concert entries are free, allowing everyone to enjoy this musical richness without financial constraints. This commitment to universal access to culture is a fundamental value of the ADDA du Tarn and the Department.

The public is invited to wander freely between the stages, to sit and listen to a choir, and then move to another concert in another corner of the Cité. The festive and relaxed atmosphere that prevails over these two days encourages exchanges between artists and spectators, making the Meetings as much a social event as a musical one.

A Community-Rooted Event

Aux Chœurs du Tarn is more than just a music festival: it is a civic and solidarity event, celebrating the vitality of the Tarn's associative fabric and the commitment of hundreds of volunteers who practice choral singing out of love for music. In a department with many active choirs, these meetings represent a strong moment of belonging to a living and generous cultural community.