Gerzat International Choral Singing Festival

The Musicales de Gerzat: An International Choral Festival

Since 2006, the Association Notes et des Lyres (ANDL) of Gerzat has organized the Musicales de Gerzat each year, an international music event whose International Choral Singing Festival is the highlight. Over the years, the festival has established itself as a major event in the choral scene in Auvergne and beyond.

Three Pillars for a Unique Festival

The Musicales de Gerzat are based on three complementary pillars:

• International Choral Singing Festival: Choirs from France and abroad (Brazil, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Estonia...) gather at the Cornillon Theater for thematic concerts – medieval and Renaissance music, sacred music, world music, women's voices, contemporary repertoire.
• Workshops and Conferences: Vocal technique workshops, introduction to overtone singing, percussion for singing, conferences on inclusive choral practice.
• Instrumental Academy: Advanced workshops for harmony orchestra musicians (oboe, flute, trombone, saxophone).

A Spirit of Sharing and Discovery

The Gerzat International Choral Singing Festival is distinguished by its philosophy of sharing. Far from any competition, the event favors the discovery of different sound worlds and musical sharing in a friendly spirit. Each choir performs alone on stage, then all ensembles gather under the direction of each choirmaster to perform a common song, creating a unique moment of emotion.

ANDL: A Unifying Association

ANDL brings together three musical ensembles: the choir Canta Limanha (traditional repertoire), the choir Volca'Vocal (contemporary repertoire), and the Harmony Orchestra, all conducted by Fabien Planchon. The association has about 60 musicians and 20 volunteers. It has undertaken international tours, notably in the Czech Republic (2011, 2016) and Estonia for the Laulupidu festival (2019).

The festival also includes an artisanal market and convivial evenings, complementing the musical offerings with a festive and human dimension.