Gerzat International Choral Singing Festival

Les Musicales de Gerzat: an international choral festival

Since 2006, the Association Notes et des Lyres (ANDL) of Gerzat has organized Les Musicales de Gerzat, an international musical event whose highlight is the International Choral Singing Festival. The event traditionally takes place during Ascension week, at the Cornillon Municipal Theatre. Over the editions, the festival has established itself as a major event in choral life in Auvergne and beyond.

Three pillars for a unique festival

Les Musicales de Gerzat are based on three complementary pillars:

• International Choral Singing Festival: choirs from France and abroad (Brazil, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Estonia, Congo, Turkey, Guadeloupe…) gather at the Cornillon Theatre 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 training courses for wind orchestra musicians (oboe, flute, trombone, saxophone).

A spirit of sharing and discovery

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

The ANDL: a unifying association

The ANDL brings together three musical groups: the Canta Limanha choir (traditional repertoire), the Volca'Vocal choir (contemporary repertoire), and the Wind Orchestra, all directed by Fabien Planchon. The association has approximately 60 musicians and 20 volunteers. It has undertaken international tours, notably in the Czech Republic (2011, 2016) and Estonia for the Laulupidu festival (2019). In 2025, the ANDL celebrated its 20th anniversary during the 16th edition of Les Musicales (from May 28 to June 1, 2025).

Next edition: 17th Les Musicales de Gerzat, from May 5 to 9, 2027

After the 16th edition in 2025, the ANDL has not scheduled an edition in 2026. The next edition announced on the official website is the 17th, scheduled from Wednesday, May 5 to Sunday, May 9, 2027, again during Ascension week.

The festival also includes a craft market and convivial evenings, complementing the musical offering with a festive and human dimension.