FR24Co CAE - Singing

After a few words of welcoming by the Principal of the Collège Boris Vian in the theatre lobby, the participants met Nathalie Manceau, the artistic director of the 6-hour workshop on the main stage of Dunkerque theatre. Nathalie, choirdirector of the rock choir "Salt and Pepper" and director of the vocal collective "ELLES" since 2019, always tries to explore new pathways.

The theatre control room was at our disposal with lights and music. We started our singing workshop by rediscoveringour speaking and singing voice through breathing exercises. We learnt that there are three elements involved in singing: breathing, voice production and resonance. We practised these three elements. After these first training exercises, westarted warming-up our voices on Gospel songs (Happy days, Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho) and other modern or traditional songs.

The second part of the workshop was dedicated to practising songs from each partner country, either solo or in chorus. They had selected two songs and sent them to N. Manceau a few days before the activity. From Ta paidia tou Peiraia(Greece), to V dolinàch (Slovakia) or Las Vegas in the hills of Donegal (Ireland), Che Sera,(Italy) , La  Guadeloupéenne (Guadeloupe), each country had a chance to introduce and to share a part of their musical culture.Thesong chosen by France :A Dunkerque, quand vient le carnaval  was actually in preparation for the activity of the weekend: the carnival of Dunkerque, a strong and vivid local tradition in the city. 

At the end of our singing workshop day, we performed live in front of Lilou (the Bateau Feu communication manager)who was the organizer of the day.

The participants experienced a high quality collective and convivial activity , accessible to all . It allowed everyone to overcome their preconceptions about their own abilities and improve their self-confidence. The cohesion between the partners of the RespectOl project was effective, powerful, moving and joyful. Singing together, sharing musical culture and traditions helped create new bonds.

The working method was retained by the partners as an example of reusable educational practice with students, especially as a preparation for an oral presentation (breathing, voice production and resonance).