Choralies 2025 – a first hand account of the largest choral event in Europe
Sing for Pleasure was founded over 60 years ago, after a visitation to the UK by members of the French organisation À Cœur Joie. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed a close relationship with ACJ, welcoming tutors and singers to Summer School, and many of our members have been lucky enough to attend their ‘Choralies‘, which takes place every three years. 2025 saw the 25th edition of the festival and SfP member Clive Widger sent us this evocative report – we’re certain you’ll want to get it in your diary for 2028!
“2025 was my third time of attending Choralies. Thousands of people attend the event which takes place in Vaison La Romaine in the South of France – a beautiful setting famous for its Roman ruins, amphitheatre, cobbled streets and surrounding hills.
This year, as in every year, there was a choice of 50 workshops which take place every morning – some lasting the full 8 days with a performance at the end, others 4 days, and some just 1 day. The workshops are led by internationally renowned conductors and are offered at all levels from beginner to advanced – there really is something for everyone! This year I signed up for ‘Make your own Cinema’. The conductor had put together a montage made up of clips from various films. Our job was to colour it with singing, speaking (I left that to the French speakers!) and sound made with voice. Our leader was amazing – very talented, artistic and with great vision. The music chosen matched the montage perfectly. At one point we watched the screen and followed the conductor on the film! My workshop was 8 days and our concert on the final afternoon of Choralies was sold out.
You always meet interesting people – on our course were some young singers from China – extremely gifted and talented. For their choir, perfect pitch was a requirement (!) and it took them a short while to adjust to singers whose pitch wasn’t perfect. We also got to see them perform in an evening concert – more of that later. The experience of singing with people from around the world is just wonderful. (I’m for ever grateful to Sylvain from Paris, who I befriended 3 years ago who translates for me in the workshop. Without him I’d be seriously struggling!).
There were many concerts of all sorts going on every afternoon. As I had signed up for an 8 day workshop, this entitled me to 5 tickets to concerts given by a range of French and International choirs, and really showing the vibrancy of the choral scene.
Another important part of the Choralies expierence is the restaurant, especially set up for the event which is housed under 2 giant marquees. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, some 2000 will attend each meal – quite an experience.
Each evening, I attended the Theatre Antique with some 4000 others. As the sun sets, each concert begins with an open singing session (chant commun). Singing with so many people is just so special. After this, we are treated to a concert featuring some of the finest ensembles on the international choral scene. Favorites for me were Moravski chamber choir from Kiyv, Ukraine, Yeti Choir from China (including our talented friends from my workshop), the World Youth Choir and Zero 8 (Swedish Male voice choir).
Half way through the festival, the Theatre Antique activities take an interlude and for one evening, we are treated to the Night of Choirs. 21 choirs perform free concerts in 7 venues around the town. Most are outside but one was in a brewery! I got to 3 and saw 8 different choirs. All very talented. Socialising takes place afterwards, as it does every evening, on the town square (Place Montfort).
After a fantastic 8 days in Vaison, it was straight to SfP’s Summer School for the Contemporary Pop Course, along with Singing for the Advanced Conductors along with the evening social events. We had a fantastic time!
As I write this, it emphasises once again what an important part music plays in my life, and how it brings us all together. All of this warms my heart, bringing a huge smile to my face and a few tears to my eyes. Life is good.
Would I recommend attending the next Choralies in 2028? You bet!! Do check out www.choralies/fr and if you’d like any more information, contact me via marketing@singforpleasure.org.uk.”
Clive Widger