It’s a great idea that was born in Pons in Charente-Maritime thirty-five years ago: bringing together virtuosos from all over the world to create an ephemeral symphony orchestra for a summer week. In Niort, it is the OVNi (Niort Wind Orchestra) which puts to music once every two years the Deux-Sévrian variation of the Eurochestries. The tenth edition will be held from July 4 to 9, 2024 in the department.
Nearly 130 young musicians from Spain, Mexico and Brazil will rehearse all week in Niort to prepare for the big concert for festival-goers which will be held on July 9 at the Moulin du Roc under the direction of Yves Bouillot. In the meantime, the various ensembles and orchestras will perform free of charge in dozens of municipalities.
As with each edition, the Eurochestries are calling on goodwill to welcome these young virtuosos during their stay in Niort. “We have a pool of faithful to renewexplains Fabien Bonnet, member of the organization. We are still missing around forty host families for this 2024 edition.”
A rich cultural exchange for a symbolic fee
The organizers offer a rich cultural exchange in exchange for a symbolic fee (20 euros per musician for breakfast costs, one place per young person welcomed for the final concert and an invitation to dinner during the big closing party at the Chey farm ). The interests of volunteer families are anything but financial. “The motivations are very diverse, confides Fabien Bonnet. There is a real exchange with these young people who are discovering our country and its culture. » A win-win exchange which has many attractions and some constraints. “Families must welcome at least two young musicians to prevent them from feeling isolated, explains Fabien Bonnet. You must also be available from Wednesday July 3, at the end of the afternoon, to welcome them to the Secular Patronage of Niort and make dinner the evening of their arrival. »
Then the host families provide overnight stays and breakfasts until July 10 or 11 depending on the festival-goers’ return dates. They undertake to take the young people welcomed at 8:45 a.m. to the Secular Patronage hall in Niort, the location of daily rehearsals. Every day, around 5 p.m., the musicians leave by bus to the town where they must perform in the evening in concert with their own band. Families must find them when they return to Secular Patronage.
Contact. Elisabeth Maquin. Such. 06.86.13.49.99.
Around thirty free concerts
> Thursday July 4 at 8:30 p.m. In Vouillé (multipurpose room), in Saint-Symphorien (town hall park), in Prahecq (salle de la Voûte), in Magné (Saint-Catherine church), in Mauzé-sur-le-Mignon (church), Aigondigné Mougon (church).
> Friday July 5 at 8:30 p.m. In Coulonges-sur-l’Autize (castle park), in Aigondigné Thorigné (village hall), in Beauvoir-sur-Niort (church), in Saint-Gélais (church), in Cherveux (church).
> Saturday July 6 in Niort. Town Hall at 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Moulin du roc lawn at 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
> Sunday July 7 at 6 p.m. In Niort (Moulin du Roc lawn), in Ardin (church), in Lezay (cinema), in Saint-Christophe-sur-Roc (church), in Châtillon-sur Thouet (church).
> Monday July 8 at 8:30 p.m. In Tallud (Vernière site), in Échiré (Baratte room), in Saint-Pardoux-Soutiers (rural home), in Aigondigné Aigonnay (vestuary hall), in Allone (church), in Saint-Léger-de -la-Martinière (church).
> Tuesday July 9 at the Moulin du Roc in Niort at 8:30 p.m. Concert of festival-goers with the international symphony.
Entrance: €12. Such. 05.49.77.32.32.
