a choir from Gironde in the running to be elected best choir in France

Friday December 27, France 3 broadcasts a new issue of the “Grand competition of the regions” to nominate the best choir in France. The show is presented by Cyril Féraud and is recorded at the Palais Royal in Kirrwiller (Bas-Rhin). Vincent Niclo, Laurent Luyat, Magali Ripoll and Adeline Toniutti form the jury.

Sing Out will represent New Aquitaine. At the helm of this two-headed ensemble: Célia Marissal and Mathieu Grenier Bennaim. The first works in Bordeaux, while the second takes care of the Dieulivol group (Entre-deux-Mers), where he lived as a child. The two choirs merge in Sing Out. Meeting with Mathieu Grenier Bennaim, who also created, in 2015 in Dieulivol, the La Made association, offering cultural development and support for musical emergences in the region and in the countryside. The Sing Out choir is one of them.

How were you selected for “The Best Choir of France”?

It was one of our Parisian contacts, who works for “The Voice” style shows who called us. With the two groups from Bordeaux and Dieulivol, there are 75 singers this year… But there are only 42 of us left to film the show, which was already not bad in terms of logistics!

How did this selection take place?

We all arrived Monday evening in Kirwiller with a fourteen-hour bus journey… We all slept together in a large youth hostel. And Tuesday morning, we were all hands on deck for rehearsals and the show filmed live with an audience. We therefore had no room for error, we had to be demanding and give the best of ourselves. For five minutes of fame, that's twelve hours of waiting… It was also important to be able to confront the singers of Sing Out with all that.

Who are the singers of Sing Out?

Singing veterans, who are semi-professional, or amateurs, or in singing training and who are going to be musicians behind, or who already are a little and who are starting to make their musical life. In short, different people, which makes a very dynamic group, because we also mix all generations, with several levels.

What titles did you choose for the competition?

The producers asked us to prepare two songs, since the ten selected choirs all had one song to sing, and a second if they were selected. For our first title, we chose “Bang Bang” by British singer Jessie J. The idea was to breathe a little dynamism and modernity into this television competition. And then we prepared London Grammar's 'Strong', in case we were selected for a second visit.

What difference does it make to be on this show?

We'll wait and see after Friday. At the moment, there is still a kind of enthusiasm, both from the singers and from potential new recruits, who want to join us. The idea is to create a second choir. So we're happy if there are people there and if it resonates locally.

“The Best Choir of France”, the major regional competition, Friday December 27 at 9:05 p.m. on France 3 and on france.tv.