We give the last A and soon, they will be on stage. Last straight line for the college students of Ducos-du-Hauron before their performance of “Indians are in the West”.
The Indians will be in the West… Or rather in Agen this Thursday, June 16th. Like every two years, outside the Covid period, students in classes with arranged musical schedules (CHAM) from Ducos-du-Hauron college and the conservatory will perform a musical at the Ducourneau theater.
Guided by Cathy Judit, professor of musical education, they will deliver their interpretation of the musical “The Indians are in the West” which was not chosen by chance.
“This year, Juliette was present in Agen on the occasion of the Vocal Folies”, explains Cathy Judit. “She’s the one who wrote this musical for a school in Paris. It was the perfect opportunity!” Created for the Créa structure in Aulnay-sous-Bois, it tells the story of François, a film enthusiast who is making a film about the American West. The students had also had the opportunity to deliver some excerpts to Juliette during a meeting on May 31st.
A first on the boards
“Mamma Mia”, “Les Miserables”, “The Nightmare Before Christmas”… Cathy Judit is not at her first attempt, unlike some of these students. “The third ones had already sung three years ago but for the other classes, it’s a first”. A first time that will have required professional work to be ready on time. “We worked hard to be ready,” continues Cathy Judit. “They interpret fourteen songs, all in polyphony. Juliette writes very well and the instruments do not take precedence over the voices. It was therefore necessary to have worked voices.”
Choirs, soloists, theatrical part, everyone has their little role to play in this musical tableau. Two other teachers are also taking part in the project. Sébastien Chevalier, visual arts teacher, in scenography and José Dagouassat, former French teacher, in staging. To accompany them on the boards, college students can also count on the professional musicians of the conservatory of Agen.
The last straight line
After months of work, it’s almost the end for the budding singers of CHAM. At 8:30 p.m. this Thursday, June 16, they will be in front of their public at Ducourneau… For two hours! “They are very excited and a little nervous, admits Cathy Judit. But they also really want to!”
This weekend again, no rest, they were rehearsing inside the conservatory to be ready on D-Day. “They are a little tired this morning but I am very confident”, continues the conductor of the project. And icing on the cake, the singer Juliette may be present in the room. “If her schedule allows it, she might come and see them!”. A coming that would be eagerly awaited by the students, who had already asked her the question when they had met her. A great consecration for these young singers.