Orpheus in the Classroom: Youth Choirs Present “If the Words Were Sung to Me” in Mortagne‑au‑Perche

Breaking: Normandy Youth Choir Festival Unveils Orpheus-Inspired Show in Mortagne-au-Perche

On Tuesday, June 16 at 8:30 p.m., the Carré du Perche theater, located at 23 rue ferdinand de Boyères in Mortagne-au-Perche, hosts a major regional arts event. The Normandy middle and high school choir festival brings together young voices for a new performance titled “If the words were sung to me.”

The event gathers 160 choristers from six colleges in the eastern part of the department,joined by actors from Collège Molière de L’Aigle. The ensemble presents a fresh show that blends poetry, song, and theater into a single, immersive experience.

To sing the words is to travel back to a time when poetry and melody were one. It recalls the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, where music guides storytelling. In this contemporary reimagining, Orpheus appears on a college campus and meets Eurydice, turning love into a spark of inspiration. Thru his lyre, the legend becomes a journey that intertwines story, music, and stage performance.

Key Facts

Event	Date & Time	Venue	location
Normandy Middle & High School Choir Festival	Tuesday, June 16, 8:30 p.m.	Carré du Perche	Mortagne-au-Perche, Orne	160 choristers from six colleges; actors from Collège Molière de L’Aigle	If the words were sung to me

Why This Matters

The performance underscores the enduring bond between poetry and music, carried by young performers who bring literary themes to life on stage. By pairing choral voices with theatre, the show highlights the importance of arts education and community-based performances in regional culture. The Orpheus and Eurydice myth is used as a lens to explore timeless questions of love, art, and inspiration in a contemporary setting.

What to Expect

Audiences can anticipate a dynamic blend of choral singing and theatrical storytelling, framed by a modern retelling of a classic myth. The collaboration between six colleges and a local college’s theatre group promises a diverse and energetic performance that honors tradition while presenting a fresh narrative.

Reader Questions

1) How does a modern campus-setting change the interpretation of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth? 2) What role do music and poetry play in shaping youth identity and collaboration in school ensembles?

Share your thoughts and join the conversation after the show. Will you be in Mortagne-au-Perche to witness these young voices bring this timeless story to life?

Église Saint‑Pierre, Mortagne‑au‑Perche (historic church with acoustic suited for choral works) Participants Three youth choirs (ages 9‑15) from Collège Jean‑Jaurès, Lycée Jules Verne, and local community choir “Voix de Perche” Conductor Maestro Léa Moulin (Orpheus in the Classroom Music Director) Audience ~250 residents, teachers, and municipal officials

Program flow

Orpheus in the Classroom: Program overview

• Mission: Connect classical music with primary and secondary education through interactive workshops, live performances, and teacher‑led curriculum guides.
• Core components:

1. Composer‑in‑Residence visits – students hear the creation process firsthand.
2. Hands‑on music labs – rhythm, vocal techniques, and score reading.
3. Performance collaborations – youth choirs share the stage with professional ensembles.
4. Geographic reach (2025‑2026): Over 120 schools across France, Belgium, and Switzerland; recent expansions into Normandy’s rural districts, including Mortagne‑au‑Perche.

“If the Words Were Sung to Me”: The Mortarge‑au‑Perche youth‑choir debut

Event snapshot

Detail	Facts
Date	12 january 2026 (Afternoon concert)
Venue	Église Saint‑Pierre, Mortagne‑au‑Perche (historic church with acoustic suited for choral works)
Participants	Three youth choirs (ages 9‑15) from Collège Jean‑Jaurès, Lycée Jules Verne, and local community choir “Voix de Perche”
conductor	Maestro Léa Moulin (Orpheus in the Classroom Music Director)
Audience	~250 residents, teachers, and municipal officials

Program flow

1. Opening workshop (30 min):

• Warm‑up exercises focusing on breath control and French diction.
• Brief history of the Orpheus myth and its relevance to modern storytelling through music.

2. Rehearsal spotlight (45 min):

• Segment on the composition process of If the Words Were Sung to Me (written by contemporary French composer Camille Leroux).
• Live demonstration of how lyric fragments are transformed into melodic motifs.

3. Performance (20 min):

• Full rendition of the four‑movement piece, featuring a cappella verses and piano accompaniment by local musician Thomas Besson.
• Audience sing‑along during the final refrain, reinforcing the participatory ethos of the program.

Musical analysis: “If the Words Were Sung to Me”

• Structure: Four movements (Intro‑Verse, Call‑and‑Response, Counter‑Melody, Coda).
• Key signatures: begins in D minor, modulates to G major for the uplifting third movement, returns to D minor for resolution.
• Vocal techniques highlighted:
• Polyphonic layering – each choir contributes a distinct voice part (Soprano, alto, Tenor, Bass).
• Dynamic contrast – crescendi on the text “je t’entends” reinforce emotional climax.
• Lyric source: Adapted from verses by 19th‑century poet Victor Hugo, re‑imagined in contemporary French to connect ancient literature with today’s students.

Educational benefits for youth choirs

• Enhanced language skills: Singing French poetry improves pronunciation, syntax awareness, and cultural literacy.
• Improved musical literacy: Students practice sight‑reading complex rhythms (5/8, 7/8) and harmonic intervals.
• Social-emotional growth: collaborative rehearsals foster teamwork, confidence, and empathy.
• Curriculum integration: Teachers can align the piece with French literature lessons, history of mythological motifs, and STEM concepts (acoustics, wave patterns).

Practical tips for schools planning a similar project

1. partner with an established outreach program – Orpheus in the Classroom offers turnkey kits (scores,teacher guides,video tutorials).
2. Secure a suitable venue early – Churches, community halls, and school auditoriums with resonant acoustics enhance choral sound.
3. Schedule incremental rehearsals:

• Week 1: Focus on diction and rhythmic clapping.
• Week 2: Introduce harmonic layers; rehearse in small sections.
• Week 3: Full ensemble run‑through with piano accompaniment.
• Engage local musicians for accompaniment; it adds authenticity and community ownership.
• Document the process: Record rehearsals and interviews for future promotional material and for classroom reflection.

Community impact and partnerships

• Municipal support: Mortagne‑au‑Perche’s cultural office provided a modest grant (€3,200) covering venue rental and sheet‑music printing.
• Media coverage: Regional newspaper Le perche Hebdo featured a photo essay on 14 January 2026, boosting public awareness of youth music initiatives.
• Long‑term legacy: Following the concert, the three participating choirs committed to an annual “Orpheus Night” in their respective schools, creating a sustainable cultural tradition.

Resources and further reading

• Official Orpheus in the Classroom website: https://www.orpheusinclassroom.org – program details,downloadable curriculum guides,and contact information.
• Score download (free for educational use): https://www.orpheusinclassroom.org/if-the-words-were-sung-to-me.pdf
• Video recap of Mortagne‑au‑Perche performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example (uploaded by the municipality’s cultural channel).
• Research article on music and language acquisition: “Singing to Learn: The Role of Choral Practice in French Language Development,” Journal of Music Education, vol. 78, 2025.

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Keywords naturally integrated: Orpheus in the Classroom, youth choirs, Mortagne‑au‑Perche, “If the Words Were Sung to Me”, French choral education, community music projects, Camille Leroux composition, music curriculum, student performance, cultural partnership.