Vocal training
At the Académie Musicale de Liesse, the singers are divided into several vocal ensembles, each led by different choir directors as needed. Each boy sings between 5 and 8 hours a week.
Between 20 and 30 concerts are given during the school year and on tour, in prestigious venues — the Royal Chapel of the Palace of Versailles, the churches of La Madeleine, Saint-Roch and Saint-Étienne-du-Mont in Paris — as well as in village and small-town churches.
Each evening, from Monday to Thursday, Vespers are sung by one of the choirs and broadcast live from the basilica of Notre-Dame de Liesse.
The choirs of the Academy
The Tutti choir
It brings all the singers together for large-scale works (Masses, cantatas, motets…).
Usually conducted by Mr Modde and/or Mr Châtillon, and sometimes of guest choir directors such as Edward Higginbottom.
The treble choir
It brings together the boys of the pre-choir school and the collège choir school whose voices have not yet broken.
Conducted by Mr Tyldesley.
The lower-voice choir
It brings together the boys whose voices have broken.
Usually conducted by a senior boy from the choral-conducting class.
Small ensembles, soloists, and advanced training
For certain occasions, small vocal ensembles may be formed.
Solo singing is also regularly practised.
Vocal work is assessed each term by the teachers and choir directors.
Vocal work is strengthened by masterclasses in vocal technique.
A choral-conducting class is open to volunteer students: the most deserving may conduct at certain concerts.
Training is enriched by masterclasses with international choir directors.
