Vocal training
At the Académie Musicale de Liesse, the singers are distributed among different vocal ensembles, each under the direction of different choir directors according to need. 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 places — 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 churches or those of small towns.
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 together all the singers for works requiring large forces (Masses, cantatas, motets…).
Usually placed under the direction of 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.
Placed under the direction of Mr Tyldesley.
The lower-voice choir
It brings together the boys whose voices have broken.
Usually placed under the direction of 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.
Formation is enriched by masterclasses directed by international choir directors.
