A very special concert will take place this March 14 in the recently superbly-renovated Radio France music auditorium. The professional musicians from the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra and college students from three “Orchestre à l’Ecole” (orchestra at school) will unite to play together Antonin Dvorak’s New World symphony.

The Orchestre à l’Ecole classes, supported by Vivendi Create Joy, are a French initiative that encourages group playing of a music instrument. Three groups, from Sorgues (Vaucluse), Livron-Loriol (Drôme) and Gorron (Mayenne), ie 90 students in total, have been selected for this ambitious project. Following a joint workshop in January, final rehearsals take place this week directed by Adrien Perruchon before the big concert! Three other Orchestre à l’Ecole, from Evron (Mayenne), Evry (Essonne) and Poissy (Yvelines) will also play at Radio France, right before the main concert.

 Orchestre à l’Ecole is beneficial to the students in many respects: they learn what hard work means, but also individual practice to the benefit of the group, discipline, the ability to listen to others, patience, respecting the other, accepting authority, mutual help and solidarity. The youngsters regain self-confidence and self-esteem through the orchestra, are put into the limelight and will be left with unforgettable memories for all their life.

Vivendi Create Joy supports initiatives which help teenagers achieve their full potential through Vivendi’s activities.. Since 2008 Vivendi Create Joy has supported the creation of over 40 such Orchestre à l’Ecole classes in colleges, all over France.


Des orchestres à l’école à Radio France from Orchestre à l’École on Vimeo.