Lille Métropole
Purpose To provide a high quality English-language vocal group centred on the Région Nord in France, for entertainment functions, themed events, for raising charitable funds, etc. but also as an outlet for those who love to sing. Membership Membership is open to anyone able to attend rehearsals and wants to sing in English. Ability to demonstrate that you have previous choral experience would be useful.
The group is based on 4-part singing and so we aim to have a suitable balance of Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, Baritones and/or Basses. It is a truly “international” group and has members who come from France, England, Scotland, America, Australia, Holland, Canada, the Czech Republic and Sweden. Membership Fees Membership fees of 20€ per calendar year are levied upon each member to cover the cost of the purchase of music and other general running costs. Organisation The International Singers were formed at the Inaugural Meeting on Saturday 4 March 2006 is already able to boast over 30 members. The International Singers, Lille Métropole is registered as an association under the 1901 “Loi des Associations”. The Committee has up to six members, including three officers, Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. The Committee is elected annually, with the exception of the Musical Director who is automatically a member of the Committee. This election takes place at the annual meeting held in the first quarter of each year. The Chairman for 2006 is Simon Fletcher (18 Avenue du Général Leclerc, 59170, CROIX 03 20 98 95 34 or 00 44 77 71 82 73 35). The Group promotes links with other Associations in the North of France, such as the British Community Association, Lille, Christ Church, Lille, the Centre Culturel Britannique, Lille and the British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lille. Musical Direction The International Singers are delighted that Simon Fletcher, with his considerable musical and theatrical experience is leading the choir’s development. Having sung both as a professional and an amateur in solo and chorus performances in some of the world’s most famous venues — Notre Dame and Sacré Coeur in Paris; Cologne Cathedral; Royal Festival Hall, London; The Dome Theatre, Brighton – he has been performing since the age of 10. He also ran his own choir in the UK and has a particular passion for close harmony through all styles of vocal music. With experience in the world of acting through the medium of musical theatre, he has taken a number of leading and principle stage roles:  the Baker in Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim in January 2003  the role of Lamar in Godspell in 2001  Jean Valjean in a workshop production of excerpts from Les Miserables at the Palace Theatre, London  multi roles in a Spring 2000 production of the Chester Mystery Cycle Passion Plays with two amateur theatre companies in the UK  the Policeman in Whistle Down the Wind in 1999  Hines in The Pajama Game in 1998 Shortly after moving to France, a spell with the International Players in Paris led to a memorable performance as Bottom in the 2004 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare at the community theatre in Le Pecq on the outskirts of Paris. Simon’s first venture into theatrical production took place in 2002 when he was Assistant Director and a principle chorus member for a highly successful production of Return to the Forbidden Planet by Bob Carlton that played to packed houses and received rave reviews. This was followed by his directing debut in summer 2003 when he presented a youth production entitled Shake, Ripple ‘n’ Roll. He has also been Chorus Master and appeared in several pantomime productions with an amateur theatre company in Kent. Other performing experience was gained by working with a semi-professional chorale in Sussex, which performed a repertoire and to a style upon which the International Singers have modelled. This group performed a very wide array of music and was highly respected on the south coast. Further performances took place at a large number of venues around Kent with a band that performed typical dance music for dinners and raised a considerable amount of money for a Kent-based charity for the mentally disabled. Repertoire This is based upon the very best of traditional English music, musical theatre and middle-of-the-road “standards”, but can also extend to music such as traditional part songs and close harmony. In the early stages of its development, the International Singers are concentrating on a repertoire that offers audiences with a contrast of sounds and includes numbers from musical theatre as well as some traditional and well-known songs. Never ones to be sitting idly by, some of the Singers have established themselves as a barbershop quartet and have already appeared in Lille performing to entertain the guests at a shop opening. Musical Objectives Our initial objectives are modest whilst we find our style balance. Once established and we understand our capability in terms of range of music, it will be possible to develop individual vocal ability to create a really flexible and capable group. Towards this, the Singers are working on material that supports development of their repertoire but which is designed to stretch them musically (but not too much...)!
Rehearsals and Program Rehearsals have and continue to take place at the Ecole Active Bilingue Jeannine Manuel (EABJM) in Marcq-en-Baroeul. We are indebted to the school's Director for permitting us to use their premises. The singers meet once per month on a Saturday from 10.00 until 13.00. Spring 2006 - The Singers first months in existence were been busy and exciting. From small beginnings in March, through performances in Christ Church Lille and at the EABJM International School, the season was finished on a high note (literally, as the military band played the Marseillaise in a higher key than we were expecting!). We were very honoured to be invited to sing at the Citadelle in the presence of HRH Princess Anne and invited guests on a glorious summer evening; this event was part of the celebration of HM Queen Elizabeth's 80th birthday. The choir were delighted to make the acquaintance of the band of the 43rd Regiment who are resident in the Citadelle barracks in Lille. Major Vezier and his talented musicians have expressed their pleasure at working with the singers and hope that it is the start of a fruitful relationship. Winter 2006 - the dates for the last two months of the year are:  25 November - Rehearsal at EABJM 10h - 13h  7 or 8 December - Rehearsal at Christ Church Lille, time and date to be confirmed  16 December - Rehearsal at EABJM 10h - 13h  17 December - Traditional service of 9 lessons and carols at Christ Church, Lille
Informal Performances and Other Events Whilst the diary appears to present a very busy schedule, the International Singers are also available to make ad-hoc appearances from time to time: weddings, civic events, etc. Picking on items from our repertoire or indeed working on specific requests, we can provide the full choir for that “big” event or we can send a smaller number for the more intimate venue. Charging Policy The International Singers are more than happy to perform for occasions of all kinds. If the event is held on commercial premises or where the function is for the purpose of financial gain group then an appearance fee is normally charged, the amount of which depends on the preparation time required and the length of the performance. If the concert is one for the purpose of raising funds for a recognised charity or other worthwhile cause, the group will waive the appearance fee, although reserve the right to request the organisers to provide refreshment for the singers. Contact If you would like to join the International Singers or if you would like to discuss the possibility of the singers appearing at an event you are organising, contact Simon Fletcher on 03 20 98 95 34 or e-mail simon.fletcher@wanadoo.fr. (Last updated August 2006)

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