The planning for 2026 and the future of the Festival du Der were central topics at the general assembly of the Musique à l’abbatiale association, with the goal of expanding the music offerings. The meeting took place on Tuesday, March 24 in the late afternoon at the parish hall, with Mayor Jean-Jacques Bayer, priest Emmanuel Gil, and associations deputy Sylvie Cesarion in attendance. It began with a cello performance by Jacques Bernaert playing a Bach prelude.
President Alain Porrot recounted the history of the association, established in 1984 after a donation of an organ by the Japiot family, put on hold in 2020, and dissolved in 2022. The relaunch in 2024 led to concerts resuming in 2025, including brass program with teachers and students from music schools in Saint-Dizier, Montier-en-Der, and Wassy, Mntéclair vocal ensemble’s 70th anniversary, a joint concert with the Allegria choir of Wassy and the Vocal Group of Pays du Der, an event for the Night of the Churches with Arnaud Decock on the organ, and a musical bell concert by the Bellringers. The Festival du Der hosted two violin concerts in partnership with the Friends of the Church of Braucourt, at the abbey and in the church of Braucourt.
The outlook for 2026 was outlined with a flute and accordion duo on May 30, a concert with the Saint-Jean choir of Chaumont and the Vocal Group of Pays du Der on June 7, participation in the Night of the Churches on June 27, Vocalis ensemble in September, and a new offering in October with the Brass Sax saxophone quartet.
Different ideas for the Festival du Der were discussed in the third edition, scheduled for the summer. Jacques Bernaert presented two options: a concert with organist Emmanuel Culcasi at the abbey accompanied by a cello and harp program in Braucourt, or hosting the cello octet, a formation he created in 1980. Collaboration with the Friends of the Church of Braucourt and site complementarity were central to both proposals. Mayor Jean-Jacques Bayer mentioned the possibility of separating the organ concert from the festival and extending it to other churches in neighboring towns, with the abbey remaining central. Municipal improvements like interior lighting and organ maintenance supported these prospects. Treasurer Patricia Porrot presented a positive financial report. The assembly ended with a reorganization of the board, with Alain Porrot remaining as president, Patricia Porrot as secretary and treasurer, joined by Jean-François Van-Horne as vice president, Thomas Zamboux as secretary and assistant treasurer, and Marcel and Jeannine Didier.
[Context: The article discusses the recent developments and future plans of the Musique à l’abbatiale association and the Festival du Der.] [Fact Check: The content is a summary of the assembly meeting that took place in March, featuring discussions about upcoming musical events and the Festival du Der.]
