Mark Opstad, director of the Maitrise de la Conservatoire de Toulouse posted yesterday that the choir's new CD was being featured on France Musique at 8.40 am as their coup de coeur. Not having been able to listen at the time Malc listened to a podcast (the whole broadcast is worth listening to - but the best is at the end). Three Christmas songs from France, including one Basque carol arranged by Mark, were featured. The presenter said that the Maitrise, founded in just 2006 under Mark's direction, was now the equal of many of the famous English choir schools. Praise indeed and a testimony to Mark's demanding but enjoyable leadership. We spoke to some of the children's parents at a concert and they all agreed that the kids loved Mark's personality and methods.
A cheque will be off tomorrow for the 15 euros (plus 3.50 postage) as an extra Christmas present - you could do worse if you need a surprise gift for a "melomane".
http://www.francemusique.fr/emission/sacrees-musiques/2015-2016/js-bach-cantate-bwv6-bleib-bei-uns-denn-es-will-abend-werden-12-20-2015-07-00
The link will take you to the broadcast (and there is a link to order.
