Music, Dancing, and Joy - Fête de La Musique had it all

On June 10, French International celebrated Fête de La Musique, an all-day music festival that celebrates unique music styles and the musical talent in our community.

The morning started with a Ballet Folklorico performance in the gym. Dancers from a local academy in Beaverton shared their talents with the entire school, expressing emotion through exciting movements and energizing the crowd. The group got the audience moving with a simple dance tutorial at the end of their show. The all-school gathering concluded with a flash mob led by two eighth graders who had the whole gym, including students, teachers, and parents, dancing and moving together.

After the all-school gathering, students were released to explore the music happening around campus. There were different stations and performers set up around campus. Student monitor Alexandro, library assistant Max, and fifth-grade teacher Trisha shared their talents with the community. A couple of parent bands and a parent harpist performed for students. There was a kazoo-making station and karaoke for everyone to participate in music. Maternelle students enjoyed an early childhood music class, while older students participated in a dance workshop. The seventh graders duked it out in a battle of the bands. As the morning turned to afternoon, Maternelle classes took a break and Lower School classes performed songs and a talent show in the amphitheater.

The day ended with another all-school gathering. Everyone headed to the soccer field where DJ Anjali & The Incredible Kid shared the songs and dance moves of Bhangra and Bollywood music. Students learned different dance moves, and everyone joined in a dance party. It was a high-energy end to an incredible day.

La Fête de la Musique is an annual music celebration that usually occurs on June 21. On Music Day, citizens and residents are urged to play music outside in their neighborhoods or public spaces and parks. Free concerts are also organized, where musicians play for fun and not for payment. At French International, Fête de la Musique is an important tradition, giving us an opportunity to celebrate the end of the year together while witnessing the incredible talents of our community.