Community Through Music: Fête de la Musique

On June 9, 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 began with the eighth-grade hip-hop dance performances. This is part of a collaborative unit between their PE and music classes. Students work with a choreographer to learn different moves and sequences. They then chose songs and choreographed their own routines. The final performances during Fête de la Musique were full of energy and excitement.

After the hip-hop dances, we welcomed Portland Taiko to perform a set for the whole school. They shared the history and culture of Taiko between songs. The all-school gathering concluded with a flash mob led by three 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. This year’s stations included a ukulele, an accordion, and a harpist. Parent performers also shared their talents with original songs and covers. The STEAM lab and art room were in action to show how art, science, and music can work together. In the middle school, students had hip-hop, Haitian dance, and orchestra workshops. The seventh graders duked it out in a battle of the bands, and the eighth graders performed their final show of Aladdin. This year, there were so many workshop options during the morning, with something for everyone to learn and appreciate music. 

As the morning turned to afternoon, Maternelle classes took a break, and Lower School classes performed songs and a talent show in the gym and music classes. The day ended with another all-school gathering. Everyone headed to the pavilion for a flamenco performance featuring fifth-grade teacher Ms. Rossi.

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 outdoors in their neighborhoods, 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 and to witness the incredible talents of our community.