French International Celebrates Fête de Musique

On June 11, French International students, faculty, staff, and volunteers celebrated culture and summer with a full-day music festival.

The day started with a school-wide Hawaiian dance performance with hula dancing and Hawaiian language lessons. After, the whole school danced in a flash mob before moving about the day.

During the rest of the morning, there were music performers and stations set up all over campus for student groups to visit and enjoy. Parent volunteers helped escort Maternelle and Lower School students around campus. Performers included Sofía Nava Ulacio and the Ukelele Project’s Jeff Kerestes. Three French International parent groups performed during the morning as did French International staff members Abri, Alexandro, and Emily.

The morning also included music-themed activities, such as karaoke, instrument making, a musical garden, and a music scavenger hunt.

Middle School students competed in a talent show and a battle of the bands throughout the day. Seventh graders had a band unit this year, so groups of students also performed during the morning for classmates and students from Maternelle and Lower School.

After lunch, Lower School classes performed songs they’d worked on throughout the year. Individual students also had an opportunity to showcase their musical talents. At French International, we encourage students to be risk-takers, and we’re proud of the brave students who shared their musical skills in front of an audience of their peers, parents, and teachers.

The day concluded with an electrifying all-school performance from Woshishijee, Music and Dance of Accra. The high-energy group had everyone on their feet, dancing and cheering as the celebration concluded, filling the air with infectious joy.

La fête de la musique is an annual music celebration usually occurring on June 2. On Music Day, citizens and residents are urged to play music outside in their neighborhoods or in public spaces and parks. Free concerts are also organized, where musicians play for fun and not for payment. The first all-day musical celebration on the day of the summer solstice was originated by Jack Lang, then Minister of Culture of France, as well as by Maurice Fleuret; it was celebrated in Paris in 1982. Music Day later became celebrated in 120 countries around the world.