The 2026 programming and future of the Der Festival took center stage at the Musique à l’abbatiale association’s general assembly, with a focus on expanding the musical offerings.
The meeting was held on Tuesday, March 24 in the late afternoon at the parish hall, attended by Mayor Jean-Jacques Bayer and Father Emmanuel Gil, members by right, as well as associations deputy Sylvie Cesarion. It opened with a cello performance by Jacques Bernaert around a Bach prelude.
President Alain Porrot recounted the association’s history, created in 1984 after the donation of the organ by the Japiot family, dormant in 2020 and dissolved in 2022. The revival in 2024 led to concerts resuming in 2025, including a brass program uniting teachers and students from music schools in Saint-Dizier, Montier-en-Der, and Wassy, the Montéclair vocal ensemble for its 70th anniversary, a concert bringing together the Allegria choir from Wassy and the Der Valley vocal group, an evening as part of the Night of the Churches with Arnaud Decock on the organ, as well as a concert of musical bells performed by the Bellringers. The Der Festival featured two violin concerts in partnership with the Friends of the Church of Braucourt, at the abbey and in the church of Braucourt.
Plans for 2026 were detailed: a flute and accordion duo on May 30, a concert with the Saint-Jean choir from Chaumont and the Der Valley vocal group on June 7, participation in the Night of the Churches on June 27, Vocalis ensemble in September, and a new proposal in October with the Brass Sax saxophone quartet.
Different ideas for the Der Festival were discussed. The third edition, scheduled for the summer, is under advanced consideration. Two options were presented by Jacques Bernaert: 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. Both scenarios focus on site complementarity and collaboration with the Friends of the Church of Braucourt. Mayor Jean-Jacques Bayer mentioned the possibility of separating the organ concert from the festival and extending it to other churches in neighboring towns while keeping the abbey central. Municipal improvements, such as interior lighting and organ maintenance, support these prospects. Treasurer Patricia Porrot presented a positive financial report. The assembly concluded with a reshuffle 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 assistant secretary and treasurer, as well as Marcel and Jeannine Didier.
(Reported by JHM)
