Since its creation in 2015, the Rendez-vous Musical has been a meeting place for resident musicians and the birthplace of multiple lasting collaborations and friendships. The resident musicians, many of whom come to France thanks to the Harriet Hale Woolley, Fulbright-Harriet Hale Woolley or Fulbright scholarships, have also used this concert series to create cross-cultural ties with a select few French musicians to be granted a 5th floor studio and/or musicians they meet at school. Over the years, alumni have come back with projects they presented with friends they met performing on Sunday afternoons during their student days. The Rendez-vous Musical has become known as an informal concert series, much like a studio class, where musicians not only talk about what they are working on, but also stay at the end to get to know the friendly faces that come every month.
The Rendez-vous bridges the gap between the audience and the performers, between the French and American culture, and between generations. The resident musicians make classical and contemporary music fresh and accessible, and they present new works and experimental pieces that sometimes lead to interesting conversations. It is a space of creative musical expression in line with the values of the FEU, as well as the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris, whose mission it is to promote peace among students coming to study in Paris from all around the world.
The 100th Rendez-vous Musical was a special occasion for all involved: the celebration of this series founded in 2015 and of Noëmi Haire-Sievers’ nine seasons as Head of Culture at FEU. Musicians of several generations, most of whom participated in the Rendez-vous Musical over the past years, came together for a festive concert, bearing witness to the important role the series has played in their transition from student to professional life. Several musicians shared memories, musical experiences and collaborations that were born thanks to this series and the cultural program at FEU. Some expressed their gratitude for the opportunity of being actively involved in the cultural life of the FEU, both as residents and alumni.
The concert ended with the ten alumni, two resident musicians and four composers on stage surrounding Noëmi Haire-Sievers as the speech written by FEU director Joan Anfossi-Divol was read in her absence, honoring Noëmi’s investment in the FEU’s cultural legacy. The evening continued on the balcony with a private reception bringing together alumni, residents, cultural partners, friends of FEU, and the culture team, including some former team members.
The videos are available on our YouTube channel.