La Cigale de Verviers
Choir presentation
In 1988, a few friends wanted to get together to sing. After a few evenings, they realized they wanted to go further. The group then chose a name: LA CIGALE and quickly, and regularly, welcomed new singers.
Since its creation, the choir has given numerous concerts, both within the district of Verviers and beyond. Audiences have enjoyed a repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to the 20th century: sacred, “classical,” and popular songs, Negro Spirituals, variety music, and, of course, many Christmas carols.
It has not hesitated to collaborate with other choirs and even orchestras to perform more substantial works: Marcello’s “Psalm 18,” J. Haydn’s “Missa Brevis,” M. Haydn’s “Te Deum,” F. Schubert’s “Mass in G Major,” Gounod’s “Judex,” Fauré’s “Pavane,” Mozart’s “Coronation Mass,” as well as works by contemporary regional composers such as Edgard Davignon’s “La Suite Abitibienne” or Luc Baiwir’s “La Symphonie des Ages.”
On several other occasions, the choir has participated in theatrical productions requiring musical interventions. Among others, we can mention Bernard Tirtiaux’s play ‘Notre-Dame de Miséricorde’.
To further diversify its performances, in 2001, it created a male quartet within its ranks. It should also be noted that the choir prepares for its future by organizing annual choral singing workshops for its members, sometimes even abroad.
THE CHOIR DIRECTOR: Alain Willems
Alain WILLEMS has always been a passionate musician.
From the age of 7, he practiced choral singing. The Verviers Conservatory and the Welkenraedt Academy saw this eager student begin his studies.
He continued his viola training at the Royal Conservatory of Liège (M. Babey’s class) and subsequently at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels (G. Longrée’s class). He also took lessons with the renowned violist Erwin Schifflers.
The viola led him to ensemble music: early music, chamber orchestra, and symphony orchestra.
He is passionate about conducting. In 1984, he founded a youth choir within the “Société Royale l’Emulation” of Verviers, where he received valuable advice from J. Dôme… In 1988, he was one of the founders of “La Cigale,” which he still conducts today.
Under the banner of the La Cigale choir, he also created a string orchestra. Violist of the
Royal Symphony Orchestra Pro Musica of Welkenraedt since 1978, he was introduced to orchestral conducting by JM. Cremer and regularly conducted this ensemble between 2004 and 2013, either as a symphony orchestra alone or with choirs.
In October 2014, he took over the direction of the Royal Choir “Arion” of Waimes, and in August 2017, he also took over the direction of a male choir, the Royal Walloon Union of Malmedy, the oldest choir in Belgium (1847). He regularly takes his ensembles abroad to participate in renowned festivals (Vienna (A), Prague (CZ), Weimar (D), Bonn (D), Verona (I), Lille (F), Pornic (F), Aumetz (F), Venlo (NL)).
La Cigale de Verviers
Choir presentation
In 1988, a few friends wanted to get together to sing. After a few evenings, they realized they wanted to go further. The group then chose a name: LA CIGALE and quickly, and regularly, welcomed new singers.
Since its creation, the choir has given numerous concerts, both within the district of Verviers and beyond. Audiences have enjoyed a repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to the 20th century: sacred, “classical,” and popular songs, Negro Spirituals, variety music, and, of course, many Christmas carols.
It has not hesitated to collaborate with other choirs and even orchestras to perform more substantial works: Marcello’s “Psalm 18,” J. Haydn’s “Missa Brevis,” M. Haydn’s “Te Deum,” F. Schubert’s “Mass in G Major,” Gounod’s “Judex,” Fauré’s “Pavane,” Mozart’s “Coronation Mass,” as well as works by contemporary regional composers such as Edgard Davignon’s “La Suite Abitibienne” or Luc Baiwir’s “La Symphonie des Ages.”
On several other occasions, the choir has participated in theatrical productions requiring musical interventions. Among others, we can mention Bernard Tirtiaux’s play ‘Notre-Dame de Miséricorde’.
To further diversify its performances, in 2001, it created a male quartet within its ranks. It should also be noted that the choir prepares for its future by organizing annual choral singing workshops for its members, sometimes even abroad.
THE CHOIR DIRECTOR: Alain Willems
Alain WILLEMS has always been a passionate musician.
From the age of 7, he practiced choral singing. The Verviers Conservatory and the Welkenraedt Academy saw this eager student begin his studies.
He continued his viola training at the Royal Conservatory of Liège (M. Babey’s class) and subsequently at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels (G. Longrée’s class). He also took lessons with the renowned violist Erwin Schifflers.
The viola led him to ensemble music: early music, chamber orchestra, and symphony orchestra.
He is passionate about conducting. In 1984, he founded a youth choir within the “Société Royale l’Emulation” of Verviers, where he received valuable advice from J. Dôme… In 1988, he was one of the founders of “La Cigale,” which he still conducts today.
Under the banner of the La Cigale choir, he also created a string orchestra. Violist of the
Royal Symphony Orchestra Pro Musica of Welkenraedt since 1978, he was introduced to orchestral conducting by JM. Cremer and regularly conducted this ensemble between 2004 and 2013, either as a symphony orchestra alone or with choirs.
In October 2014, he took over the direction of the Royal Choir “Arion” of Waimes, and in August 2017, he also took over the direction of a male choir, the Royal Walloon Union of Malmedy, the oldest choir in Belgium (1847). He regularly takes his ensembles abroad to participate in renowned festivals (Vienna (A), Prague (CZ), Weimar (D), Bonn (D), Verona (I), Lille (F), Pornic (F), Aumetz (F), Venlo (NL)).