Choir Clair Matin

CHOIR CLAIR MATIN – FRANCE

International Choir Festival of Milan – May 22 to 26 2025

Founded in 1948 by Georges Prost, and taken over in 1953 by Henri Tiscornia, our choir joined the Chœur joie movement in 1955, created at the end of the war in Lyon by César Geoffray. This movement promotes the values of sharing and humanism, and aims to spread the love of polyphony in a spirit of conviviality.

Henri Tiscornia, an amateur choirmaster, directed Clair Matin for over 60 years. His passion for music combined with his tireless dedication enabled several generations of choristers to give hundreds of concerts in France and abroad, take part in various festivals, notably the Choralies de Vaison La Romaine, and champion the cause of numerous associations. Under the direction of this conductor from 1953 to 2014, our choir has numbered up to 100 singers, made sound and television recordings and had the honour of being conducted by Michel Corboz in Von Suppé’s requiem in 2001.

Since 2015, Sébastien Portelli has brilliantly ensured the continuity of this mixed choir of around 50 singers, with a varied repertoire: secular, sacred, contemporary folk and popular, a cappella or accompanied by musicians. As part of the France-Germany twinning, the choir still takes its voices to Mannheim every two years, and only confinement has interrupted this rhythm of exchange that began 70 years ago. La Spezia also regularly welcomes us as part of the France-Italy twinning.

Our choir is open to all, music lovers and amateurs of all levels, even beginners in singing and music. We gradually build up our voices and learn the basics of music theory in a friendly atmosphere.

Official Website : https://www.acj-clairmatin.fr/

SEBASTIEN PORTELLI, Choir conductor

Born in the Toulon region in 1975, he has remained very attached to it ever since. During his musical studies at the Toulon Conservatoire from 1982 to 1998, he studied piano, percussion, saxhorn, and finally music history and composition.

After completing his training, Sébastien taught music in secondary schools for a while, before changing direction. In 2013, he returned to music, directing the Cantabile choir in Garéoult, the Clair Matin choir in 2016, and the USAM Polyphonic Choir in 2018.

In 2017, he founded Envergure, a youth choir in Toulon.

Attracted by conducting, he resumed his musical studies at the Toulon Conservatoire in the conducting class with Messrs Melin, Pairier and Maes. This enthusiast is also an instrumentalist (percussion) and loves singing tenor when needed in a choir.

All the choir members appreciate his open-mindedness, his precise work on the scores, his good humour and his kindness.

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