Choir of Gibloux

Choir of Gibloux

The idea of a male choir in Gibloux was born in a context that it would perhaps not be appropriate to cite. Indeed, she came to us from the back of a bar at completely indecent hours one good night in May. We realized that during evenings, dinners or any other events, young people and men could not help but sing along. So why not get started? Why not give these men the opportunity to sing together?

Well, we embarked on this adventure whose outcome was uncertain. With the enthusiasm of a committee of 21 to 24 year olds, we spread word of mouth, talked about this potential future choir around us. Result: 5 committee members and 2 members at the first general meeting on 08.31.2012. We started singing together, then, as the weeks went by, the singers arrived little by little, for a total of nearly 40 members 3 years after the creation of the choir.

This choral formation aims to be traditional and secular, traveling through eras and registers and bringing to life certain treasures buried in dusty cupboards. Before being a choir, we are a big family with men of all ages and from different backgrounds and have great times around our passion for singing.

The founding members are: Rémi Barras, David Neuhaus, Rémy Descloux, Gaël Ropraz and Marc Piazza
Since its creation, the Gibloux Men’s Choir has tried its hand
mainly to 4 repertoires: that of Christmas, that of song
French, that of traditional Friborg songs and that of the more learned songs of the romantic period in particular. Our ensemble is also made up of 4 registers: first tenor, second tenor, baritone and bass. Perched on the slopes of Mont Gibloux, it was natural for us to offer you our 4 favorite walking paths with this first opus.

David Neuhaus, Director

Our Director was born on February 24, 1990. He is married and has two children.

He lives in Prez-vers-Noréaz and has a Master’s degree in neurodevelopmental biology. He worked for several years as technical sales manager in molecular biology and today serves as Secretary General of the Catholic Ecclesiastical Corporation of the Canton of Fribourg.

Before starting self-taught choral conducting with the Gibloux Men’s Choir of which he is a founding member, this native of Vuisternens-en-Ogoz mainly spent time on the other side of the lectern. Indeed, he began singing with the Maîtrise du Cycle d’Orientation du Gibloux in Farvagny in 2003 under the direction of Marc-Antoine Emery and performed there a few times as a soloist. A year later, he joined the Parish Mixed Choir of Vuisternens-en-Ogoz until 2012, and wore the roles of singer, soloist and from time to time organist. He consequently became interested in the organ music magnificently played by Simon Corti, who allowed him to replace him for some religious services. He also sang in the Choir of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Fribourg.

In June 2017, he obtained his CH 1 diploma in choral conducting at the Friborg Conservatory in the class of Jean-Claude Fasel, Chapel Master of St-Nicolas Cathedral in Fribourg. At the same time, he perfected his knowledge of music theory with Pierre-Fabien Roubaty also at the Friborg Conservatory and obtained his CM4 musical culture diploma there.

In May 2018, he collaborated with the Friborg Chamber Orchestra (OCF) and 150 singers whom he was able to co-direct in the Generation Disney project.

From September 2018 to December 2022, he was the Director of the Mixed Parish Choir L’Espérance de Vuadens with whom he had the chance to conduct in November 2022 the Missa sub titulo Sanctae Theresiae (MH 797) by Michael Haydn for choir, SATB soloists and orchestra. The Vuippens parish mixed choir joined in this beautiful project.

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