Cahors: auditorium and music school, a new year full of great projects
This year again, the auditorium and conservatory of Grand Cahors have big projects. Concerts, jam-sessions, theater… Inside and outside the walls. Always eager to share. Meet the new director, Doris Kaptal.
Dorias Kaptal, director of the Auditorium and Grand Cahors Conservatoire, says: “I advocate experiential learning. We learn by playing. And we learn to share art.”
This year, 585 students returned to the halls of the music school. A slight increase compared to last year. Several last-minute registrations have been revealed since January. And the door is always open: string orchestra, Divona choir and jazz workshops are welcome. Attention music lovers.
“Meeting, Sharing and Experience”
The principal, who just arrived last May, has many goals for his school. Doris Kaptal explains: “I would like to influence the whole area, not just in Cahors. Thus, many projects and concerts outside the walls were born. During the year in Denmark, students from Cahors and Cieurac are working on the play “The Emperor’s New Clothes” based on Andersen’s fairy tale. They will perform two performances: one in Cahors and the other in Cieurac. Students of the conservatory will participate each time to give rhythm to the piece. “Meet, share and experience”, these are the mottos of Doris Captal.
Doris Kaptal is the new director of the Cahors conservatory and auditorium.
And again, with this in mind, jam sessions are organized in partnership with Les Docks. Every Wednesday before the short holidays, everyone is invited to experience good and warm moments around music. “Playing with people you don’t know is putting yourself in danger. In a completely safe environment! It’s an exercise that allows you to gain confidence,” the director explains. Another value that the Conservatory respects. “Students will never remember all of their lessons, but moments like this, yes,” smiles Doris. On Thursday, March 30, a jam session will be held in the auditorium to take advantage of the large number of musicians coming to the Lot. Purpose: professionals and amateurs to play together and give or receive advice. The next day, at 8:30 p.m., Valérie Graschaire “Wrap it up!” will come to defend the jazz album.
Also, a small point about audience programming. On January 20, Laurent Bardianne and Sweet Water Tiger with “Hyme au soleil”, an essential keyboardist with afro rhythms. On March 10, Adam Laloum presents a solo piano recital. Finally, there will be a concert of a Danish singer on April 14 within the framework of the Year of Denmark. This is Sinne Eeg, described as “heir to the great jazz divas”. Also a recital by violinist David Grimal on May 12.
Students and teachers at work
Students will have to get their hands dirty this year. Many performances are waiting for them. The traditional New Year’s concert begins on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th January with the Harmonie du Grand Cahors. They will also participate in Fright Night: an equal voice choir (only women) will sing in the museum, and the actors will go to the media library (old collection). The conservatory wants to go “toward the absent” and go to EHPADs or even kindergartens.
Teachers will also vote! “We want to show that they are artists first and foremost,” says Doris. They will appear on stage through concerts on Tuesday. Place on March 14 “Latino boarding” jazz quintet. On April 18, there is a performance “Le Silence de Nuit”. An autobiographical story about social function and disability in our society. Teachers will perform a free concert program on February 14. At the conservatory, they have 27 years to pass on their passion.
And the year will end in style: November will be the 50th anniversary of the conservatory. Doris Captal has already imagined several surprises that will make the eyes of both adults and babies sparkle.
Doris Captal, the brilliant new director
Doris Kaptal took over the leadership of the conservatory in May 2022. Originally from Périgueux, he began music at the age of 5 with private accordion lessons. He also practiced ballet for ten years. After studying in Paris, he decided to make a leap and entered the conservatory. He started as an accordion teacher and then rose through the ranks. From the post of deputy director, he finally became the director. After several experiences in different establishments (Fleury-Mérogis or Maison-Alfort). Finally, he decides to come to Lot. “Working in a rural environment was a bit of a professional dream, an echo of my childhood,” explains Doris. His arrival breathes new life into the already shining conservatory.
