A Fond les Notes

The association, “A Fond les Notes” from the commune of the Château d’Olonne in France has existed since 2001.

Created by A.F.N. (*) veterans and in particular its first choirmaster, Henri Epaud. It is therefore no coincidence that the acronym AFN can be found in the group’s name.

This vocal ensemble is made up of some 85 choristers, around 50 women, 35 men and consists of 3 specific choirs which, in 2018, took over the following entities:

• “La Frégate en Partence” is mixed, but this time joined by musicians. The songs are focussed on the theme of the sea in general. It could include Charles Trenet’s La mer, for example.
• “Le diablotin du puits d’enfer” is exclusively male, accompanied by musicians and singing the songs of sailors. These are more virile and would accompany the work on board.
• Finally, “L’Echo d’orbestier” a mixed choir singing a variety of French songs a cappella.

A Fond les Notes organises the annual “Mille Sabords” festival in the Sables d’Olonne.

A joint CD entitled, “Accores et Ressacs” has been produced including music from choirs in the Association;  A Fond les Notes, Le Diablotin du Puits d’enfer, La frégate en partance and L’Echo d’Orbestier

••Note: The Acronym AFN in this case refers to, “Afrique française du Nord”, the area colonised by France as at the end of the 19th Century, corresponding now to Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.