The Toulouse Choir School is the first one in southwestern France. Founded by Mark Opstad in 2006, this excellent vocal ensemble is distinguished by its rich, diverse repertoire. The school provides 50 children and young people with a high level of musical training.

It performs works by composers from the Renaissance to the present day. It focuses on the French repertoire, especially from southwest France,

but also performs major works in the great choral tradition, including the English tradition, and contemporary music.

The school regularly collaborates with other ensembles, such as the Orchestre de Chambre de Toulouse and the Orchestre des Passions.

Transmitting musical expertise

The curriculum features choral singing, vocal technique and musical training at the Toulouse Conservatory. The children learn to sing multiple repertoires in several languages.

This flagship choir school has put transmission at the heart of its teaching. Consequently, it is continuously refining its educational methods. Older teachers pass their musical knowledge on to young students, creating a warm atmosphere and the desire to excel.

  • © Nicolas Lourdaux
  • © Nicolas Lourdaux
  • © Nicolas Lourdaux
  • © Maîtrise de Toulouse
  • © Pierre Mey
  • Crédit : Pierre Mey
  • © Nicolas Lascourrèges
  • © Pierre Grosbois

“I founded the Toulouse Choir School to show that children can sing at a professional level.”

Mark OpstadArtistic Director of the Toulouse Choir School

Mark Opstad, teacher of excellence

Mark Opstad sang in the Bristol Cathedral Choir before studying music at Oxford University. He was an organist and choir master at Balliol College and Clare College at Cambridge University. From 2000 to 2002, he was organist and assistant director of the Caen Choir School. He was appointed professor of choral singing at the Toulouse Conservatory and created the Toulouse Choir School in 2006. The Anglo-French choral conductor is also a composer and arranger of works for choir.

  • 2017 Liliane Bettencourt Prize for Choral Singing

Liliane Bettencourt Prize for choral singing

The creation of the Liliane Bettencourt Prize for choral singing in 1989 is one of the first initiatives of the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller after its creation. It results from a shared desire of the Foundation and the Académie des beaux-arts to encourage French choirs and contribute to the development and influence of this exceptional artistic discipline.

All the award-winners