A Weekend at Château de Beauchêne
On Hiatus: A Mini Travel Journal
Part 2: Pays de la Loire
Hi friends,
Like my recent trip to Marseille, my trip to the countryside was serendipitous and enlightening. I went as the role of a Content Creator and Social Media consultant for an artistic community called Creative Dialogue. For nearly twenty years, the founders have hosted workshops internationally for musicians and artists who are seeking a purely collaborative environment for which they can develop their creative skills.
With little knowledge or understanding about contemporary or experimental classical music, I found myself inside one of the few music workshops that challenges students to come as they are, without anything prepared or any expectation for the results themselves. At the end of the ten days of workshops, the students perform two concerts in the local area to showcase their masterpiece.
With the time I had to myself, I was able to wander around the grounds of the château. There was the main house, the château, with seemingly endless numbers of rooms, a grand kitchen, sweeping staircase, and multiple sitting rooms. Wandering through the house felt like walking into a movie set with lavishly decorated rooms and furniture that seemed to be made for the bourgeoisie. Outside, there was a pool newly installed, a big garden growing everything from pumpkins to the biggest zucchinis I’ve ever seen. Students stayed in the farm house behind the main house where they formed their own workshop groups and rehearsed for hours throughout the day.
During my first afternoon on the job, I was able to witness a concert by professional classical contemporary musicians who played both composed pieces and improvised. Hearing this new kind of music was shocking at first. It sounded like chaos and unlike any form of music I’ve heard before. Overtime, I learned to appreciate the artform and the niche community that gathers musicians together who are interested in creating something truly innovative and new. This genre of music also pushes the boundaries of what music is and what it could or should sound like. From a psychological perspective, I found myself feeling curious and greatly honored to be in the room with people who are part of this hidden world of music.
Overall, my experience with the students and faculty of Creative Dialogue was an enriching one. It also challenged me to work outside my comfort zone showcasing a subject matter that is beyond my usual world in fashion. It was a lovely adventure and now I can confidently say I’ know what contemporary classical music is.
Until next time,
Kiana
PS: Thanks to Creative Dialogue for having me! It was such a special experience ~