THE SPIRITUAL CONCERTS ASSOCIATION OF MONTPON-MENESTEROL

As far as 1954 Francis Chapelet and his father (an official Painter of the French Navy) founded the Association with some other persons to make the local population aware of the necessary restoration of the small organ of Montpon. For this purpose they organized various events  and concerts with choirs, orchestral ensembles etc. As soon as several organs were implanted in the locality, they organized training courses for organists. It was the era of the organ revival in France.

Ever since, the Association has continuated programming several concerts each year in Ménestérol during the summer. Its members have tried to promote some young arstists, organists as well as other instrumentalists or choirs.

Some members being organists themselves permit all these organs to be visited on Thursday afternoons in July and August, annualy. (Entrance Free) Anyone who plays the organ (or a keyboard instrument) even a little is invited to try these organs.

Visits por groups are organized all the year round (except in winter) by the same members and even by F.Chapelet himself. (4€ per person) Visit duration: 2 or 3 hours.

On the heritage day all these instruments can be seen and played by the visitors

All these organs are maintained and tuned regularly

(Concerts : look at the french page.)

AN IMPORTANT NOTICE TO THE ORGANISTS PASSING THROUGH MONTPON-MENESTEROL

All the instruments are accessible. One only has to introduce oneself, a day in advance, and ask for the keys to "Imprimerie de la Double - M.Jacques Fontmarty (Prinstshop) 5 rue du Président Wilson in Montpon. All the requests for visits can also be asked for the President of the Association by e-mail   j.laur@wanadoo.fr  or to annierichard.gross@orange.fr  webmaster of this site.

CD for sale during the visit to the instruments:

"Les chemins de l'orgue en Aquitaine" with F.Chapelet playing the instruments of Montpon-Ménestérol and Echourgnac, Chantérac , Vanxains.

Book for sale:

"Les orgues de Montpon-Ménestérol" by F.Chapelet, published (in french only)by les Presse de la Double: Tel: 033 553 80 31 07 - Fx: 033 553 81 95 19