What happens to them? The elders have their say.
“My wife always says she would never have married me before CIRFA.”
Pierre Laloux followed the OPEN training in 1990. That was thirty years ago…! At the time, IFF Europe was called CIRFA and was based on the Côte d'Azur. Meeting with this former member who invites us on a journey through time.
What led you to pursue training at CIRFA?
After seven years of very dense musical training and two years of specialization, I felt like I was entering a dead end. I needed to find meaning in everything I was doing. Following a presentation by CIRFA in July 1989, I decided to join this school in Biot, near Antibes, and I stayed there for two years.
This was the very beginning of CIRFA…
Yes. At that time, the proposed course was different from one year to the next. The CIRFA was built year after year.
What struck you at the time?
Two things were decisive for me: community life where we told each other things truthfully, and a human training session (PRH organization) where I received a reading grid to learn to know myself. It was there that I was able to put words to the reality of my inner being, of my inner "temple". This learning is still a support today. At that time, the artistic dimension at CIRFA was important; I, who had received very classical musical training, learned to open myself up to other music and to experience it more in body-soul-spirit unity; in a less cerebral way.
Did your time at CIRFA change you?
Without a doubt. My wife always tells me that she would never have married me before CIRFA… CIRFA helped me to take steps to progress internally and to open up more.
What is your best memory of your time at CIRFA?
There is not one but several! For example, in both classes, we were of several nationalities, a richness that allowed me to discover new songs in different languages, and then what an atmosphere! I also remember having animated and supervised about twenty young people for a show of songs and dances, Life and light style, in front of an audience of nearly 1000 people. And how can we not mention those moments when I exhausted all my stock of tears during personal accompaniments… A real “cleansing” possible thanks to the kindness and competence of the accompanist.
After CIRFA, what did you do?
I took a singing training course in the United States for a month. It was beneficial to me because when I returned home I found a job as a cantor, organist and choir director in a parish, a job that I am currently continuing. I was a singing trainer for outdoor center leaders, I gave recorder lessons, I gave music lessons in classes of dyslexic and dysphasic children. For fifteen years I have worked part-time at Fondacio Belgique where I am particularly involved in what concerns singing and spiritual animation. I lead training sessions in liturgical singing and participate in the recording of spiritual songs.
What advice do you have for current IFF Europe students?
Learn to listen to your intuition, your inner voice. Don't hesitate to try out various professional experiences but without forcing them. Be curious about everything and above all don't forget to be amazed.
Link to source https://www.iffeurope.org/actualites/mon-epouse-me-dit-toujours-quelle-ne-maura…
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