Threatened with closure at the end of June, Antibes Music School launches a fundraising campaign

From the corridors of Antibes Music School, a voice can be heard singing. Nearby, a bass guitar plays a few notes. For teachers and students, these are the last rehearsals before the big end-of-year concert. But, in the premises on Route de Grasse, the music may soon cease to resonate.

" When I'm focused on my lessons, everything's fine. But as soon as I start thinking, I realize we're about to lose everything ," confides Samuel Boulade, a teacher at the school for ten years.

A family atmosphere

Founded in 2013, this non-profit organization, accredited by the Youth and Popular Education Association, is now at risk of closing its doors. " We receive an annual subsidy of €4,000 from the town hall. But with nine employees and the cost of maintaining the premises, it's not enough ," explains director Shanaz Ferrère.

Since the Covid crisis and the opening of "La sChOOL," a competing school with more attractive prices, the school has struggled to recruit new students. " Once they join this school, they don't want to leave. But it's difficult to attract new students; we don't have much visibility ," she continues. Some have, in fact, become regulars, like Martine, a student at Antibes Music School since its opening. " I was taking guitar lessons and it was so good that I wanted to take singing lessons too ," she says.

There are no music theory classes at the school. Open to all, with no age limits or prerequisites, the school is a place to learn in a fun way. " There's a family atmosphere here, the teachers are very patient ," says Romain, who travels from Grasse to Antibes just for a half-hour of guitar lessons.

“One foot in the future and the other in the present”

To ensure another year, the school would need 50,000 euros. A fundraising campaign has been launched, but the goal is still a long way off. " We need a patron ," jokes Samuel Boulade. " The goal isn't to make money, but to achieve financial balance. Either with new enrollments or through donations ," explains Shanaz Ferrère. The school currently has 240 students, but it would need 350, or even 400, to ensure the next school year. " Right now, I'm managing the fundraising campaign, the end-of-year concert, and re-enrollment. I have one foot in the future and the other in the present ," she says.

Students, parents, and teachers are all mobilized and share a desire to help. " They have lots of ideas, but these are long-term projects. The threat of closure is imminent ," notes the principal.

A place of exchange above all

If the school closes, the 240 students will find themselves without a place to go next year. " The waiting lists at the Conservatoire are far too long, and it's not the same teaching method at all. Where will all these young people go? " asks Shanaz Ferrère. "Here, we are above all a place of exchange; it would be a shame for the city to lose a place like this. "

In this upsetting situation, " it's impossible not to be sad ," confesses singing teacher Christophe Croc. "I was there when the school was created, I helped Sébastien, the founder, paint the walls ," he recalls. "I like to pass on my passion for singing, to evolve with my students. If there's no more school, we'll all find ourselves outside. "

But there's no question of losing hope: " This isn't how we're going to stop, music is so important to all of us! " exclaims Martine. The online fundraiser ends on June 21. In the meantime, at Antibes Music School, the music will play until the last day.

Online collection at fr.ulule.com/antibesmusicschool-2/