Sharing and passing on knowledge are at the heart of our artistic project and fuel our commitment to all audiences. Café Zimmermann promotes 18th-century music through bold and creative awareness-raising initiatives!
We are involved in various cultural projects:
- As part of our residency at the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume, the « Parcours baroque » and « Ecouter autrement » are projects aimed at school children and deaf children.
- Initiatives in hospitals, notably at La Timone in Marseille and L'Archet in Nice
- Initiatives in media libraries, particularly in Meyrargues
Conducted as part of our residency at the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume, Écouter autrement is a series of activities carried out in conjunction with a class of deaf children. After preparatory sessions in class with a mediator and an expert in deaf music, followed by training for the musicians led by the same artist, the children joined the musicians on stage at the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume for a workshop to exchange ideas and discover baroque instruments. These workshops are a moving human adventure where everyone, musicians and children alike, experience a unique and extraordinary moment of exchange.
Conducted as part of our residency at the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume, the Baroque Course offers schools in Aix-en-Provence an introduction to the Baroque repertoire led by a musician and conservatory teacher through classroom activities and a school concert.
The programme includes two classroom sessions, designed to tie in directly with the concert programme that the pupils will attend: an initial preparatory session, intended to provide historical context and listening and comprehension skills, and a second session, organised after the concert, to review the experience and explore the concepts covered in greater depth. Although the concert is also open to other classes, bringing together around 120 pupils each year, the three classes that have taken part in the programme will have the exclusive opportunity to meet the musicians on stage after the concert.
For several years now, musicians from our ensemble have been performing in various hospitals in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, notably La Timone in Marseille and L'Archet in Nice.
La Timone Hospital, Marseille
For several years now, a musician has been visiting the hospital's oncology department once a month with his clavichord. Going from room to room, he offers patients a musical interlude that brings them gentleness and comfort.
Archet Hospital, Nice
Throughout the year, a violinist performs music tailored to the paediatric oncology ward. From Christmas carols to iconic Disney melodies, these intimate concerts offer children and their families a moment of respite and help improve their daily lives in hospital.
Throughout the year, small-scale private concerts are also organised in collaboration with the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume team in social action centres and care homes, such as the CCAS Sans Souci and the Maison de Gardanne.
On the initiative of a representative of the local council, in January 2024 we launched a partnership focusing on mediation activities. Throughout the year, speakers offer opportunities for discussion about baroque music at the Meyrargues media library. This collaboration opens the door to wonderful encounters and new projects.
