Organized in collaboration with the Philharmonie de Paris, where the group Terrenoire is scheduled to perform on Saturday, October 17th, this workshop aimed to enhance the expression and self-confidence of the third-grade students. The exercise, proposed by Théo Herrerias, one of the duo's brothers, involved imagining themselves 25 years older and recounting their adolescence to a friend.
The two brothers, invited by the French and music teachers, led two two-hour writing sessions focusing on themes such as memory, childhood, rebellion, and social connection, which are central to their album « Protégé·e ». Raphaël Herrerias, the other member of the duo, explained that this initiative aligns with their desire to connect with diverse populations encountered during their tour, a philosophy shared by the Philharmonie.
The Philharmonie de Paris, supported in part by the Conseil départemental de la Seine-Saint-Denis, runs community educational projects like 'Studio 19' and 'Demos,' aimed at increasing access to musical instruments. Lilia Khier, an educational project manager, highlighted the importance of these initiatives for social cohesion.
During the workshop, Raphaël Herrerias also discussed with students their support for the high school student movement and their own demands, while Théo Herrerias encouraged them to recall childhood memories or places in Pantin that no longer exist. Students like Noah shared personal moments, demonstrating the value of open expression.
Mathieu Méric, a French teacher, praised the effectiveness of these non-academic workshops in helping students verbalize their emotions more freely. Students, such as Zaharaben, reported improved storytelling skills, learning to be more precise to capture attention, and finding personal benefit in expressing their thoughts.
The connection between the group Terrenoire and Collège Joliot-Curie will continue, as a 6th-grade class from the same school is set to perform two of the duo's songs, « Jusqu’à mon dernier souffle » and « Alma », on the stage of the Philharmonie, accompanied by a choir of seniors from Pantin.
