An international cradle
In 1993, the "World Choir", a Welsh association which gathered several male voice choirs (Welsh, English, Canadian and Australian) wished a male voce choir would be created in Brittany in order to invite them to participate in a great gathering.
No male voice choirs really existed up to there. That invitation was a real challenge. On the spur of Jean-Marie Airault and Jean-Pierre Prémel, about thirty singers coming from different Breton choirs took up the challenge. They worked very hard for a few months and managed to work out a programme. Then they have been the ambassadors of Brittany in Atlanta (USA) in 1994.
That was an enthusiastic experience and a moment of great promise : back home, they decided to ensure the continued experience of the group. Then the male voice choir of Brittany was born. They chose their official name "Mouezh Paotred Breizh" - Men's voices of Brittany.
An absoluty Breton DNA
Singing, dancing, music and tales make History, Culture and ponctuate the important moments of life. The Breton language is a treasure and a strong part of their identity.
With their songs, "Mouezh Paotred Breizh" want to promote that culture and to make their heritage improve.
They are Breton and they are open to the world : through their journeys in France and abroad, through their meetings, the choir has the ambition to be an ambassador of Brittany when singing proudly. Then they bring out their history, their land, their language, their croyances end their convictions.
Tradition and modernity
Their song repertoire is widely composed of traditional songs from Brittany and Wales. They honore Breton authors, poets and translators. They give a good place to the best composers and aarangers in the region.
But, without denying tradition, they are also open to modern sensibilities when welcoming young authors and composers.
A special originality
Since the choir's creation, about a hundred singers have improved it, bringing their competences and enthusiasm in their own ways. Today, they are about fifty singers and musicians. They try to reach the same goal than their elders with the same determination.
That choir has an originality : the singers come from all over Brittany, or in a righter way, from the five historical departments which have made Brittany.
A reference
For ever twenty years, "Mouezh Paotred Breizh" have slowly won enough fame to be now regarded as a reference in quality among the choirs singing in Breton.
They have now given over four hundred concerts : everywhere in Brittany, at "Festival de Cornouaille" in Quimper and at the "Festival Interceltique" in Lorient, and also in Paris and around Paris, in Alsace, in the Pays Basque, in Lyon, in Touraine, in Bearn, in the Vosges, etc.. and abroad : in Wales, Ireland, Latvia, Czech Republic, England, Switzeerland, Italy, Scotland, Gallicia.
Champions in Brittany
Every year, in July, "Mouezh Paotred Breizh" take part in competitions. Those competitions are organised by "Kanomp Breizh" for choirs singing in Breton, during the Festival "Kan ar Loar" in Landerneau.
In 2013, They were awarted First Prize in creation for their new cantata "Kan glaz ar sklêrijenn".
In 2008, 2012, 2015 et 2016, they were awarded Brittany singing champions in 1st category.