The ENSM reveals the first title of its album of sea chanteys!
A project "Made in ENSM"
ENSM and its Foundation, as part of the “Les Chœurs de l’Hydro” project, are pleased to announce the first track on the album of sea songs, the song “Wellerman”, performed by ENSM students. First published in a book of folk songs in 1973, the song was covered by singer Nathan Evans in 2021 and went viral on social networks. The members of the choir at the Le Havre site, accompanied by their English teacher and musician Laurent Ambroggiani, decided to reappropriate the song, combining education and music. Voices, instruments, audio mixes, the project is ‘Made in ENSM’.
Many thanks!
A big thank you to all the students, former students, staff and teachers who took part in this project, from near and far, in front of the microphone or behind the cameras. The work done to launch this first track will inspire future recordings. Congratulations to all!
"This adventure around the Wellerman piece was an opportunity to meet the students in a different context from the courses, to accompany them musically and to give them the benefit of my recording and mixing skills." Laurent Ambroggiani, ENSM lecturer and musician
Marine choirs at ENSM
The choirs at ENSM’s 4 sites – Le Havre, Marseille, Saint-Malo and Nantes – carry on a tradition that goes back more than 450 years. Merchant Navy Officer cadets have been singing these sea songs during their schooling for generations. They embody both the collective effort and the soul of the people of the sea.
"I see singing as an integral part of maritime culture. It's a way of bringing the students together, like a crew, despite their different ages and backgrounds". Noé, member of the Nantes choir
To support the Foundation
In order to continue this wonderful adventure, ENSM is launching a campaign to collect donations to finance the ‘Les Chœurs de l’Hydro’ project. The funds will be donated to the ENSM Foundation and will provide financial support for the choirs’ recordings at each site.
“The first result of this project is truly incredible! The Hydros are capable of anything! I’d like to encourage this cross-site project, which is a real school success story. I invite you to help us fund it through the ENSM Foundation, so that our students can develop their talent in the spirit of a crew in a recording studio. Heave ho!”
François Lambert, Managing Director of ENSM