The 2018 Etchings Festival was a huge success.  Eighteen composers from five countries  had the opportunity to have new compositions performed by world-renowned performers. This year the festival hosted  Jean-Philippe Wurtz , conductor,  Carlos Cordeiro , clarinet,  Julia Den Boer , piano,  Benjamin Fischer,  oboe,  Alexandra Greffin-Klein , violin,  Laszlo Hudacsek , percussion,  Roberta Michel , flute, and  John Popham , cello. The first two concerts, on July 4 and 5, were held in the Chapel of Sailors, the Chapel of Saint Catherine (pictured above and right.). This 10th-century chapel, located in the Port, a few doors down from the Moulin a Nef, is one of the stops in Auvillar for pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The last concert was held at  ARKAD Art Center  on the town square, right in the heart of Auvillar. VCCA is glad to partner with ARKAD to host the contem...

VCCA’s programming in Auvillar is greatly enriched by the Auvillar community and it's surrounding areas. This has become clear during the Etchings Festival when a number of community members welcomed guest composers, performers, and participants into their homes. Jacques and Annick Sarraut hosted a beautiful dinner for the entire Etchings Festival as well as others from the community. After a successful first concert, Joelle Cywie welcomed the Etchings guest composers, performers, and staff into her home for celebratory champagne and dessert. VCCA-France has members in the United States, Auvillar, and the surrounding communities. Many of these members support the programming by welcoming VCCA Fellows in residence or program participants into their homes for cooking demonstrations and meals, and by taking them to visit local sites during their time in Auvillar as well as attending events hosted by VCCA. The VCCA-France is currently helping to raise funds to purchase a keyboard...

Garonne River The port of Auvillar is full of music now that the Etchings Festival has begun. From the banks of the Garonne River and walking along Esplanade du Port, part of the Saint Jacques de Compostelle pilgrimage route that runs through Auvillar and right in front of the Moulin a Nèf, you can hear the creation of music in progress.  Beginning with the arrival dinner on June 30, the guest composers, performers and participants have come together in the village to create, polish, and explore contemporary music. A view from the lavoir on Rue de la Fontaine across the river. Rue de la Fontaine is part of the steep hill up to the village from the port.  The lavoir is a nice spot for a breather, as it is just past the steepest part of the hill and there is a small population of frogs and fish that live in the water there.