Diriger | Tous Frères

Leading a choir is not just about keeping time. In the Protestant churches of the French Overseas Territories, it is above all about guiding a group toward a single voice: that of faith, sharing, and praise. The leader becomes a facilitator, a builder of unity… But what does “leading” truly mean in this context? Is leading about commanding, imposing, dictating the tempo? Or is it about listening, gathering, inspiring? Tous Frères invites you to meet those who, across the French Overseas Territories, lead Protestant choirs. Through their musical and spiritual commitment, they stand at the crossroads of living faith and popular culture. To begin the program, Luciano immerses us in the story of Johann Sebastian Bach, the Lutheran choirmaster for whom directing a choir was already a spiritual mission: to lead the faithful to God through harmony and to make music a living sermon. In Martinique, we meet Dominique Zorobabel, former member of the group Zouk Machine, known to the public for her zouk hits, who now sings only to praise the Lord. Through her rehearsals, her collaborations with local choirs, and her involvement in her church, she explores the meaning of leadership: when the soloist is in the spotlight, who is truly in charge? The one who holds the light, or the one who sets the tone from the shadows? Living via satellite from Nouméa in New Caledonia, Pastor Honoré Béarune, himself a singer and choir director, speaks of this dual responsibility: leading a community and guiding voices toward a shared praise, transforming each song into a collective prayer. For our "Tous Frères" (All Brothers) profile, we head to Réunion Island, where the "Ananias" vocal ensemble, a pioneer of gospel music, founded 33 years ago by Pastor Frédéric Setodzo, continues to keep its legacy alive. At the helm is Régine Lemahieu, a member for three decades and now choir director, who leads about thirty singers alongside a pianist with whom she shares this mission. An ecumenical choir open to all faiths, singing in English as well as Creole, performing at weddings and charity concerts more often than in church services, Régine Lemahieu demonstrates that leading can also mean passing on a legacy, uniting people beyond their differences, and sometimes allowing a musical experience to bring them closer to faith. In this week's column, we shine a spotlight on the choir directors who lead Catholic services.