Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc is a children's choir, founded in September 1986 by Nicolas Carries. It is a mixed unit composed of 75 to 80 school-aged children from 10 to 15 years old. All are provided education from the Saint-Marc college in Lyon.
Children join the choir in the sixth grade. After 3 years of training, they are integrated into the vocal ensemble directed by Nicolas Porte. The Holy-Ursule School, on the same site as the college, enrolls children in preparation for admittance into the college.
The choir's repertoire varies widely from spiritual hymns to classical and contemporary music.
The children receive special training in musical theory, harmony, choir singing, chamber musical and more. No prior musical knowledge is required upon entry to the choir. The students practice between six and eight hours a week, with increased times according to concerts and performances.
Les Petits Chanteurs acquired recognition with the release of the 2004 film Les Choristes, for which they provided the vocals for the soundtrack. One of the soloists, Jean-Baptiste Maunier was chosen to play a lead role in the film.
In 1995, the choir was named the official choir of the Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourviere. The choir performs in France as well as abroad, giving performances in Hong Kong, Canada, Russia, the United Kingdom, Lebanon, Japan,the United States and more. They also perform at festivals and give their patronage to humanitarian organizations.
