All-new partnership in the history of French sports

On Monday, the Women's EHF EURO 2018, the Philharmonie de Paris via its Démos programme and the French Handball Federation have signed a partnership and unveiled the event’s official music. The sharing of experiences and the desire to ensure that everyone can have access to both of these worlds are at the heart of this operation called 'Handballissime: classical music meets handball'.

Sports and music, closely linked

Sports and music have always been closely linked. At every stadium and at every venue, there s always music. It builds atmosphere, provides a rhythm for encouragements, fills gaps in the action and accompanies every celebration. Just like sports, it brings people together. In the stands and even in the changing rooms.

The first EHF EURO organised in France will prove this yet again with a partnership signed on 19 March in the presence of Laurent Bayle, General Manager of the Philharmonie de Paris, Sylvie Pascal-Lagarrigue, chairwoman of the EHF EURO 2018 Organising Committee, Joël Delplanque, President of the FFHandball, Estelle Nze Minko and Blandine Dancette, reigning handball world champions.

This agreement validates the desire to bring the two worlds much closer than anyone could imagine. For each of the signatories, the objective is to encourage participation, whether through Démos, the socially-oriented musical and orchestral education project launched in 2010 by the Philharmonie de Paris (currently more than 3,000 children aged 7 to 12 years, in some 30 orchestras), or through the “Sports for all” mission set up by the handball authorities. 

All-new partnership in the history of French sports

As something all-new in the history of French sports, this partnership will have a true 360° impact, with concrete actions in the field. The various projects will involve 950 children aged from 7 to 16 years (475 handball players and 475 Démos musicians). The cornerstone of this project will be a day of sharing and discovery (a morning of handball, an afternoon of music) between the young people in both groups, in each of the five regions hosting the competition (Brest, Montbéliard, Nancy, Nantes, Paris).

During the competition, five events will be preceded by the Démos children performing the event’s official music 'In the Hall of the Mountain King', directly on the court. Written by Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, this music will be used during each of the 47 EHF EURo matches and at each of the main moments of the competition, such as the final tournament draw on 8 June 2018.

Up to the start of the tournament, the players and staff of the French team – reigning world champions – will attend concerts before receiving the Philharmonie de Paris during their matches. A project to broadcast certain of the EHF EURO 2018 matches is also being studied.

Budding musicians and apprentice handball players, trainer and orchestra conductor, world champions and virtuosos, everyone will be on hand for the first EHF EURO organised in France. For sports and music to advance together, and in unison.

The 'Démos Orchestras' are planned to play at the following matches (dates subject to approval)

• 5 December, Montbéliard, 18:00 hrs
• 5 December, Brest, 18:00 hrs
• 8 December, Nantes, 18:00 hrs
• 8 December, Nancy, 15:00 hrs
• 16 December, Paris, 15:00 hrs