Manie Musicale 2022
March Madness isn’t just about basketball anymore. For the third year in a row, Upper School French classes took part in Manie Musicale, a French song competition in the format of the March Madness basketball tournament, aiming to increase student engagement in the French language and improve French skills using popular French songs. Upper School French Teacher Andréanne Annis and her students go all out! The class even produced a Maniaques de Musique episode. FWCD was the only school to do so and interact internationally.
Students filled out their brackets indicating what songs they felt should advance from the Sweet 16 to the next round. Then, on specific days, they voted, like 100,000 other students across the country, for a battle between two songs from the francophone world. French students looked forward to the reveals, feeling connected to an international community through this experience. Students also discover trending songs and the meaning of their lyrics, exposing learners to the diversity of perspectives celebrated in the French-speaking world. “Teaching world languages is a step toward world peace,” Annis said, “and the Manie Musicale is a rich interactive way to connect with French-speaking artists and students.”
Developed by two French teachers in Maine in 2017, Manie Musicale originally had only two middle schools participate. The program has grown to include more than 3,300 schools from all 50 states and 16 different countries. “Our Falcons loved voting with thousands of students and singing the newest hits,” Annis noted. “Some featured artists have been interacting with participants on social media. The contributions to educational activities created by participating teachers are also amazing.”
Annis has invested in the collaborative nature of this program and has been acknowledged for her shared resource: She is a Top 10 Group Expert. “FWCD students combined their new knowledge and skills to their passion for this Manie Musicale and created AMAZING projects presented right before spring break,” she proudly shared. “They touched my heart .. the students, too, are deeply invested.”
New this year: a commentary team called les Maniaques de Musique. Annis joined to co-host three episodes, and FWCD students completely hosted the commentary show. “We were the only school to have the opportunity to interact internationally,” Annis excitedly shared. “What an incredible way to interact authentically with French music lovers around the globe. This truly was a proud moment for our Upper School French-speaking Falcons!”
View the full episode.
When asked how proud she was of her students on a scale of 1-10, Annis answered, “Eleven! The sweetest music to my ears is hearing Alexis Del Pozzo [‘25] sharing that she and Vivian Richey [’25] sang l’ours during lacrosse practice, and Alonzo Del Pozzo [’25]: sharing that his French class enjoys doing the hand choreography of Doucement anywhere they meet.”
Luke Tierce ’24 and Abbie Proell ’24 shared with Annis that Alexis Espino ’23 and Jael Lopez ’23 coined a new French word: douchement, which means showerly. Eti Lois ‘23 shared a liking for the variety of music this year as other genres aside from pop and hip hop were shown: indie, reggae, Synthwave Pop and newer, and lesser-known artists.
The votes concluded on Tuesday, April 5; a big reveal party took place on Wednesday, April 6, when Annis and her students enjoyed breakfast uniting Falcons with games about the 16 songs; the last reveal video; a special message from Corneille (the singer who was voted winner of the championship); and special prizes for the bracket winners, best projects, and amazing performances in FWCD’s episode of Maniaque de Musique. Vive la manie musicale!
Photo: For the third year in a row, Upper School French classes took part in Manie Musicale, a French song competition.
