Celebrating sisterhood

Hot temperatures didn’t cool off the enthusiasm of the performers, audience or organizers at Laguna’s first Fete De Musique on Saturday.

The festival introduced Laguna to the tradition of French musical festivals, which include a variety of musical genre. The event was held under the auspices of the Laguna Beach Sister Cities Assn. Inc.

“I knew it had to be good or it would never happen again, but it was way better than I ever envisioned,” said association Music Chairwoman Carol Reynolds.

Despite the weather, about 100 attended the opening ceremony, which began at noon in the Laguna Presbyterian Church Rose Garden with renditions of the French national anthem, “La Marseilleise,” and “America the Beautiful.”

Mayor Jane Egly and City Councilwoman Toni Iseman, French Consulate General Didier Rousseliere, Laguna Beach Unified School District Supt. Robert Fraisse and Laguna Beach High School French teacher Odile Dewar, Laguna Beach French Alliance member Fred Karam and Visitors Bureau President Karyn Philippsen were among the dignitaries who attended the opening ceremonies.

Philippsen is also president of the Sister Cities Assn., and spearheaded the affiliation with Menton, France, celebrated by the fete, which was organized by Reynolds and music committee members Arts Commissioner Pat Kollenda, Karen McBride, Lisa Morrice and Toni Wood.

“This was a beautiful coming together of two cities and two countries through the mutual language of music,” Philippsen said. “We look forward to this annual event.”

The inaugural fete included performances by nine groups or individuals, concluding with an organ recital at the Christian Science Church on High Drive, with an audience estimated by Philippsen at about 90.

An organ concert topped the list of a theoretical program Bijlani asked Reynolds to devise — even before sisterhood was approved in January by the City Council.

“Organs are a tradition in French musical festivals,” said Reynolds, who has attended fetes in France. “My first choice was Randy Wolf, a member of the American Guild of Organists, who has played at Notre Dame in Paris.”

Second on her list was a classical jazz group, and she didn’t have far to look.

The Bolling League, named for French composer Claude Bolling, is composed of members of the Community Concert Band, which Reynolds helped to found.

Next was the Flute Ensemble, also a part of the band. Band tuba player Jeff Adams came up with a instrumental blue grass gospel group.

And right next door to her home, Reynolds found the accordionist she had on her list from the get-go.

Omnipresent violinist Doug Miller was tapped.

“Then I went to the high school,” Reynolds said.

It was a high note.

Student James Luby was drafted to play guitar. Phil Felix, then band director at the school, said he played in a brass quintet that would be interested.

“Once I had the groups in place, it all began to gel,” Reynolds said. “Then Odile told me about a friend of hers from Senegal, singer Amelie M’Baye.”

M’Baye offered to sing a song first in Senagalese, then in French and then in English, with the Rose Garden audience participating.

Reynolds, who auditioned every group and performer in the fete, listened to M’Baye sing on the telephone — about 10 times, while Reynolds transcribed the music and added chords for an accompanist.

Troubador Kevin Fitzpatrick saw a newspaper ad about the fete and contacted Reynolds.

He showed up in a medieval costume for his gig on a lute.

Chic McDaniel did double duty, playing guitar and serving as the fete committee’s logistic chair.

All performers played on private property, rotating from one site to another.

None were paid. It was a labor of amour.

CANDICE BAKER can be reached at (949) 494-5480 or at candice.baker@latimes.com.