1889 - The sea urchin
It was in 1889 that a group of five music-loving friends created a music society, "l'Oursin". The group multiplied its concerts and on several occasions gave very popular auditions, notably in Biarritz. L'Oursin participated in the inauguration of Arnaga in Cambo in the presence of Sarah Bernhardt. Composed of generous men, it gave numerous concerts for the benefit of the sailors of Socoa, the victims of disasters in Martinique and charities.
1906 - The Donibandarrak Association
While the Oursin had become very popular and very active, it went beyond the exclusive framework of the music society by creating a vast association, "l'Amicale Donibandarrak" (the friendly society of the Luziens), officially declared in 1906, composed among others of an orphéon, rugby and pelota teams. The Amicale Donibandarrak encouraged the emergence of a group of mandolinists which, under the direction of Mr. Joseph Etcheverrigaray , took the name of "l'Estudiantina" and mainly brought together the members of the Oursin.
1914-1946: From one war to another...
The 14-18 war decimated the Estudiantina which completely stopped its activities. It was not until around 1920 that the association reconstituted a musical group. In the interwar period, the Estudiantina, directed by Messrs. Barthélémy and Charles Hubert , lent its support to numerous charity events and actively participated in the animation and cultural life of the city. In 1940, the Amicale Donibandarrak was dissolved by the Vichy government.... In 1946, the secular association was reconstituted and in 1950, the direction of the Estudiantina was entrusted to Mr. Albert Kaempf, a student of Mr. Charles Hubert.
1950: Growth and development
Albert Kaempf , a student of Mr. Charles Hubert, then took over the direction of the orchestra. His passion for music and transmission brought a renewal and considerable growth.
He developed the repertoire by integrating more classical music and renewed the sounds , thanks to the acquisition of new instruments, the laudines from Spain.
A teacher by trade, the music school that he runs, assisted by a group of volunteers, gradually increases the skills of the musicians , raising the level of the orchestra.
1996: The Renewal
En 1996 José Arrizabalaga succède à Albert Kaempf et prend la direction musicale. Avec l'appui de Michel Claudio, il explore alors de nouveaux répertoires n'hésitant pas à transcrire et arranger différentes oeuvres pour les adapter pour orchestre à plectre. Les travaux développés durant cette période ont donné lieu à l'enregistrement de trois albums ; projets musicaux exigeants qui permirent à l'orchestre de progresser considérablement, le menant vers de nouveaux horizons.
2016: Between tradition and modernity
The orchestra is now conducted by Jean-Baptiste Arrizabalaga . The musical line developed since then oscillates between tradition and modernity by reconnecting with a popular repertoire rewritten and modernized in its harmonic and rhythmic approach while continuing the exploration of new sounds , particularly around jazz and film music to enrich the scope of the repertoire. He also develops new artistic collaborations with different formations in order to open the orchestra to new repertoires and enrich itself with new experiences.
