News
Agreement with Fonds voor de Podiumkunsten+
14.03.2009Many of you have probably already gathered from the Dutch newspapers that the Nederlands Kamerkoor – following discussions and negotiations which have been going on since September 2008 – have been granted by the Netherlands Fund for Performing Arts+ a higher subsidy than that originally proposed by the Fund’s Committee for Music.
We consider the difference to be substantial, given that instead of € 800,000 we will now receive an annual subsidy of € 1.550,000 from 2010 onwards. This means that we can continue to employ the singers on a permanent basis, albeit at a considerably lower contract percentage than most of them have been working up until now. We will also have to reduce the number of concerts given. But for the time being the continued existence of the Nederlands Kamerkoor is no longer under discussion.
It will be our task in the years to come to strengthen our cultural enterprise, whilst at the same time maintaining the wide range of our productions and raising the quality of them even further. An exciting challenge, not only for those of us in the office, but even more so for the singers. After all, without them there is no Nederlands Kamerkoor.
On the other hand, without the enthusiastic, heart-warming, passionate and often unceasing efforts of many people we would not have achieved the result described. The literally thousands of letters, messages and other expressions of support have done us so much good, and have fortified us in our pursuit of the chosen course.
What has happened in the public arena, too, with the issue reaching Parliament, and our approaching the Permanent Committee for Culture, plus the powerful support we received there – all of this is conclusive proof that the Nederlands Kamerkoor is an essential element of the infrastructure of the Dutch musical scene.
I would like to express, on behalf of all the singers, staff and the board of directors of the Nederlands Kamerkoor, our heartfelt thanks for your support. We hope to be able to continue to convey this gratitude to you for many years to come, by means of our choral singing.
With very best wishes,
Leo Samama
General Manager
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