A message from Sigiswald Kuijken

[Seán]

I have just received this message from Sigiswald Kuijken

Lpb Lapetitebande Lpb
Dear Sean,

URGENT MESSAGE from SIGISWALD KUIJKEN AND LA PETITE BANDE.

The Flemish government will terminate its annual subsidy of € 560,000 to La Petite Bande as of 1 January 2013.

Supprt La Petite Bande
This measure is not dictated by the need to cut spending (the total budget for culture in Flanders has actually risen; an otherwise exemplary move). It is due solely to the consciously negative strategy on the part of a few members of the relevant advisory committee. This is a stark contrast to the real appreciation the orchestra has enjoyed world-wide for decades, as illustrated by the 20,000 signatures on the Internet petition "savelapetitebande" launched in June of this year.
In order to survive, La Petite Bande now must find other sources of income. We have requested subsidies on a per-project basis, but apart from the fact that the same committee will have to approve them, we already know that they will not be enough to satisfy our real needs. In the past, the orchestra has been able to count on a modest number of donations from motivated and enthusiastic friends.
From now on unfortunately, support from our audience is essential, to enable us to deal with our subsidy drying up in mid-season. If you can donate any amount, large or small, please use the 'donate'-button below or you can make a bank transfer to the 'Support La Petite Bande' account IBAN BE76 7350 2267 9695 BIC: KREDBEBB.
It grieves us to have to take this kind of action, and like you, we do not understand why all of this had to happen to us, so: all the more thanks to those of you willing to support us from the goodness of your hearts.
More information is on this website, or contact us at info@lapetitebande.be