Leading Women in Music Fund
With our Leading Women in Music Fund we are eager to contribute to a stronger representation of female conductors and composers at the top of international symphony orchestras.
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra has made it a top priority to contribute to a stronger representation of female conductors and composers in the world of classical music. Particularly among the leading international symphony orchestras, the trend towards more women in these positions is not necessarily a given.
In recent years, the number of female conductors and composers at the Concertgebouw Orchestra has been increasing rapidly. However, while the number of female orchestra members and soloists is in line with broad societal developments, female composers and conductors are still underrepresented in orchestras.
Striving together for more female conductors and composers at the top
Aim
The aim of the Leading Women in Music Fund is to enhance the international representation of female conductors and composers at the top. We want to achieve this by bringing them more into the spotlight, promoting inspiring role models, scouting and mentoring female talent, and, of course, facilitating productions with female conductors and composers.
Guiding principles
- A more equal ratio between male and female composers and conductors enhances the recognizability and accessibility of the orchestra for both current and future audiences.
- As a leading orchestra, we aim to take responsibility for increasing the number of female role models at the top.
- We aim to reflect the gender balance in society in our programming and in our choice of conductors.
- The numerous talented female composers and conductors deserve our special attention. Many female conductors indicate that they started their conducting careers (too) late because there were too few inspiring role models.
Action plan
- The Concertgebouw Orchestra aims to increase the number of female conductors/composers in its programming over the coming decades.
- The development of concrete policies in this area is supported and encouraged by the orchestra's Artistic Committee.
- Scouting for female conductors and composers is an essential part of the policy.
- Investing in relationships with female conductors and composers (for example, through composition commissions) is equally crucial.
- These ambitions also apply to repertoire choices and conductors for the Concertgebouworkest Young and the Academy of the Concertgebouw Orchestra.
- Increasing the visibility of female conductors and composers in the marketing and communication materials of the Concertgebouw Orchestra is a priority.
With your support
In order to realise and promote its ambitions, the orchestra connects with private donors, companies, funds and foundations involved in this important theme and wishing to contribute to it.
Donations to this fund are entirely earmarked to all the activities necessary to achieve this goal. We welcome everyone who would like to contribute. Donors can join the donations programme of the Concertgebouw Orchestra as Patron, for example.
As a thank you for your donation, we invite you to exclusive meetings and activities of the Concertgebouw Orchestra for Patrons and Patrons +, Fellows and Masters respectively. In addition, a substantive activity is organized once a year for all donors to this new fund around a concert with female conductors/composers.
Tax Benefit
The Concertgebouw Orchestra holds a cultural ANBI (Public Benefit Organization) status. Thanks to the current favorable tax regulations for cultural Public Benefit Organizations (ANBI), you can give much more to the Concertgebouw Orchestra than it costs you net. Depending on your personal situation, your tax benefit can be up to 45%. More information can be found here on our website.
Companies
We also invite companies to connect with this cause. ING, the global partner of the Concertgebouw Orchestra, wholeheartedly supports the fund. Are you considering contributing as a business? This can be done as a corporate partner of the Concertgebouw Orchestra or by becoming a member of our business club, De Salon. Membership in De Salon costs € 5,000 (excl. VAT) x 3 years and comes with various privileges. More information can be found here on our website.
Want to know more?
Would you like to contribute to better ratios at the symphonic top? Please contact the Development department of the Concertgebouw Orchestra:
- Anne Christin Erbe (director Foundation Concertgebouworkest) a.c.erbe@concertgebouworkest.nl
- Barbara Ruding (senior relatiebeheerder speciale projecten) b.ruding@concertgebouworkest.nl
- 0031 20 305 10 10.
