Microsoft EMEA

Patrick de Smedt, former Chairman, Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa, addressed an audience of invited guests at a concert given by the EUBO in November at Bibliotheque Solvay in Brussels.

Good evening, Commissioners. We actually have two Commissioners tonight, I think that’s a great success. Also European ambassadors, members of the European Commission, European Parliament, we are very pleased to have you here with us tonight.

It certainly gives me great pleasure to join such a fine turnout of music-lovers in welcoming the European Union Baroque Orchestra. Microsoft, we are certainly very pleased to be a supporter of that Orchestra. Our company is what we call an IP innovation business. As to what we do we really develop software but we ask people to work together, to learn and certainly also cooperate. Therefore not only at work but also the communities and also certainly the arts.

And so enabling people to reach their full potential is really what inspires us at Microsoft. The music inspires certainly the creator, but also the performer and I think also the listener in all of us. It’s one of the great cultural media and something that every culture creates and often shares across boundaries not only of language but also of geography. And as particular people said, 'music expresses what cannot be said but on which it is impossible to remain silent'. Baroque music is surely one of the great examples of European cultural richness and diversity, caused by cross-fertilisation but also cooperation across Europe, a Europe that is strongly committed both to tradition and certainly also to innovation.

So to the EU Baroque Orchestra, which we believe is a wonderful symbol of Europe’s potential. It’s sort of a microcosm of Europe itself, integrated and working in harmony, yet at the same time recognising our rich cultural diversity. And the EUBO we believe is certainly also a great ambassador for European youth, here but also around the world. And that is why the EUBO inspires us with the passion and talent of their members, …. and with the beauty of their work as you will hear tonight.

We applaud and support the opportunity EUBO gives these fine young people to build careers, doing something they love and also something that society needs, and being guided by the best in their field. So ladies and gentlemen I add my thanks to you for coming this evening, to share your enthusiasm and support for these outstanding young Europeans and their wonderful music. Thank you and enjoy the evening.

Patrick de Smedt, former Chairman, Microsoft Europe Middle East and Africa, addressed an audience of invited guests at a concert given by the EUBO on 8 November 2004 at Bibliotheque Solvay in Brussels:

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, Ambassadors, Members of the European Commission, Members of the European Parliament, I would like to thank you all for being here with us tonight. I also want to extend a special welcome to the members of the Directorate General for Education and Culture at the European Commission who support the Orchestra’s activities.

Music is a universal language which is why musicians from around the globe can come together and – even if they do not speak the same language with their voices, they are able to communicate together through their instruments. This is a powerful notion. And for us, as the audience, we too are able to take part in this “conversation” because the power of music is such that we do not need to be able to write it, read it or play it in order for us to feel it in a deeply moving and powerful way.

This is an amazing feature of music and it is why I am proud to be here tonight on behalf of my company as a supporter of this great concert series. I believe that the more deeply we can be unified and share ideas and experiences together, the richer we all become.

This concert series, which includes a programme of diverse composers - Telemann, Handel, Zelenka, Muffat - and a broad group of musicians from 13 countries across the EU, represents the spirit that is at the heart of this Orchestra. And that is to bring the best of what we have to offer – as citizens, communities and countries - no matter what business we are in or what kind of work we do.

And so again, I am proud to be here as a strong supporter of the mission and vision of the European Union Baroque Orchestra. As a company, we strive to be a part of the fabric of communities throughout Europe. It’s a role we take seriously.
We view our contribution to the European Union Baroque Orchestra as an important aspect of that commitment. It’s an important part of the vision our company has of enabling people to realize their fullest potential.

With that, I want to thank you again for being here. I hope you enjoy this wonderful programme.
Thank you.

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Extract from a statement issued by Microsoft EMEA on 23 June 2003:

Paris, France – June 23, 2003 – Microsoft, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) today announced that it will become the principal sponsor of the European Union Baroque Orchestra, a unique initiative of the European Parliament and European Commission which enables talented young players of baroque instruments from all over the EU to benefit from training, performing and touring experiences.

As Microsoft celebrates of 20 years in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the company is hoping that its support of the European Union Baroque Orchestra will help many young players realize their potential. “ I am delighted that Microsoft can contribute to helping this uniquely talented orchestra ,”, said Horacio Gutierrez, Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs for Microsoft (EMEA). “ The Orchestra is a symbol of all that Europe should be - a microcosm of Europe itself - fully integrated and working in harmony, yet at the same time recognising and celebrating its rich cultural diversity ”.

In addition to offering performing and touring experiences that are not available elsewhere, The European Union Baroque Orchestra, or EUBO as it more usually known, also helps young players acquire the necessary skills to enter the professional musical world. Created in 1985 as part of European Music Year, the Orchestra recruits annually young musicians (average age 24) by open audition who spend one season under the direction of the finest exponents in the field. The Orchestra is of 'chamber-size' with around 22 players drawn typically from at least 10 EU countries each year, who communicate through the universal language of music. The Orchestra, which is supported by the European Commission, is privileged to have the status of a cultural ambassador for the EU. In addition to its many prestigious Festival appearances in Europe, EUBO has also been fervent in reaching less favoured regions. For example, EUBO was the first orchestra of its kind to visit Gaza and Ramallah, Soweto, Zhenjiang, Calí, Gaberone, Mostar…

Paul James, the General Administrator of EUBO, said that the partnership with Microsoft could not have come at a better time for the Orchestra. " Without this lifeline that Microsoft is providing, the European Union Baroque Orchestra, which fulfills such an important role for young musicians at a critical point in their careers, would not be able to continue to provide this valuable training resource. The partnership means that we can plan with confidence once again, and to look for new and innovative ways of maintaining the quality, health and vitality of baroque music performance and heritage worldwide ."

Extract from a leading article in International Arts Manager July 2003

EUBO leads the way... first signs of sponsorship recovery

"At the end of June the European Union Baroque Orchestra (EUBO) announced that it had secured sponsorship from software giant Microsoft. In a year that has been plagued by war, economic downturn and yet more orchestras going bankrupt, this appeared to be a positive development, especially since many corporations have recently withdrawn their support for the arts.

For the ensemble, which lost its sponsor of 14 years Matsushita Electric, in March, Microsoft's decision to provide EUR50,000 ($55,760) was a huge relief and meant the orchestra could continue its activities. ' Microsoft agreed to help us out with the shortfall for the 2003 season, but it has also given an informal indication hat it is interested in sponsoring the orchestra in the medium to long term ' says Emma Wilkinson, orchestra manager.

Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa, which is the division behind the sponsorship, was interested in the orchestra because of its European profile. However, Microsoft's company philosophy also seemed appropriate to the EUBO. ' Its aim is to help individuals to achieve their potential ,' explains Wilkinson."