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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."
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