The MCO Foundation was established in March 2008. on tour discusses the Foundation’s sponsorshipopportunities and goals with Karin Berger, member of the Foundation’s council, and Andreas Richter, General Manager of the orchestra.
Mrs. Berger, what is your personal connection to music and to the MCO in particular? Karin Berger: I was able to experience, in 1997, how some of the best musicians of the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester came together to found the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. They made a conscious decision to become an independently financed orchestra which plays the best music with the highest standards. Now they’re in the Champions League. But these last eleven years have not been without sacrifice! Classical music has given a lot to me in my life, and I would like to give something back. I hope to do this now with the MCO Foundation.
What form does your involvement with the orchestra take? Karin Berger: My husband and I have been associated with the orchestra since the founding of the MCO. We got involved because of our own convictions and also at the request of Claudio Abbado. Now the Foundation will create a solid financial base for the orchestra. But it should also be a home for the MCO, a piece of its heart. The Foundation doesn’t want its involvement to be purely financial; we also want to build a network for the MCO with words, deeds and good contacts.
How did this idea to establish the MCO Foundation come about? Andreas Richter: Foundations are on everyone’s mind these days, because the legislature just increased the tax incentives to donate to foundations. A foundation always has a clear and unchangeable mission; a donor can be certain that his donation will be used in the way that he intends. And of course we want to involve people in the Foundation who will help us expand our network.
How are you involved with the Foundation? Andreas Richter: As the General Manager, I attend the meetings but have no vote. My role is to suggest prospective projects for support and to develop concepts for collaboration with various partners.
What’s your opinion about the recent debate on jurisdiction: that the state is pulling back from supporting culture and asking private citizens and businesses to step up? Karin Berger: I believe that stronger private involvement can have many advantages for culture. People like to donate when they’re personally involved in the culture business, when they get information first-hand and get to help in making decisions. But state financing has to remain the base of our cultural life, even though there are an increasing number of problems here, from the inadequate funds to the often antiquated structures.
Is a foundation also a confidence-building measure? Andreas Richter: A foundation is an establishment which exists at a comfortable distance from politics, whose purpose and goals are not affected by political change. This means reliability and trustworthiness. Nevertheless, a foundation can only survive when enough people get involved.
What, exactly, is the mission of the MCO Foundation? Andreas Richter: The primary mission is to provide financial support for the MCO’s concert and opera programmes. Projects in education and in new music are especially worthy of this support.
Which projects does the Foundation want to launch? Karin Berger:Initially, the Foundation will have to focus on establishing a wide network of donors before we can turn our thoughts to concrete artistic projects that need our support. But we are already thinking about scholarships for young musicians and commissioned works.
Does the MCO have a certain «audience of donors» in mind? Karin Berger: We are thinking first and foremost about people who are as international and mobile as the orchestra itself. Of course, we are also approaching businesses and foundations with similar goals.
What possibilities does the Foundation offer its donors in Germany and abroad? Andreas Richter: Donations from Germany, which is the legal seat of the Foundation, are tax-deductible, as are donations from many other nations, such as Great Britain, France, and the Benelux countries. But what is even more important for us is that our donors have the opportunity to participate in our projects, so that we can build an international network that extends beyond music. And, last but certainly not least, our donors can be certain that they are actively supporting a very unique orchestra.
Support doesn’t have to be financial. What other opportunities do you see to contribute to the MCO? Andreas Richter: We’re grateful for professional consulting and support, and also for ideas on how to find more donors. Recently, a member of the foundation asked for donations to the MCO instead of birthday gifts – that resulted in a pleasantly high sum.
