L'Académie de Musique de Paris is crowd funding for 2014/2015

Note: I have modified this post, because the previous one was little too gloating about not having to do fundraising this year. Which is hardly fair to those parents in the CYO, specifically mentioned, who have put in a huge effort to make the Germany tour possible for all families. So thanks to all those families putting in time and energy and creativity for successful fundraising.

All this year, I've observed from afar, with some relief and a little guilt as I sit comfortably far away and unable to help, as Calgary Youth Orchestra parents throw themselves enthusiastically into fundraising efforts for the Germany tour. By contrast, Silke's orchestra in Paris, is (or rather "was", but that is getting ahead of myself) entirely funded through concert ticket sales. In previous years, they had sold some years close to 10,000 concert tickets in a season, at an average price that I estimate to be around 25-30 €. It may be just bad luck - a fluke year, or it may be cosmic justice at my inward glee at not having to do fundraising this year, but for whatever reason, this year they are far short of the number of tickets sold required to break even. To the point that the survival of this wonderful gem of a cultural institution is imperilled. Actually, the most likely, and most depressing explanation, is that even Paris, a veritable oasis of cultural richness and of large and enthusiastic (and paying) audiences for every manner of spectacle - that even Paris is not immune from the general worldwide downward trend in interest in all forms of culture and live performance, and in classical music in particular.

And so, for the first time, l'Académie de musique de Paris is engaging in that most American, and very un-French, activity: fundraising. (I except of course from being called un-French that form of fundraising practiced by the beggars in the metros: it is impossible to be five minutes in the metro without encountering an well-expressed and well-rehearsed appeal to that variety of fundraising.) So, with much enthusiasm for the latest in tech-sector trends, the Academy has launched their first-ever crowd funding appeal! I'm personally not convinced this is the best approach for an musical institution, since if they don't meet their ambitious goal, they get nothing. But what do I know? So, with appropriate encouragements to everyone to open their wallets, here is the website - the English version even :

http://www.kisskissbankbank.com/en/projects/academie-de-musique-de-paris

There is a promotional video there, and if nothing else (by "else" I mean money, which you probably don't have because of your already generous donations to cancer research and the food bank and the animal shelter and the church and Girl Guides and children's soccer team and your neighbour's 400km bike-for-a-noble-cause have already exceed your budget for benevolence), you can watch it and play "how many times can you spot Silke". The answer is a lot, although it is easy to over-count, because it seems in recent previous years, there was also a blond with long hair in the assistent concert-master's seat. Hint: If the assistent concert-master is wearing a low-cut dress slit up the leg, it's not Silke.

So why not click on the site and make a pledge? After all, your credit card will only be charged if they meet their goal. An unlikely event. Made slightly less unlikely insofar as I convince people of its unlikelihood. Edit: Turns out your credit card will be charged, but you will get a refund if they don't make their goal.

Update: Last night's concert, the last of the season, was nearly sold out, and that in Cirque d'Hiver, which seats 1500. So that will help towards balancing the books. It was a phenomenal concert.