The Danish National Chamber Orchestra, which was on the brink of shutting down after funding for the ensemble was canceled, has raised enough money from private donations to keep the orchestra open. The DNCO learned last year that on Jan. 1, 2015, it would be shut down due to budget cuts.
The short notice announcement came as a surprise to the 75-year-old ensemble, which employs 42 musicians as well as an artistic team. But, it was not going to take the news lying down. The group started a Kickstarter campaign to raise 3 million Danish kroner -- about $300,000 -- to help get the money to stay open.
“In Denmark, the DNCO is mostly known for its groundbreaking work in bridging the gap between classical and popular music,” states the DNCO’s campaign website. The orchestra is “one of the few European chamber orchestras that play both classical concerts at an international level, as well as big shows with popular appeal, known and loved by a broad fan base in Denmark.”
The orchestra received more than a third of the money from supporters but hit a snag when a Kickstarter rule prevented it from allowing single donations of more than 50,000 kroner. Subsequently, the orchestra canceled its Kickstarter campaign and asked everyone who had already pledged money to resubmit its cash in other forms before Feb. 28, and it seems to have worked. Kickstarter also included the campaign in its “Projects We Love” newsletter to help garner backers. Public support and private donations have made it so the DNCO is able to continue to stay open in Denmark.
The DNCO has made headlines before after the entire orchestra played in a shopping center in Copenhagen, but its real claim to fame came when it played “Tango Jalouise” after all members consumed the worlds hottest chili pepper.
The first benefit concert will be conducted by the orchestra’s chief conductor Adam Fischer Feb. 1, performing Mozart’s 25th and 35th symphonies as well as his Exsultate, jubilate.
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