Dear Friends, dear Patrons,
The words which, I feel, best express the multitude of images, sounds and feelings all jostling inside me when I think of these 15 years of existence are very simple: THANK YOU!
Thanks first of all to my musical colleagues who, with passion and professional integrity, have thrown themselves into this venture. Being a member of the NEC means to be curious, to excel oneself, to have an extraordinary openness and to be constantly taking risks. In the modern world, where we are tempted to opt for what is easy and instantaneous – to “zap” – , going to the trouble of interpreting new works and putting into them all one’s knowledge of performance is far from being a soft option. The fact that our team has remained almost the same ever since we started has created between us a close friendship and artistic understanding that are precious and unique, values that have subsequently been shared with newcomers.
Thanks also to our leader and artistic director, whose knowledge and patience have enabled us to arrive at this point. With constant perseverance, he has been able to solve a thousand and one little problems while never losing sight of our artistic ideals.
Thanks to the NEC committee who, it must be stressed, have given their services voluntarily for 15 years to create innovative musical programmes each season. This considerable amount of work is feasible thanks to the giving of each of the musician members, backed up by a professional administrative body.
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The generosity of each and every one contributes to a smooth running which is an essential ingredient in the NEC venture.
Thanks to our generous donors and sponsors, particularly the Loterie Romande, without whom nothing would be possible, and the Canton of Neuchâtel which, by favouring us with a 3-year special partnership, has shown its gratitude for our work and its confidence in our future projects. Thanks too to the town of La Chaux-de-Fonds, our birthplace, which has accorded us the honour of inviting us to the official ceremony of registration as a UNESCO World Heritage site, thus acknowledging us as a group worthy to represent the avant-garde spirit of the Mountains. Thanks to RSR-Espace 2 for regularly broadcasting our concerts and thus extending our circle of listeners.
Finally, Thanks to you! A musician without a public, a composition which remains on the writing desk, these have very little importance… without you. Thank you for your attentive ear throughout each season, thank you for your loyalty and encouragement. We look forward to the menu we shall be sharing together during the coming festivities.
Happy birthday!
Nathalie Dubois Laufer, president
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