The Metropole Orchestra (or Het Metropole Orkest) is a jazz and pop orchestra based in the Netherlands, and is the largest full time ensemble of its kind in the world.
A hybrid orchestra, it is a combination of jazz big band and symphony orchestra.
Comprising 52 musicians, it is versatile across many musical forms, and is equipped with a "double rhythm section“ - one for pop , and one for jazz based music.
It was founded in 1945 by Dolf van der Linden at the urging of officials from Netherlands Public Broadcasting, which manages and subsidizes the orchestra.
Since then, the Metropole has become a symbol of Dutch culture around the world.
The orchestra is a regular feature at the North Sea Jazz festival and the yearly Holland Festival along with many TV and radio programs broadcast to millions.
The ever-growing Dutch film and television industry relies heavily on the Metropole Orchestra for its film scores.
Since 2005 the Metropole is under the baton of its Chief, four-time Grammy Award winner Vince Mendoza, and can be seen frequenting the concert stage, in festivals and on recordings in the Netherlands as well as internationally.
Although the Metropole Orchestra is world-reknowned for its unique adaptations to classic Jazz work and unique partnerings i.e.with Basement Jaxx, all of this may soon come to an end.
After 68 years, the government is looking to pull the plug on funding.
This has prompted an online petition to go around in attempts to save the famous orchestra and Dutch cultural icon.
Please sign this petition: http://petities.nl/p...rkest-verdwijnt
Thanks !
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