Netherlands / Nederland

Recent plans by the Dutch government to dismantle the Broadcast Music Centre in Hilversum (which include abolishing the orchestra and chorus) may result in the disappearance of one of western Europe's largest sheet music libraries.

Unless independent funds can be raised by the MCO library in the next nine months, the scores will be sold to dealers or worse.  Around 5,000 have already been digitized, the rest will be lost.

“Het heeft Hare majesteit behaagd om Martie Severt te benoemen tot Ridder in de Orde van Oranje Nassau".
With these Royal words mayor Eberhard van der Laan of Amsterdam appointed NRML-manager Martie Severt as Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau on Friday 27 April around 10 a.m.

The new Dutch cabinet has threatened to close the Muzikcentrum van de Omroep (Netherlands Broadcasting Music Centre), a move that would end four musical ensembles and the library that serves them. After years of performances on world stages, over the radio waves, and online, the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic, the Netherlands Radio Choir, and the Metropole Orchestra could be silenced.