The Flemish Baroque orchestra La Petite Bande will lose its government subsidy in January 2013. The decision by the Flemish government comes despite almost 19,000 people worldwide signing a petition against cuts to the ensemble's funding.
 
La Petite Bande was founded in 1972 by violinist, violist and conductor Sigiswald Kuijken. He insisted that the group will keep going: ‘It’s terrible, but we will stay positive. We will not stop playing. The petition showed that lots of people are very positive about us and hopefully someone other than the government will help.’ He added that over the coming weeks the group would start making plans for its future.
 
The Flemish government decided to cease funding the ensemble on the advice of the Advisory Commission of Music, which assessed cultural projects across the country on their artistic importance and economic viability.

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