Swiss Global Artistic Foundation

On Thursday, 5 June, the Modigliani Quartet appeared at the National Arts Club in New York with The Evangelists--the rare matched set of Vuillaume instruments recently loaned to them by the Foundation.

Please click the underlined date to read the programme and invitation, and visit the Events section to view the full article.

For four days in April, Swiss Global returned to the picturesque mountaintop town of Glion, Switzerland, high in the Alps, for an encore presentation of Impressionist music and art. Entitled Jours des Arts V: Impressionism and Beyond, Swiss Global's signature festival gave eager audience members a treat for the eyes, ears and taste buds!

Please see the Events section to read the full article, and click the underlined date to read the programme.

St John violin 1	St Mark violin 2	St Matthew viola	St Luke cello

The Evangelists, a rare matched set of string quartet instruments by J-B Vuillaume, have been acquired by the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation from the leading French luthier Etienne Vatelot and will be loaned to our artists, the Modigliani Quartet.

Please click on the date above for further information.

The Foundation announces Swiss Global Artists Management, created to facilitate our promotion of some of the world's finest young talent. Dr Peter Tregear, the eminent Australian musician, lecturer, administrator and SGAF Advisory Board member, will head the team as Artists Manager. According to Dr Tregear, the organisation will offer "promotional, logistic and managerial support for Swiss Global artists as they develop their concert careers." Dr Tregear has had a successful and varied career to date as a performer and producer of concerts in both Europe and Australia, and will be drawing on that experience to develop a presence for Swiss Global artists, particularly in Australasia and Switzerland.

The Lake Geneva region, home to Swiss Global's International Headquarters, was the subject of a feature article written by the Foundation's Public Relations Advisor, Michael Green. The eminent Swiss-based British journalist was commissioned by Sawasdee, the official magazine of Thai Airways, to mark the occasion of the 80th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol of Thailand. King Bhumibol, the world's longest serving monarch, spent most of his youth and educative years in the region.

Please see the Press section to view the complete article.

The London-based philanthropic organisation announced the recent appointment of Swiss Global Founder and Director Heather de Haes to the role of Chairman. Ms de Haes currently serves as a Trustee of the Foundation, and was a featured speaker at the opening of its Australian branch in Sydney last November.

For nearly three decades, the Australian Music Foundation has offered financial support to outstanding young Australian musicians who wish to pursue advanced music education at top European institutions. Every year the Foundation makes grants to one or more carefully selected students whom the Australian Music Foundation and its specially selected panel of judges believe will excel in their artistry, and to whom financial support is essential to assist them in undertaking courses of study at the leading music colleges in Europe. Its President, Lord Carrington KG, and its Joint Life Presidents Dame Joan Sutherland DBE, Richard Bonynge CBE and Sir Charles Mackerras CH AC CBE, are supported by Patron-in-Chief HRH The Prince of Wales KG and Patron Mr Richard Alston, High Commissioner for Australia.

Swiss Global Artistic Director Geoffrey Simon (r) with the Foundation's US Counsel and Advisory Board member Jonathon Moore, high in the Alpine summits above Villars, Switzerland.

Relaxation was in order after discussions over our newly-achieved charitable status in the United States.

The Foundation proudly announces its charitable status in the United States. The "American Friends of the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation, Inc." is hereby recognized as a Public Charity, and under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, donations made to the charity are now tax-exempt in the United States. Similar status exists in Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The newly-acquired charity status was made possible through the legal assistance of Advisory Board member Jonathon Moore at Moore & Bruce, LLP in Washington, D.C.

Please click the underlined date to read the "Determination Letter", the legal document guaranteeing Swiss Global's privileges as a United States Charity.

For additional information on how you may make a tax-deductible contribution to the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation, please see the Become a Member/Sponsor section.

The Swiss Global Artistic Foundation is delighted to introduce its "new look" website. Designed in New York by Keith Mastandrea at Ambush Inc, the site includes multimedia capabilities and an enhanced visual presentation. The simplified layout maintains full and immediate access to Foundation information.

Please visit the Events section for a full briefing on the exciting Swiss Global concerts, projects, and other activities scheduled for 2008.

As part of its efforts to assist in the career development of its Young Artists, Swiss Global is supporting the baritone Thomas Weinhappel in an upcoming concert tour throughout Australia.  The Austrian baritone will be accompanied by pianist and Collaborative Artist Stephen Delaney, himself an Australian native now living in Vienna.  Concert dates are scheduled for early to mid-September, with tour cities including Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.  Schubert, Schumann and other Germanic notables will figure prominently in the performed repertoire, which is also expected to include works of modern Austrian composers.

Swiss Global Artistic Director Geoffrey Simon served as Juror at the 2008 Young Concert Artists International Competition, held 19 January in New York. Top awards were granted to Narek Hakhnazaryan cello and Pius Cheung marimba (pictured left), with the latter being granted the Swiss Global Performance Prize. This annually-donated prize carries a cash award and performance opportunity in Europe. As a result of Swiss Global's award, Mr Cheung will be presented in concert in Switzerland this October. The Foundation has appreciated a long and productive collaboration with the YCA organisation.

The southern coast of England saw the debut performances of pianist and Swiss Global Young Artist Benjamin Moser with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Concerts in Brighton and Eastbourne (12 and 13 January, respectively) featured the German artist in Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, with Michal Dworzynski conducting. Both performances produced thunderous ovation from the packed houses, and led to a well-received encore the second evening. Mr Moser's participation with the London Philharmonic was fully underwritten by the Foundation, which enjoys a successful collaboration with the orchestra.

Please see the Events section for further information.