The Federation of Musical Societies of Indre (FSMI) held its general meeting at the Vendoeuvres village hall on Sunday November 10. Of the thirty-seven companies that make it up, twenty-five of them were represented at this meeting chaired by Jean-Pierre Geneste.
“A very important role since they make music accessible to everyone”
Among the musical societies in the department, eighteen of them benefit from courses run by the FSMI with twenty-two teachers. “The FSMI and its associations fulfill a very important role since they make music accessible to everyone, both financially and through its proximity, explained Jean-Pierre Genest. Our entity is based as a whole on volunteering and represents an attractiveness for Indre. »
432 students in the department
In total, 432 students in the department receive lessons in various instruments (clarinet, saxophone, flute, drum, percussion, trumpet, drums, trombone, bagpipes, accordion, guitar, piano), officiating in brass bands or in various choirs like that of Vendoeuvres, Vent de Voix, which animated the ceremony at the war memorial, but also numerous music theory lessons.
A deficit of €19,916
Patricia Bernard, director of the FSMI, presented the financial report which showed a deficit of €19,916. The forecast for the 2024-2025 season is not much better. This requires the FSMI to find solutions to overcome these difficulties. We must also anticipate a possible reduction in subsidies due to the budget cuts that the government wants to impose on local authorities.
Jean-Pierre Geneste is well aware of this: “For our operation, subsidies come to us from the departmental council and the Region, which allows us to pay our teachers, their mileage allowances as well as end-of-career allowances. Before continuing, we need to find solutions to have a balanced budget, because, following the latest declarations, the Region wants to make savings on culture and I am afraid that music will pay the price. »
Some solutions were therefore presented, such as that of Alexandra Lemerle, professor and musical delegate: “We need to evolve and open our lessons to new disciplines such as the violin, the harp…”
Finally, note that the ODJ is changing its name to become AMI (Accord musical de l'Indre), directed by Benoit Meunier, while the ODC (Cadet Departmental Orchestra), directed by Claire Laleu, wishes to welcome more young musicians with two years of practice.
Next event: Christmas Brass concert, conducted by Ludovic Rabier, Sunday December 8 at 4:30 p.m. in the Déols church.
