Bundesmusikverband Chor & Orchester e.V.

The Bundesmusikverband Chor & Orchester e.V. (BMCO) is the central umbrella organization of amateur music in Germany, founded on March 29, 2019, through the merger of the Federal Association of German Choir Associations (BDC) and the Federal Association of German Orchestra Associations (BDO)[3][4].

The BMCO represents the interests of over 14 million people who make music in their leisure time and includes 21 nationwide secular and church choir and orchestra associations with about 100,000 ensembles. The main mission of the BMCO is to promote music practice among broad sections of the population, improve the necessary framework conditions, and strengthen the public perception of amateur music. The association is driven by a passion for music, the belief that making music together has a positive effect at all ages and life stages, and the certainty that high-quality grassroots work enables musical development to the highest level[1][3][4].

• Advocacy and Networking: The BMCO represents the interests of amateur musicians to politics and the public and connects the member associations and their base, the choirs, orchestras, and music clubs.
• Training Formats: The association develops cross-genre training formats, particularly on the topics of volunteering and recruiting young talent.
• Funding Programs: The BMCO is a program partner in various funding programs such as "Culture Makes Strong. Alliances for Education" (with the project "Music for All!") and "MusicOnSite" for innovative music projects in rural areas. Additionally, it implements rescue programs like NEUSTART AMATEURMUSIK and IMPULS to secure and revive amateur music after the Corona pandemic[1][3][4].

• Days of Choir and Orchestra Music: The BMCO organizes this event annually, where the Zelter and Pro-Musica plaques awarded by the Federal President are presented.
• National Competitions: The association is responsible for the German Choir Competition, the German Orchestra Competition, and the "Youth Makes Music" competition.
• Hans-Lenz Medal: This medal is awarded annually to individuals or institutions that have distinguished themselves in anchoring music in society, appreciating amateur music, and promoting cultural youth education[3][4].

The BMCO is committed to the preservation and development of choir and orchestra music as a cultural community task. It promotes volunteer engagement and supports music lovers in providing comprehensive cultural basic services, especially in rural areas. Furthermore, the association focuses on sustainability through programs like "Music for All!" and "MusicOnSite," which promote access to music for children and young people as well as innovative music projects in rural areas. Another example is the funding project for dementia-sensitive music-making in choirs and orchestras, which is carried out as part of the National Dementia Strategy[1][3][4].

The BMCO is committed to multivocality, open-mindedness, and diversity and advocates for the promotion of these values in the German choir scene and orchestra culture. The association is politically independent, run by volunteers, and credible in its work[1][3].

The Bundesmusikverband Chor & Orchester e.V. is thus a central pillar of the amateur music scene in Germany, strengthening musical culture and education in society through its diverse activities and funding programs.

• 1 - https://www.b-b-e.de/mitglieder/verzeichnis/detail/bundesmusikverband-chor-orchester-ev/
• 2 - https://cultureactioneurope.org/members-director-with-map/
• 3 - https://bundesmusikverband.de/bmco-2/
• 4 - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundesmusikverband_Chor_&_Orchester
• 5 - https://bundesmusikverband.de