Rosmarie Quadranti

Rosmarie Quadranti, President of the Swiss Music Council SMR, answers questions from the Schweizer Musikzeitung.

How are you and the SMR doing after this year?

Well, the question about how I feel personally is quickly answered: I'm glad I haven't fallen ill, and the longer the pandemic lasts, the more impatient I become. I can hardly wait for the vaccinations to take effect and for life to return to normal: simply drinking a beer in a pub, listening to live music, visiting a theater, going to the zoo, enjoying a museum ...

The Music Council as an umbrella organization was under a lot of pressure: the board members in their associations and institutions, Nina Rindlisbacher and myself as members of the Culture Taskforce. And yet I still have the feeling that we are quite powerless.

What is particularly drastic for you about the Corona period?

The fact that we are still far too little involved is a crucial factor. Although the federal government (Federal Council and BAK) and the cantons are now talking to us (thanks to the Culture Taskforce), we are still not actually involved. The most drastic experience was probably the fact that there are no suitable structures for the cultural sector to be involved in decisions and measures during crises. However, I was delighted by the creativity and willpower of the music world in particular, which refuses to give in and fights back.

How do you think the corona period is changing the music profession and your association?

The Swiss Music Council has gained in strength. It was recognized. It became clear that individuals cannot achieve much in crises, so the SMR, for example, is needed.

However, the extent of the damage that this pandemic has caused to individual musicians, event organizers, institutions and amateurs will probably only become apparent much later.

What question would you like to ask the Federal Council or what would you like them to do to revive the music scene?

As a member of the Culture Taskforce, we have asked and continue to ask the Federal Council questions. In the midst of the crisis, regular discussions were established with Federal Councillor Alain Berset. That was important. So I don't want to ask the Federal Council a question, but rather repeat a demand: "The resurgence of the music scene will succeed in the best possible way if it is actually heavily involved in the development and implementation of a revitalization strategy." And a big request to the Federal Council is also that new forms of cooperation are defined. Because, unfortunately, it cannot be ruled out that the next crisis will come.