Lex Sip, an architect, has been attending the Residentie Orkest since he was a teenager . 'Over half a century of concert attendance, that creates a bond. That's why I started talking about bequeathing to the orchestra and the possibility of a named fund. That way, when I'm alive, I can do something for the orchestra that has always given and continues to give us so much.'

'For 52 years, my partner and I went to concerts very often. That started when Residentie Orkest was still playing in the Kurhaus, with conductor Willem van Otterloo. We moved along to the Nederlands Congresgebouw, later to the Dr. Anton Philipszaal and the Zuiderstrandtheater and of course now to Amare. Unfortunately, my partner did not get to experience that Last move.'

Getting people excited

'I've had the Symphonic Friday XL series for a few years now and am very pleased with it. I still buy a subscription with two tickets, so I always take someone along, which is incredibly cozy. That's regularly someone who wouldn't go to a classical concert by themselves. And they always want more and ask, "Can I go again next season? I love large orchestral works such as symphonies by Bruckner, Mahler and Shostakovich, but I also enjoy listening to piano and cello concerts. Almost every week is another highlight for me to be able to hear live the Residentie Orkest . And although I enjoy listening to music at home from time to time, for me nothing beats the experience of live music at the Concert Hall A whole evening full of it. I also find it inspiring to then regularly hear work unknown to me!

Making music

'I started playing the piano when I was eight years old and I still do. I regularly buy scores that I can't actually play, for example Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto. Discovering how such a work is put together is something I really enjoy. With some friends I occasionally play together, for example quatre mains and also jazz with a friend who plays the trumpet. My girl next door also sometimes joins in with her clarinet. Making music together is the most fun there is. Music is very pure and music brings people together with a shared passion. Especially now more than ever this is needed and therefore it is very important that live music continues to be heard and that music is passed on to future generations.

Named Fund

More than half a century of concert attendance at the Residentie Orkest; that creates a bond. 'My partner passed away a few years ago. There are no children to leave anything to, but there is a legacy, which I want to give a good use. Culture has always given us great pleasure and inspiration and broadened our view of the world. I would like to pass something of that on. That's why I started talking about bequeathing to the orchestra, and the possibility of a named fund. I think cultural education for children is very important. It has become very poor in schools. Children should be able to get acquainted with art and with music without fear or obligation. This used to be a matter of course, because it was part of regular education, but now culture is under pressure. Fortunately, Residentie Orkest does a lot of education, from rehearsal visits to lessons on musical instruments and conducting, and there is even a student orchestra, The Residents. I think it's very important that music is passed on to the youngest generation.

'The great thing about a Named Fund in life is not only that you do something useful for society but also that you still experience its deployment yourself, which is not the case with a legacy in a will. You get involved in the plans, you see children enjoying music. In this way you support something you enjoy and get something in return. That is worth gold and I would like to pass that on to other people: if you do something with it while you are alive, then you also get something in return while you are alive. It could hardly be more beautiful!