Mission & Vision
Founded in 2011 by renowned French conductor Claire Gibault, Paris Mozart Orchestra (PMO) is a collective of independent musicians united by a shared artistic vision and collaborative spirit. Each season, PMO performs both in prestigious venues around the world—such as the Philharmonie de Paris, Auditorium National de Lyon, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and Muziekgebouw Eindhoven—as well as in hospitals, schools, and prisons, where the Orchestra conducts ambitious artistic and educational outreach and initiatives.
PMO stands out not only for its musical excellence, but also for its strong social commitment, driven by the conviction that meaningful artistic choices are inseparable from social consciousness. Beyond its multidisciplinary cultural offerings and musical performances, the Orchestra is committed to fostering dialogue and social inclusion, particularly in places far from cultural programs, underserved neighborhoods, and rural areas.
Through these initiatives, PMO aims to break down barriers between audiences and classical music, championing a model of the orchestra as a space for discourse, education, and social engagement. From supporting women conductors to working with youth in underserved areas, PMO redefines what a modern orchestra can be: artistically ambitious and deeply engaged with the world.
Actions Led
Social and educational initiatives are central to PMO’s mission. Beyond performing music, PMO is a driving force for social change. It champions access to music and culture through concrete actions promoting equal opportunities. PMO believes that an orchestra should not be exclusive, but rather a place for encounters with all audiences.
Orchestre Au Bahut: Through its flagship program “Orchestre Au Bahut” (Orchestra at School) it partners with schools—from nursery to high school—in underserved neighborhoods, helping students engage in the creative process. Students become co-creators of artistic projects, collaborating directly with musicians with the support of local teachers and educators.
Community Outreach: Beyond school-based activities, PMO actively engages with vulnerable groups, conducting workshops with individuals experiencing severe hardship or disabilities, initiatives for youth from underserved urban or rural areas, activities in hospitals and psychiatric care facilities, and performances in prisons.
Supporting Women Conductors: PMO is dedicated to advancing parity in classical music. Claire Gibault, the first woman conductor to lead performances at La Scala in Milan, has championed the orchestra’s efforts to expand access to leadership for emerging talent in classical music. Through its internationally acclaimed “La Maestra, Competition and Academy,” created in 2020 in partnership with the Philharmonie de Paris, PMO helps pave the way for more women conductors to take their place in the spotlight.
Projects That U.S. Donors Can Support
U.S.-based donors have the opportunity to support two flagship initiatives that reflect the Paris Mozart Orchestra’s commitment to inclusion, innovation, and artistic excellence:
La Maestra Competition & Academy
Following a landmark first edition in September 2020, La Maestra Competition—co-directed by Claire Gibault, Artistic and Musical Director of the Paris Mozart Orchestra, and Olivier Mantei, General Director of the Philharmonie de Paris—has become a major international classical music event. Celebrating women conductors, this competition occurs biennially in Paris, welcoming global participants. Accompanied by an Academy, La Maestra provides two years of professional support for laureates.
Through this initiative, PMO and Philharmonie de Paris pursue three main goals;
- Inspiring new vocations among women musicians and conductors;
- Uniting the international music community to support talented female conductors;
- Providing visibility and support to these conductors, addressing the gaps often experienced during their training.
Support this transformative platform for the next generation of conductors.
Orchestre au Bahut (Orchestra at School)
PMO passionately advocates for universal access to culture and collective musical practices, which also foster civic engagement. This is why the Orchestra has developed “Orchestra at School”, an innovative educational initiative designed and implemented in close collaboration with the French Ministry of Education in the Ile-de-France and Centre-Val de Loire regions. This initiative expands access to classical music by challenging traditional norms and engaging students and teachers in a collegial and interactive manner. Through this program, the Paris Mozart Orchestra contributes to combating school failure, exclusion, and all forms of sociocultural discrimination.
Each year, driven by significant support from local teachers and educators, PMO collaborates with approximately twenty primary, middle, and high schools on ambitious artistic co-creations involving multidisciplinary teaching teams.
Help bring music, creativity, and opportunity to students who need it most.