SWEDEN--The Göteborg Wind Orchestra (GWO) is the last remaining professional, full-time civilian wind orchestra in Sweden. Until now, the group has been funded by three major sponsors: the city of Göteborg, the Swedish Cultural Department, and the Swedish Department of Defense. Unfortunately, the Swedish Defense Department recently decided not to renew their contract, meaning the orchestra is losing one-third of its funding. If the situation remains as it is now, the GWO will play its last concert on May 14th, 2009.

Seeking a solution to this problem, the GWO has created a petition and collecting signatures. Please visit the website and sign the petition. (You can view the petition in Swedish, English, or German, just click on the corresponding flag in the upper right-hand corner.

The url is: http://www.bevara.gwo.se/index_en.php.