Alongside young musical talents

Alexandre Bessonov, film music composer and orchestrator

I received a grant from the Societe Generale Foundation during my last two years of studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse in Paris. Helping students in this way at the end of their studies is essential to prepare and support their entry into the professional world. For me, who turned to musical composition for cinema and animation, this allowed me to buy digital equipment, knowing that today we compose with powerful computers and very advanced software, which means it’s expensive. I was able to produce music for video mapping, including a Son & Lumière show in Orléans and the Fête des Images in Épinal in 2020, for cine-concerts, short films ... Today, it is important for me to be able to complete projects over the course of my encounters in the world of images, and thus nourish my artistic universe. I am also still open to projects in the field of theatre and video games.

Ninon Hannecart-Ségal, pianist

I’m nearing the end of my studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse in Paris, and the Societe Generale Foundation gave me a grant in 2020 to purchase a piano. I didn’t have my own instrument until then. However, for the contemporary repertoire that I am working on, I needed a precise model, a baby grand with specific characteristics. That assistance, which built on aid received from other patrons previously, was precious to me. 

Beyond the financial aspect, cultural sponsorship is very important for students who are starting to embark on a professional path. It is a form of recognition. It means they believe in us, and the fact of being distinguished by the awarding of a scholarship or a prize at a festival opens doors, facilitates meetings, gives access to new programs and new projects. Especially since the path of contemporary creation that I have chosen is a hard one. Receiving that kind of boost was particularly welcome last year, when we were all a little lost with the public health crisis and the closure of performance venues to the public.