Created in 1984 by the efforts of the Entente Régionale de Savsoie (an association of the departments of Savoie and Haute Savoie), the Rhône-Alpes Regional Council, with the backing of the Ministry of Cultsure, the Orchestre des Pays do Savoie is one of France’s thirty or so permanent orchestras. Since its creation, its musical directors have been Patrice Fontanarosa, Tibor Varga and, since 1993, Mark Foster, whose contract was renewed in 1996. The orchestra’s mission is twofold: to decentralise quality musical production into all the cantons of the two Savoy departments, with wider diffusion in the Rhône-Alpes Region of concerts and national and international festivals. The orchestra does not restrict itself to standard repertoire, accommodating rarely heard composers or works, as well as the latest artistic trends. It has built up useful partnerships with many local actors, amateur and professional, runs educational projects to make young people more musically aware and to make music accessible to new audiences. It also works with well-known soloists.