Thanks to resolute action by Phia Berghout and aid from the government an enthusiastic benefactors, the country estate of Queekhoven at Breukelen on the River Vecht was purchased in 1963. From then on, the Netherlands had an artistic haven without equal where hundreds of guest tutors of international standing and thousands of course participants frorn all corners of the world could spend shorter or longer periods. The foundation has been established at Queekhoven for nearly 20 years, 20 fruitful years in which an almost endless of series of master classes has been given with substantial government grants.
But as this government money began to dry up in the early 80s, the continued existence of the foundation in its then form was at stake. A merger with other organizations also active in the music field was considered but eventually not thougth desirable. In 1983, the Board and administration were compelled to dispose of the Queekhoven property.