Bassoonist Robert Barris (Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois), writes:

I thought the I.D.R.S. readers might enjoy the enclosed picture. I had learned that two close friends of my mine who hadn't seen each other in years, John Miller and Will Roberts, were both going to be in the Chicago area on the same weekend. John was going to be giving a master class at Northwestern for me and Will was coming to hear his son Tim's senior recital on saxophone, also at Northwestern. After a few hasty phone calls Norbert Nielubowski and I arranged a "miniconvention" that Norbert was kind enough to host. I can't think of another gathering of so many principal bassoonists - Not even the I.D.R.S. conventions!

Seated, left to right:

Steve Basson, principal, Milwaukee Symphony Bob Barris, Northwestern University Will Roberts, principal and personnel manager, Dallas Symphony, Bruce Grainger, associate principal, Chicago Symphony, Willard Elliot, principal, Chicago Symphony

Standing, left to right:

Norbert Nielubowski, former contra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, now acting second, Minnesota Orchestra Jim Berkenstock, principal, Lyric Opera of Chicago Bob Broemel, principal, Indiana Symphony Joe Urbinato, principal, Music of the Baroque Bill Kaplan, University of Illinois - Circle Campus John Miller, principal, Minnesota Orchestra Kathy Cook, Chicago free-lancer Dan Reich, Chicago free-lancer

Contrabassoonist Catherine McGuire (Springfield, Illinois) writes: "When I bought my new Contra, a friend of mine who is a potter made the piggy bank for me, so I couldn't resist taking a picture of it. I think perhaps others who have made those payments at the bank would appreciate Contra Aid".

This man with curving stem in jaw
Looks like he's sucking through a straw;
In truth, he's breathing out a tune
Into the tube of a Bassoon;
He looks absurd, the silly gink,
And that's why many people think
Bassoonists should be heard not seen
Or else replaced by a machine.

Can you imagine how much the "Deluxe" meal at Heckel's Restaurant would cost in American dollars?!! Bassoonists (left to right) Heather Clark, Laine Bryce, and Daniel Breining of the South Minneapolis Bassoon Quartet are pictured in proud salute. photo by Jennifer Martz

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