I don't believe one can fully express the pleasure, honor, and distinction of being elected to be president of a society of one's peers. I am thankful and humble, and pledge that I shall continue the work which has been so ably done by the officers before this time. We have survived some precarious times and after twelve years are a healthy and thriving group, thanks to the efforts of these many officers and members who brought us to where we are in 1983.
Your new officers will take over and press forward the activities of the society. Bill Baker, 1st Vice-President is oboe professor and head of winds at Ohio State University; Peter Klatt, 2nd Vice-President is associated with Berkeley based Forrest Wind Instruments; Nancy Fowler continues as Secretary and is oboe professor at Florida State University; Bill Davis is our new Treasurer and bassoon professor at University of Georgia; Jim Prodan, our Librarian, is oboe professor at University of North Carolina at Greensboro. (Note: Please see notice elsewhere concerning the new position of Executive Secretary-Treasurer.)
We had a very successful conference in Tallahassee with performers and visitors from over the world. Represented were Norway, Germany, Austria, England, Australia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and always a good contingent from Canada. France was highly represented by the magnificent Maurice Allard, conducting and playing, and his remarkable young pupil Sylvain Lhuissier, who placed second in the Gillet competition to winner David McGill of Tulsa. Bill Winstead and Nancy Fowler provided us with a great series of concerts. We thank them heartily.
In this issue you will find announcements concerning the next two conventions (Graz, Austria, August 11-15, 1984, and Boulder, Colorado, 1985); procedure for becoming a performer in Austria; and procedure for preregistering for the European convention. Please note these and read them carefully.
In closing, a very great deal of the credit for the society belongs not only to the nucleus of members who gave birth to and nursed us along for years, but to our editors, Gerald Corey, now replaced by Ron Klimko and Daniel Stolper. We are creating a great wealth of double reed information and news for those who will follow us. We are grateful to them and to those who contribute articles which we publish. Let us continue.
May you have a good professional season or school year and even a good reed or two.