As we see 1984 pass into memory there are some things I need to share with you. First of all, the routine reminders about nominations for officers for the next two years. Elsewhere in this issue you will find the announcement of the nominating committee and the procedures for making nominations. Election is held at the summer convention.
Secondly, notice the announcement concerning the naming of Honorary members. We elected none in Graz in 1984, and I sincerely hope we can have some good suggestions for this year's committee. You may contact any member of the committee.
To our members who live outside the North American continent: The cost of mailing your issues of the journal and The Double Reed by air mail is now too high for our present dues fee. If you still wish to receive your issues by air please note the announcement by Executive SecretaryTreasurer Lowry Riggins as to paying an extra amount with your 1985 dues.
Dr. Bob Olson has already arranged an interesting convention for us in Boulder, and William Davis has the Gillet competition under way (for bassoons).
A few years ago the International Double Reed Society joined the Horn, Clarinet and Flute societies in commissioning a woodwind quintet by Richard Rodney Bennett. It has been completed and is published by Novello. We expect it to be performed for us in Boulder.
I would like to take some time to bring all of you up to date on what may be circulating as a rumor at this time. It has to do with the convention in Graz.
As you may know the convention was organized by a committee of Austrians, and principally Dr. Werner Schulze of Vienna. Hindsight now shows that the officers and the Austrian group were not clear in understanding and relationship between the society and the people who organize a convention. There now exists a difference of opinions as to the responsibility for a rather large indebtedness remaining from the Graz meetings. The officers were under the impression that all was well and the Austrians assumed that the society would underwrite any convention expenses. This difference of opinion still remains. The officers felt there were unnecessary expenses and the organizers felt they were essential.
This difference of opinion does not change two things. One, the convention was tremendously successful from the artistic view, and two, the indebtedness still remains.
What is being done about it? The executive committee has sent a letter of appeal for funds to all from North America who attended the congress, and the Europeans, who outnumbered the North Americans three to one, will also be contacted as soon as a determination can be made as to where their contributions should be sent. We hope that we can, by doing this, remove most or all of the debt.
I must point out that the executive committee has no plans to use the dues of those who did not attend the convention to reduce the debt of the convention. It cannot be done, simply because the dues just barely cover publishing costs now.
As you know, your officers are all amateurs
at their jobs, and are doing their best. We trust that this learning
experience will prevent any further convention problems.