The idea of a library for the International Double Reed Society originated at the first I.D.R.S. conference held at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the summer of 1972. Bassoonist Lawrence J. Intravaia, of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, was designated chairman of the Library Committee, and was responsible for determining what the holdings would include. He saw the library primarily as a reference center, which would include: "(1) a collection of music for double reed instruments, (2) a comprehensive bibliography of music and literature for double reeds, and (3) a discography of recordings and tapes of existing music for double reed instruments" (I.D.R.S Journal, Vol. 1, No. 1, "The Future of the 1. D. R. S. Library"). The eventual goal of the library would be to produce a catalog of music, writings, and recordings of music for double reeds. Initially, I.D.R.S. members were requested to send in items of interest listed on 3x5 file cards. Also of interest to Intravaia and I.D.R.S. members were unpublished works, as well as the possible development of a graded listing of music for use by educators.
In late 1973, bassoonist Bruce Degen of Simpson College took over the library project. Shortly thereafter Lawrence Intravaia succumbed to cancer and the library was named in his honor. The library began and expanded under Degen's dedicated efforts, despite the fact that it had no budget. Members contributed whatever they deemed significant: scores, recordings, dissertations, articles, etc. Degen faithfully answered all correspondence with encouragement and information: musicians looking for specific works or pieces with unusual instrumentation, or students requesting information for their term papers and pieces for their recitals. By late 1980, when the I.D.R.S. library was "evicted" from its home in the Simpson library, it amounted to fifty boxes of materials! Degen was unable to find another space in which to house the library, and since the necessity of creating a new home for it would require a new librarian as well, he submitted his resignation.
The space problem resulted in the library's move to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where it is currently under the supervision of James C. Prodan, associate professor of oboe. In mid-1983 the library began a campaign to solicit contributions from publishers worldwide, which almost doubled its holdings. Theodore Presser, McGinnis & Marx, Carl Fischer, Allans Music, C. F. Peters, Frederick Harris Music, Shawnee Press, A. B. Carl Gehrmans, Kendor Music, Alphonse Leduc, Faber Music and the Music Information Centre of the Czech Music Fund have all given generously. Another long term project has been the conversion from a card catalog to listing the Library's holdings on discs for microcomputer.
After a dozen years of existence, the International Double Reed Society Library has accumulated a considerable collection of all types of materials related to double reed instruments. The collection currently includes more than 600 scores, and over 400 recorded works, as well as 100 books, articles and periodicals. Most of the collection was acquired from members or publisher donations, although a small number of holdings were purchased with available funds.
The I.D.R.S. library differs considerably from a traditional library. Since its users are located worldwide, it is impossible for them to use the collection first hand, and current legislation makes it illegal to photocopy many of the library's materials. The library does, however, supply copies of unpublished original compositions for a small fee to I.D.R.S. members. It also serves as the repository for back issues of I.D.R.S. publications which are for sale. The foremost purpose of the library is to inform I.D.R.S members of what publications are available in their area of interest. With the assistance of the computer, the library is now able to provide a complete listing of its holdings for $8.00 to cover printing and postage expenses. It is hoped that this printed catalog, originally envisioned by Intravaia, will be useful to I.D.R.S. members for expanding their knowledge of repertoire and printed literature.
The I.D.R.S. library collection is probably one of the most unique conglomerations of double reed materials ever assembled. The range and variety of the library's holdings is remarkable. The score collection houses very few examples of standard oboe or bassoon repertoire, but consists predominantly of twentieth century compositions. Composition contests sponsored by the International Double Reed Society have yielded both solo and ensemble literature for performance. Since many composers have given the library permission to distribute their works, a great deal of interesting music is available to I.D.R.S. members for only a small photocopying fee. Oboists or bassoonists who are searching for works composed for unusual combinations of instruments or simply for something different to perform, may find exactly what they need in the library's catalog.
Most of the score collection consists of solo literature and chamber music, although there are a few works for orchestra or band which feature double reeds, as well as original manuscripts of early military marches for winds on microfilm from the British Museum. Much of the collection consists of arrangements for double reeds, from Bach to The Little Brown Church in the Vale. There is a large selection of student level works and numerous etude and method books suitable for pedagogical purposes. Of additional interest is double reed literature by Czechoslovakian composers, as well as several volumes of bassoon music by contemporary Russian composers donated by Valerie Popov, professor of bassoon at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music in Moscow. And at last count, there were eleven different copies of the Mozart bassoon concerto, several of which are photocopies of historic nineteenth century editions contributed by Karl Ohlberger.
What the I.D.R.S. library music collection lacks at present, is compositions for the "sibling" double reed instruments. The amount of literature for English horn is quite small, for oboe d'amore limited to one lonely piece, and for contrabassoon, nonexistent. Although some of the ensemble pieces feature these instruments, the solo works are almost exclusively for oboe and bassoon.
The library's collection of recordings began with Lawrence Intravaia's personal collection of chamber music tapes. Subsequent additions to the recordings collection consisted of concerts from I.D.R.S. conferences: the 8th in Columbus, Ohio; the 10th in Lubbock, Texas; the I 1th in Baltimore, Maryland; and the 12th in Tallahassee, Florida. Also included were the lectures of John DeLancie, John Mack and Ray Still given at the Oboe Symposium in Miami in 1974. The rest of the collection consists of tapes of original compositions submitted by entrants in I.D.R.S. composition contests and a limited number of commercially made recordings. The library also contains several unique tapes of oboist Mitch Miller recorded in the 1940s and 50s, donated by Mr. Miller himself, an individual better known for his popular music renderings. Copies of some of the library's tapes are available for a fee. If interested, please write for information on the availability of specific recordings, subject to possible copyright restrictions.
The smallest component of the International Double Reed Society library consists of books and articles. The library houses standard works on oboe and bassoon, works on reedmaking, as well as several theses and articles on a variety of topics. Other holdings include copies of woodwind periodicals and various papers specifically related to the society itself, such as conference concert programs. Lastly, the collection consists of bibliographies and discographies, both published and unpublished.
Despite its tremendous growth over the years, the I.D.R.S. library is still far from the reference center that Lawrence Intravaia originally envisioned. The library's collection and subsequently its ability to be of use to the members of the International Double Reed Society is dependent on their contributions and support. All musicians have small treasures in their personal collections. Some have original compositions or particularly interesting arrangements tucked away in their files. Why not donate a copy (or a good photocopy, if necessary) to the library, along with your written permission to circulate it? Perhaps you have compiled an extensive bibliography or discography which others might find useful. Any input would certainly be appreciated. Remember though, all library work is the result of voluntary efforts, fit around a hectic academic and performing schedule. Responses to inquiries, though not immediate, will be forthcoming. With the support of I.D.R.S. members, the library will continue both to expand its holdings and to serve the needs of the International Double Reed Society members.
About the writer...
Marian Wilson is an oboist, composer and librarian who assists with the I.D.R.S. library. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in music theory and will soon complete a Master of Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her compositions have been performed at the Eastern Music Festival and the Tidewater Music Festival. She is a membcr of' Pi Kappa Lambda, the American Library Association, the Music Library Association, and of course, the I.D.R.S.