It is with great and increasing pleasure that I observe the 1974 work, growth and progress of the International Double Reed Society as its presiding officer. My own work is being made effort-free due to the dedication and cooperative interaction of ideas, proposals and tasks by the Executive Officers and others. So my first thought at the time of producing this 2nd Journal of the IDRS is that of expressing my very sincere thanks to these hard-working members who are the real strength and motivation of IDRS, especially between the Annual Meetings: Earl Clemens (Vice President), Jean Cantwell (Recording Secretary), Lowry Riggins (Corresponding Secretary and program coordinator for the 1974 Annual Meeting), Noah Knepper (IDRS Treasurer) and Daniel Stolper (Editor of Publications)--members of the Executive Committee; Dr. Bruce Degan (IDRS Librarian), Richard Rath (business liaison) and James L. Burton (our advertising agent).
I hope we can persuade a majority of this fine team to continue work for another year (1975), because I know that the continuity of their efforts will serve to further strengthen our young and improving Society. As I mentioned at the time of accepting the nomination for the IDRS Presidency last summer, I will hold this office for only this one year. I am convinced, after observing IDRS for one and one-half years of operation, that the presiding officer should be employed in a university situation (most probably) rather than in a full-time performance position. This will allow the next IDRS President more flexibility in time in order to initiate an even broader range of programs for the Society. However, I will not lessen my own efforts and support of IDRS after this year; I still plan to participate fully in our work as Editor of Publications.
My primary goal as a one-time President of the Society is to establish a smooth-running organization for the continuation of the IDRS and to help initiate a few projects which will help us achieve some of the long-range goals of the Society (see the Official Constitution, Article III). Progress reports will appear regularly in the newsletters and any interim reports to the membership, and I expect to hold some meaningful discussions on the work of IDRS at the Annual Meeting in Coral Gables, Florida.
I would like to add one important thought for IDRS members relating to a more active Society. For the IDRS to fully function as it was originally intended, we need a much larger amount of "intercommunication" between the now widely-based membership of the Society. This is much preferable, we all feel, to a "passive" organization wherein the officers initiate activities (if any) and the members receive publications and occasionally attend meetings.
Here are four definite ways by which individual IDRS members can help vitalize the Society in today's fast-moving music world:
1. Letters to the Editors (treating all subjects). (Daniel Stolper's and my addresses are given on page 1 of this Journal and in the newsletters).
2. Submission of material for publication in the newsletters and Journal. We welcome articles on double reed subjects, mutual problems, interesting performers, etc. Please type articles with double spacing for ease of editing; photographs should be glossy black and white (5" x 7" to 8" x 10" preferred). Also send us information on books, articles, recordings and performances featuring double reeds.
3. Correspondence with the IDRS Library. You may either donate materials or items of double reed information to the growing accession of our library, or you can inquire from the library information about double reeds. We will soon have materials available to the membership, details to be announced by Bruce Degan, IDRS Librarian. The actual use of this library should be one of the most helpful aspects of our Society.
4. Stimulate an increased interest in double reed activities in your locale. (We are already in touch with a regional double reed "club" in Australia); consider forming performances by ensembles including oboes, English horns, bassoons and contra-bassoons. Discuss mutual interests and problems and assist young double reed students whenever you can.
--Gerald E. Corey