The third Annual Meeting of the IDRS was held at the University of Miami, Florida, on June 17-18, 1974. Attendance by our membership was small, only 32 out of 700-plus members internationally. A few in attendance were disappointed at the showing, and it was suggested that because IDRS failed to invite guest panelists and lecturers, we might be heading in the wrong direction for the future health of IDRS .
But I believe this is just the wrong point for this particular year. It was announced at the Augustana meeting last August, 1973, that there were two sound reasons for not inviting lecturers this year: 1) because of the high cost of printing and mailing of our publications and reimbursing the editors for their work, the present treasury balance could not permit the expense of paying even the traveling expenses of artist lecturers, and 2) we determined at Augustana to pursue the possibility of affiliating our 1974 meeting in time and location with the International Oboe Symposium given under the direction of Mr. Julien Balogh in Miami. We also tried to arrange for the start of a parallel International Bassoon Symposium to be held at the same time and open to our IDRS members. It was not possible in 1974 to begin the Bassoon Symposium, but after our visit to Miami this June, Mr. Balogh assures me that he will begin the Bassoon Symposium next year. I think that by taking part in this summer's Oboe Symposium and by encouraging the University of Miami to also include a Bassoon Symposium in their future planning, the IDRS has performed its most vital and important service to date.
I was only able to attend the first two and one-half days of the five day Oboe Symposium, but I was privileged to witness 1) the unquestionably most superior discussions and demonstrations on and about the oboe I have ever heard given by John Mack of Cleveland, John DeLancie of Philadelphia and Ray Still of Chicago; and 2) the enthusiastic interplay of thought and spirit displayed by the large group of oboe students and teachers participating in the symposium. It was sheer joy for any musician to take part in this important communication of knowledge about the art of music and of the oboe. Where else in the world can such a superior forum for double reed learning be found? The remaining speakers of the week were Robert Bloom of New Haven, Daniel Stolper of East Lansing and Julien Balogh of Miami. I regret not having had the time to remain for the entire week. An extra and unanticipated benefit to all present was felt by the attendance of Robert Sprenkle, the noted oboist and teacher from Rochester, New York, and Robert Mayer, formerly a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
If Mr. Balogh is successful in bringing to Miami an equally exceptional group of bassoonists in 1975 and the years following, it will be without doubt one of the major undertakings in the world promoting the advancement of double reed instruments. The IDRS has promised to assist Mr. Balogh in every way we can to make this a reality.
The IDRS Annual Meeting itself was very interesting for the small group attending. In addition to two business meetings in the evenings, IDRS members had the mornings and afternoons free to attend the Oboe Symposium or to visit the display of double reed instruments and music on exhibit. A group of separately-held seminar discussions followed the first business meeting: Oboe Reeds - Dr. Nancy Fowler, Florida State University; Oboe Care and Maintenance - Earl Clemens, DeKalb, Illinois, Bassoon Performance - Charles Robert Reinert, Potsdam, New York; Bassoon Care and Maintenance - Lewis Hugh Cooper, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Bassoon Reeds - Cornelia Biggers, Tampa, Florida. There was a short rehearsal of double reed ensemble music which was kindly donated by Don Christlieb and Noah Knepper, but no performance was presented because the music was of insufficient length to be really satisfying. We hope that there will be a much larger group of IDRS members attending the 1975 Annual Meeting and that fine examples of double reed ensemble music will receive a hearing.
A nominating committee of three was appointed by the President: Frances Estes of Fort Worth, Texas; Alan Fox, of South Whitley, Indiana; and R. Charles Reinert of Potsdam New York. There were no nominations from the floor and the nominating committee presented a slate of one candidate for each office for 1975: Earl Clemens for President, Christopher Weait for Vice President, Edwin Lacy for Recording Secretary, Lowry Riggins for Corresponding Secretary, and Noah Knepper for Treasurer. This slate was accepted by unanimous vote of the members present and so will form the Executive Committee of IDRS for 1975, beginning January first. The new officers are Chris Weait, who is co-principal bassoonist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Edwin Lacy, Acting Chairman of the Music Department and Assistant Professor of Oboe and Bassoon at the University of Evansville, Indiana. IDRS warmly welcomes their leadership assistance in the coming year. Daniel Stolper will continue as Editor of Publications for the 1975 year also.