The fifth Annual Meeting of the IDRS was held at the University of Toronto, Canada, on August 16, 17, and 18, 1976. We had a registered attendance of 167 members out of our 1000 plus international membership. Note that we continue to grow both in our membership and in our attendance at the Annual Meetings. In addition to IDRS members in attendance, the evening performances were open to the public for a small fee, and thus, the audience was quite large for these performances.
The quality of the program--both lecture and performance--continues to grow in excellence. If you have not attended one or more of our more recent meetings, you are certainly missing out on one of the major benefits of being an IDRS member. I can only urge you to come to Evansville, Indiana, August 15-17, 1977, and find out for yourself what you have been missing.
The success of our program at Toronto was due in the main to the supreme efforts of Chris Weait, our Host and Program Chairman. Last year, when Chris began to outline his program, I knew we were in for a treat. I am sure everyone in attendance felt that it was very worthwhile. Thanks, Chris-- the audience voiced it best when they gave you a standing ovation. You deserved it.
Of immediate interest to the membership--the nominating committee not only came up with a slate of officer candidates, but a motion also for alignment of offices in accord with my temporary assignments this past eight months. The officers unanimously elected by the assembly are as follows: President, Earl L. Clemens; 1st Vice-President, James L. Burton; 2nd Vice-President, Richard Lottridge; Secretary, Edwin Lacy; and Treasurer, Lowry Riggins. Since a number of those above were re-elected, I am sure that I express the sentiments of all when I say, "Thank you for this expression of confidence in the work we have been doing." The nominating committee suggested that in future years a nominating committee should be appointed several months in advance of the Annual Meetings, so that qualified individuals for office might be contacted ahead of time. This has not been done in the past, simply because we felt that those willing to take an active part in the direction of the Society would be in attendance at the meetings. I am, of course, willing to give this idea a try, and will appoint a nominating committee before our next Meeting. If any of you wish to suggest names, either for the nominating committee, or for a particular office, please feel free to write me at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115.
Our meeting for 1978 will be held on the West Coast of the United States. We have several rather firm offers from that area, but have not made a final commitment as yet. You might also wish to plan ahead for 1979. We are seriously looking into a European Convention site, most probably London, England. The possibility of this came up at the first general meeting in Toronto, and was further solidified in the final meeting when Alan Fox of Fox Products Corporation informed the membership that if we wished to make plans for London, Fox Products would guarantee the charter flight. Our thanks to Alan for this offer.
At the final general meeting, the name of Karl Ohlberger was placed in nomination, seconded and unanimously approved as our third Honorary Life Member. Consequently, on August 23, 1976, the following telegram was sent to Karl Ohlberger in Vienna, Austria: "Very happy to announce your election to Honorary Membership, International Double Reed Society, August 18, 1976. You have given us more than we can ever repay. Warmest greetings from the Society to you and yours. Earl L. Clemens, President IDRS." I have received a letter from Karl. To quote in part--"I am only too aware of the honor you have conferred upon me and hope I am worthy of it. The fact that this membership was given me by colleagues makes me appreciate it that much more. . . My heart felt thanks and warmest regards to you and the gentlemen of the Committee."
While reporting on letters received, the following is from our dear friend Maurice Allard upon his return to France, and is literally translated:
To the members of the Committee, and Members: Dear Friends--you were kind enough to invite me to participate at your 5th Meeting organized this year in Toronto. THANK YOU. I am happy upon my return to France to express to you my feelings of friendship, gratitude and admiration. Friendship, because I felt in your World and in your reception real warmth. Gratitude because you allowed me to express myself and to play before you. Admiration because your magnificent Society which comprises only remarkable artists has a perfect sense of organization and hospitality. I express my wishes for the prosperity of IDRS, for the continuity of our contacts, and assuring you of my entire consideration, I address to you my most cordial and sincere greetings. Allard.
We will always cherish such letters.
As to the program itself, those of you not in attendance missed a great deal. The inspirations of a lifetime come from meetings such as this, and everyone left Thursday morning knowing that he could not have experienced a finer three days. The most glowing praise was heaped on our performers by the Toronto newspapers. In particular mention were those on the evening programs open to the public--Monday's program at 5:30 pm. by the bassoon section of the Toronto Symphony: M . Bruce Bower, Mitchell Clarke, Nicholas Kilburn, and Christopher Weait; the 8:00 pm. program by Joseph Marx and Susan Barrett, assisted by Christopher Weait; Tuesday's program at 5:30 pm. with Gwellym Williams, Howard Alexander, Eugene Laszkiewicz, Melvin Berman, Stanley McCartney and Gerald Corey; the 8:30 pm. program with Maurice Allard, accompanied by Monica Gaylord (note: Miss Gaylord filled in at the last minute for Claire Naud-Cameron who was ill). I must mention that Monica was sensational throughout the three days of the convention--she has to be one of the finest pianists we have had the pleasure to hear. Wednesday's 4:30 program with Harvey Saltzman and Stewart Grant, Christopher Weait, Melvin Berman, Monica Gaylord, and M. Bruce Bower; and the final evening concert at 8:00 p.m. with Lady Evelyn Barbirolli, Nancy Antonacci, and Margaret (Padge) Barstow (wife of Chris Weait). Mere words can't express our feelings for these incomparable performers.
Others appearing on the programs during the daytime meetings but not reviewed in the papers included: Robert Cunningham, with a presentation of the experimental oboes of Eben H. Carruthers; John Patterson and Earnest Harrison and the Louisiana State University Reed Cane Project; Donald M. Hardesty and his Utilization of Rounds in Teaching Bassoon; Bary Ray and his Repair of Double Reed Instruments; Harold Robison co-ordinating selected music for mixed double reed ensembles; Timothy J. McGee and the Medieval and Renaissance Double Reed Instruments; the round table discussion on the subject of Oboe Tone, with Lady Evelyn Barbirolli, Joseph Marx, and Melvin Berman; Virginia Hourigan and her demonstration of Woodwind Doubling; the concert of bassoon music presented by Peter Lutek, Judith Lutek Stephen Mosher, Paul Buttmemr, George Mills, and Monica Gaylord. Our special Thanks to all of you for a job well done.
Special mention must be made for the IDRS Composition Contest. The winner in the bassoon category was "Sketches for Unaccompanied Bassoon" by William Prunty. The composition was very ably performed by Christopher Millard. In the oboe category, Honorable Mention was given to two compositions: "Winter; A Time for Introspection" by Ralph Jackson, performed by Richard Rath accompanied by Monica Gaylord, and "Aleph I for Unaccompanied Oboe" by Tom Cox, performed by John Corina. Our Thanks to Richard Rath and his Contest Committee for this Presentation. The IDRS will again sponsor a composition contest for the coming year. Richard and the Committee will announce further details soon.
Such was the Fifth Annual Meeting at Toronto. Plans are already well under way for the Sixth Meeting at Evansville. We hope to see you then.