With this third issue of Vol. VII of my newsletter comes the completion of an idea, a specialized newsletter for only bassoonists of the world, and with it the opportunity of a better and expanded phase, THE DOUBLE REED, which will be the title of 1978's IDRS combined bassoon and oboe newsletters.
Ending with this issue will be the almost single-handed approach to this publication. A staff of columnists, correspondents from different parts of the world, an artist and other regular contributors should make this editor's job (and Daniel Stolper's for the oboe section) much more editorial and quite a bit less time consuming. But in no way do I plan to lessen my enthusiastic participation in all matters regarding the bassoon, all other double reed instruments and the Society.
Starting with the first issue of THE DOUBLE REED, a more regular timing of mailings will be possible; the format of the larger newsletter will be the same as that of the IDRS Journal, although the newsy characteristics and briefer articles of the present newsletter style will be maintained. We will have space at the end of the new combined newsletter to include advertisements for double reed products. In addition to the ads of the type regularly seen in the IDRS Journals there will be provision for classified ads from members and any other interested individuals. These may be for services (reed making, tools, music, etc.), and they can also announce instruments for sale, positions open and the like (these should be lesser in number, we feel, because of the infrequency of publication (3 times yearly), but they will be welcome nevertheless.) A schedule of advertising rates is being planned at this writing, and Richard Lottridge will send a flyer to all IDRS members and others working in our field outlining the advertising rates well before the deadline of our first issue.
Gone will be the need for separate mailing lists for IDRS members receiving either: (1) oboe or (2) bassoon or (3) oboe and bassoon newsletters. All members will receive all the news about our family of double reed instruments; and I think this will expand many members' knowledge about the "other" instruments. We will reduce the number of IDRS publications mailings per year from 7 to 4. And even though the cost of a combined newsletter will be more than the printing and mailing costs of a single newsletter, we hope to come out ahead financially both from the saving in postage costs and in the extra income derived from advertising. If you have a needed double reed product to offer, we can help you by advertising it to our world-wide readership; and you will be helping the IDRS keep its treasury healthy at the same time.
If any members are concerned that by the addition of small advertisements we may be heading towards a lowering of the standard of the newsletter content, or that we may be influenced to favor or recommend certain products because of their advertising support, I can assure them from my part and also from discussions with Dan Stolper and the IDRS Executive Committee that, "all will remain well with the continuous flow of communications for and about THE DOUBLE REEDS."
I look forward with pleasure to working with a team of enthusiastic supporters from IDRS--directly with the help of our volunteer and appointed staff, and indirectly from all IDRS members by the continued (and hopefully stepped-up) flow of letters, ideas, articles, suggestions, recommendations and just plain "news," which has always made my editorial job a sheer pleasure and joy.
We hope you will find the new combined oboe/bassoon newsletter THE DOUBLE REED (no pun really intended) a means of heightening your interest and appreciation of the world of double wed musicians, through the International Double Reed Society. Thanks to all of you for your continued support through membership and many letters of commendation. Happy 1978 and beautiful reeds to you all.