We join the family, friends, and colleagues of IDRS member Mark Weiger in mourning his untimely death. In his life, as well as in performance, he was able to mix virtuosic sensitivity, imagination and humor in a way that touched everyone with whom he came in contact. He will be profoundly missed.
Professor of Oboe at the University of Iowa since 1988, Mark was an enormously successful, generous and committed teacher. His former students occupy professional performing and teaching positions throughout the country. His broad spectrum of creative activities include that of orchestral performer, soloist, guest artist and clinician, recording artist (with 8 solo CDs to his credit), author, pedagogue and chamber musician. Widely known for his virtuosic and entertaining performances with “WiZARDS! A Double Reed Consort,” which he founded in 1993, Mark performed at numerous IDRS conferences, commissioned new works, edited and arranged music for double reed ensemble and released three critically acclaimed chamber music CDs. His far-reaching influence in all of these many endeavors, and the joy and enthusiasm he brought to our profession is irreplaceable.
Condolences to Mark's family may be sent to the Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Box 167, Iowa City, IA 52244 or at www.lensingfuneral.com.
Announcement for Gillet competition entrants concerning CD’s for the Preliminary Round: In movement V of Dorat’s "Cinq Pieces," the composer calls for the word "voilá" to be spoken at the end of the movement. In order to preserve entrants' anonymity on the CD required for the preliminary round, the word "voilá" may be omitted, spoken by the performer or by someone other than the performer (perhaps one's French teacher!) The judges of the preliminary round will be notified of this special circumstance. Contestants may record the Vivaldi Sonata with either piano or harpsichord accompaniment.
Applications to participate in the IDRS 2009 masterclass series are now open! To be eligible to participate, you must be a student with a recognized higher education institution (university, college, conservatoire etc...). You can apply via an e-form at www.idrs2009.org. Go to the participate-exhibit section, then click on "Participate in a masterclass.
Artists presenting masterclasses at IDRS 2009 are:
OboeThe International Double Reed Society is pleased to announce the second annual performance competition for young artists to occure July 21-25, 2009 – Birmingham, England. First prize for the 2009 competition is a $2000 US cash award. The second prize is a $1000 US cash award. The third prize is a $500 US cash award.
The Juilliard School recently announced the creation of a new Historical Performance program, which begins in the fall of 2009. Juilliard will enroll 12 to 14 instrumentalists into each class of the two-year graduate-level Historical Performance program, for a total of 24 to 28 instrumentalists on Baroque violin, Baroque viola, Baroque cello, Baroque double bass/violone, Baroque flute, Baroque oboe, Baroque bassoon, and Harpsichord. Students accepted into the new program will receive full-tuition scholarships.
Juilliard also announced a distinguished list of new appointments to the School's Historical Performance program faculty, specially chosen for their global reputations and their expertise in this specialized field. The woodwind faculty includes Gonzalo Ruiz (oboe), Dominic Teresi (bassoon) and Sandra Miller (flute). Applications for fall 2009 entrance to Juilliard's Historical Performance program are due by December 1, 2008. Juilliard's web site carries complete information at www.juilliard.edu/historicalperformance.
The 2009 IDRS conference is seeking proposals from IDRS members that address the topic of nationalism in double reed pedagogy, performance, and composition. For IDRS members in the US, the Birmingham host would like to see proposals that are "uniquely American." The host is interested in performances of works by American composers, presentations of pedagogical topics that address approaches that are distinctively American, and any other ideas that fit the category of nationalistic trends in double reed performance and pedagogy. Proposals may be submitted online at http://www.idrs2009.org/participate-exhibit.
On the topic of "nationalism in double reed pedagogy," I recall a panel discussion on vibrato at the IDRS conference in North Carolina. The panel consisted of bassoonists and oboists from the US, Europe, and Japan. The discussion began with an explanation by panelists of how vibrato is taught and used in various countries. That was followed by a lively open discussion by panelists and audience members. I participated in the panel as an interpreter for my colleague from Japan, Kiyoshi Koyama. I was intrigued by the lively and informative event! - Yoshi Ishikawa
It possible to register and book accommodation through the website at idrs2009.org and, over the coming weeks, the ability to add tourist options if you are intending to extend your stay in the UK. The IDRS conference is an anual five-day event that includes concerts, recitals, master classes and workshops presented by leading double reed artists and pedagogues from around the globe. The 2009 conference will be held July 21-25,2009 at the Birmingham Conservatoire, England.
Preliminary Stage: All contestants will prepare a CD containing the following repertoire: Vivaldi: Sonata RV 28 in g minor, movements I-IV, all repeats, (Breitkopf and Hartel); Nikos Skalkottas: Concertino for Oboe and Piano (Margun), movements I-III; Antal Dorati: Cinq Pieces pour le hautbois, movements 1, 2 & 5 (Boosey and Hawkes.)
Final Stage: Up to five finalists will be selected by the competition committee to compete at the IDRS Conference in 2009. Repertoire for the final round will be the same as that for the Preliminary Stage with the addition of the Oboe Concerto by Vaughan Williams, movements I-III. The winner of the competition will perform the entire Vaughan Williams Concerto on a concert during the 2009 IDRS Conference.
Nancy Ambrose King
In order to recognize the tremendous accomplishments of William Waterhouse (1931-2007) and Philip Bate (1909-1999) and to encourage double reed scholarship the International Double Reed Society Executive Committee is announcing the forthcoming publication of a Festschrift (celebratory publication) in honor of Waterhouse and Bate. Though aspects of the publication are technically a Gedenkschrift (memorial publication), the Society has decided that this publication not only serves as a memorial to two remarkable men, but also a celebration of their achievements and those of authors contributing to the project. Hence it will retain the title Festschrift.
IDRS 2007 conference recordings can now be ordered by downloading a form found on the IDRS 2007 web site.
The Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions is seeking a full-time Clinical Assistant Professor to serve on the Instrumental performance faculty of a large, multifaceted, performing arts department, beginning September 1, 2009. Please send a letter of intent to apply, a curriculum vitae and CDs along with three letters of recommendation sent directly from the sources to: Dr. Esther Lamneck, Chair, Woodwind Faculty Search Committee, Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions, 35 West Fourth Street, Suite 777, New York, NY 10012. Review of applications will begin December 1, 2008, and will remain open until position is filled.
Teach applied bassoon along with bassoon studio class, music appreciation and/or basic music theory and cooperate in teaching woodwind methods; coach woodwind chamber music; maintain an active and visible performance profile, possibly with a resident faculty ensemble; participate in recruitment; maintain a successful studio to meet the Department’s needs; advise students; provide service to the University; other duties as assigned. Submit dossier, including letter of interest, three letters of reference and CD of recent performances to Professor Andrea Ridilla, Chair Search Committee, Department of Music, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056. Contact phone number is 513-529-3091. Screening of applications begins December 1, 2008 and will continue until position is filled.
Bassoonists who have not reached their 22nd birthday by the date of the Final round of the competition (July 23, 2009) are eligible to enter. First prize for the 2009 competition is a $2000 US cash award. Second prize is a $1000 US cash award. Honorable mention is a $500 US cash award. Application materials will be posted online shortly. Please address any questions to Eric Stomberg, chair, Young Artist Bassoon Competition (Stomberg@ku.edu). To be considered, all application materials must be received on or before April 1, 2009.
2010 Competition and Symposium: January 15-17, 2010 at Oberlin, Ohio USA. Eligibility: Women bassoon players who are citizens of the Americas (North America, Central America, South America), or who are enrolled in school in the Americas during the year prior to the competition and who have not reached their 24th birthday by the competition in January of 2010. First Prize: US $9,000.00, Second Prize: US $5,500.00, Third Prize: US $2,500.00, Seven Honorable Mentions: US $500.00. Deadline: Application and recording must be received by October 16, 2009. More information.
The competition will take place from October 10 to October 18, 2009 in Karuizawa, Japan. Applications must be submitted during April 1-24, 2009. More information included repertoire and jury members can be found here: http://oboeck.jp/
The competition is open to all bassoonists of any nationality without age limit. The first round will be held on March 14th, 2009 and the finals will be on March 15th, 2009 at 5 pm. The final round is open to the public. Competition registration fee is 50 euros. First Prize: €1500, Second Prize: €1000. Application deadline is March 1st, 2009. More information.
Now open to IDRS members and nonmembers!
IDRS members may use the IDRS logo in their web sites (personal or business), and email and bulletin board signatures. Download the logo.
The IDRS WWW project is supported in part by an award from The National Endowment for the Arts.
Search IDRS
Online AccessIt's time to renew your membership for 2009! Dues notices will be mailed this month. Save us the postage and renew online now.
Please join us at this year's IDRS conference, a five-day event that includes concerts, recitals, master classes and workshops presented by leading double reed artists and pedagogues from around the globe. The 2009 conference will be held July 21-25,2009 at the Birmingham Conservatoire, England.
Recordings are now available from the 2007 Conference in Ithica
UT Video Online
Videos from the 34th IDRS Conference at The Univererersity of Texas at Austin are now online.
Copyright © Yoshiyuki Ishikawa and the International Double Reed Society 1995-2008
Yoshiyuki Ishikawa, Editor IDRS OnLine Publications
Terry B. Ewell, Associate Editor
Saxton Rose, Assistant Editor
Published by the International Double Reed Society and Yoshiyuki Ishikawa in cooperation with the University of Colorado, College of Music.
