The President's Corner
The Future of WASBE
In past “President’s Corner” articles, I have shared with you my thoughts on the status of our great organization and some immediate problems and goals. I have also defined what I thought a WASBE member might entail, and I have challenged you, the membership, to get involved and share some of your time and talent. I am pleased to report to you that in all these areas we have made great strides, and I feel quite comfortable in now addressing a larger issue — our future.
A year ago, there were some areas that the WASBE Council, Executive and I felt needed to be addressed immediately in order to “right the ship”. I can admit to feeling a bit cheated since most Presidents have taken over the WASBE reins abundant with thoughts of moving the organization forward, plowing new fields and working towards goals both new and yet achieved. However, I soon realized that whatever work was to be done, it was just as important as any philosophical directive I could have produced. A President must do whatever is necessary for the good of the organization and deal with what he has inherited. My task may have been somewhat different than my predecessors, but their contribution was no less significant, and I know for a fact that all had the interests of the organization at heart. With the help of many whose devotion to this organization is without question, we have put WASBE back on course, and I would like to take a moment to outline some areas and to explain where we have been, where we are today and what the future may (hopefully) bring.
Membership Growth
With few exceptions, every year of our existence has shown some growth. This is important for financial stability but also signals a vibrant organization that is meeting the needs of more and more throughout the world. Unlike some musical organizations whose base for growth is somewhat (by design) limited, ours is almost infinite. This represents our greatest hope and also our biggest challenge. Are there wind band enthusiasts that don't know about us? Are languages a barrier to growth in some areas of the world? Are we too expensive for some in our profession? Do many in the world not see a reason to join WASBE? Are we viewed as "elitist" to some and irrelevant to others? The honest answer to all these questions is unfortunately “yes!” Let me briefly discuss each of these issues.
There are people who don’t know about us but through our impressive and ever improving website, our publications, our outreach programs, our alliances being forged with other organizations and our conferences, we are beginning to make progress with this issue, and it is showing up in the number of countries now represented (56).
Yes, languages are also a barrier to growth but this is a very complex problem. We are presently encouraging sections to publish their own Newsletter, and the ones I have seen from Switzerland, Austria, France, Germany, Singapore and others are very impressive. Our publications committee is looking at ways to involve translations on our website, but to produce our publications in several languages is simply cost prohibitive. This is an area which needs constant effort and creative thought. Be assured that the council and I will continue to address this issue.
Indeed, we are too expensive for many in depressed economies, however progress is being made here as well. A new agreement between Yamaha and WASBE will make membership much more affordable for all South Americans in the future. Through new pilot and incentive programs in Austria and Eastern Europe, we hope to see significant section growth. We have also been able to design a break even budget, which should keep our membership dues stable for at least another two years. Leon Bly has done a remarkable job in obtaining sponsors for our publications, and it is a goal of mine to forge new relationships with the music industry and to get them more aligned with us in the future.
We should not get defensive if someone chooses not to join WASBE. Many in our profession are not cosmopolitan in thought and have no interest in what is happening in other parts of the world. We need to identify those that do and those that would enjoy contributing to what we believe and might benefit from our successes. This task, however, falls to all of us. Being a disciple for WASBE is easy. Mail someone a brochure; put our website at the bottom of your e-mails; contact a council member in your area and volunteer to help recruit, and/or write an article for the Newsletter detailing the wonderful activities in your area. Imagine if all of our members were to contribute in any one of these ways how we might flourish?
Conferences
…have always been a means to showcase our organization in some part of the world, and indeed they have promoted growth and recognition. From Skien, Norway through Jönköping, Sweden, we have persevered through global conflict, unsteady political atmospheres, and unstable financial footing to bring the wind band community together. We have endeavored in recent years to stabilize the organizing of these conferences and to design parameters whereby each can better manifest our Articles of Association and our Statement of Understanding. I am ecstatic over the work and planning done so far for the conference in Singapore by the host Organizing Committee and our Artistic Planning Committee. Performing ensembles, clinics, guest artists, commissions, premieres, reading (repertoire) sessions and other activities will be announced at a later date, and I believe you will be very impressed. However, conferences are very expensive for hosts and delegates alike. With Killarney, Ireland, we shall proceed on the same course through 2007, but we must begin exploring other options if the cost issue becomes too prohibitive. I am confident that some proposals will be on the table when I leave office next year.
Our Future
…is in our hands. What makes our organization special must — and needs to — become our greatest asset. We are a world organization, and before we can worry whether someone thinks us elitist or irrelevant, we have to accept our raison d’être. I often feel as though (individually) we have a vision that involves shaping WASBE into something with which we already feel comfortable. It seems “safe” to model WASBE into a configuration that is more recognizable to our corner of the world. That was the proper attitude for our framers in 1981, but it is time now that we revisit our Articles of Association and make the necessary amendments to be a real “world” organization. Our uniqueness must become our strength and from that will grow an organization that is a model unto itself. Our “corner” must be the world wind band community, and we must be atoneable to only those that need us. We must listen, revisit, plan and progress. There is an entire world waiting for us to show that we can lead, grow, prosper and succeed. Your participation in this is vital. Let the nay Sayers beware; this train “is a movin’ on”.