The President's Corner
WASBE – The Band Umbrella for the World
You can find it in our memberships brochures. “WASBE…is the only organization completely dedicated to enhancing the quality of the wind band throughout the world and exposing its members to new worlds of repertoire, musical culture, people and places.” It is found in our Statement of Understanding, “…to enhance the improvement of bands and wind ensembles throughout the world.” It is even the first word in WASBE – world. We are the umbrella organization for the world's wind bands, and it gives me a great sense of pride to report to you on some of the many ways that we are being successful in fulfilling that charge.
In our membership brochures you will note that the statement of purpose concludes with, “…and exposing its members to new worlds of repertoire, musical culture, people and places.” This is never more evident than in our conference coming up in Singapore.
Repertoire – beginning each day will be 90 minute sessions devoted to new and recommended wind band repertoire from most every continent in the world. Our literature defines who we are, and it is vital that WASBE search out the best for wind bands wherever that search might take us. These repertoire sessions have become quite important to our conferences because delegates can hear live performances of so many works that they normally would never be aware of. Many works now found on programs throughout the world found the light of day in these sessions.
Musical Culture – the very theme of the Singapore conference addresses this issue: “A Confluence of the Arts – East meets West.” The Artistic Planning Committee has worked tirelessly to meld cultures within each day of the conference. We have bands performing from ten different countries; guest artists, composers and clinicians from throughout the world, plus a focus on the wind band scene in Southeast Asia (and the Pacific Rim), which most of us are extremely eager to learn about. Singapore is a melting pot of cultures in itself, so there is little worry that participants will not be immersed in musical and national culture.
People – which of course is our greatest resource. Now numbering over 1000 members, WASBE is represented in 55 countries, and this conference is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to meet our worldly wind band enthusiasts at concerts, clinics, meals, receptions, tours, watering holes, and in our hotels. When I went to my first WASBE conference in Boston (1987), I made it my goal to meet at least five new people each day from different parts of the world. I am very proud to say that most of those people remain my close friends to this day. It was through the people of WASBE that I began to truly appreciate our organization and to rededicate my life to its goals and purpose.
WASBE is now reaching out to people and cultures never thought possible before. Our partnership with Yamaha in South America and our affiliate relationships with Canada, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa are now paying great dividends. We have stepped up our efforts to reach these people thanks to the dedicated leadership of WASBE members in all of these regions. We have undertaken the task of translating our publications and sections of our web page to Spanish. New technology combined with the ever necessary volunteer efforts of many has made this possible. Other translations are now being discussed, and I am very confident that in the near future the barriers of language will no longer prevent us from reaching our members in any country.
We have recently joined with the famed Jeuness Musicales in an effort to establish a dynamic “World of Winds” orchestra. This ensemble is now scheduled for formation in the summer of 2006 and will tour throughout Europe. If people are our strength, then it is through youth that we lay our future. Through W.O.W. and the WASBE International Youth Wind Orchestra that will appear this summer in Singapore, we hope to encourage our international young wind band performers to build upon the foundation that we have laid. We have furrowed the ground, and we are sowing the seed, but we all must contribute our time and talents to make sure this crop prospers.
In the March Newsletter, I outlined the discussions now taking place regarding our International Conferences. While we are committed to Ireland for 2007, we are beginning to look at additional ways in which we can better serve our members. If the cost of hosting, promoting and attending our biannual conventions continues to rise, we may need to consider other alternatives. It was encouraging to see so many bids presented in Chicago for 2009, however the format as it is now, may not be the best venue to complete our commitment and mission. We might decide to continue with this format. However, it is the discussion that presents the most promise. The committee presently discussing this issue is made up of Felix Hauswirth, Glenn Price, Bert Aalders and Ralph Hultgren. Please contact them with your thoughts and suggestions.
Finally, I am very proud to report that this organization is becoming truly international and not just in membership. We are applying our statements of purpose and understanding throughout the world. We are finally accepting the mantel that was handed to us by the founders in 1981, and it is definitely an exciting time to be a WASBE member. Get involved, and I'll see you in beautiful Singapore.