NEWS OF NOTE:
ABCDF, The French Bass and Double Bass Society, will hold the second-ever International Bass Symposium at the National Superior Conservatory of Paris (www.CNSMDP.fr), October 31 through November 3, 2008. The symposium will include competitions for solo, orchestra, jazz and contemporary music, plus four divisions for young bassists; concerts in all styles from classical to jazz featuring internationally known guest artists playing double bass and electric bass; an exhibition hall; and much more. Go to www.bass2008.com or www.contrebasse.com.
The American Composers Forum seeks to encourage U.S. performers (both individuals and ensembles) to add newly created works by living composers to their repertoires through its Encore incentive grants. The program also aims to assist composers in securing premiere and post-premiere performances that are vital to building a career. The program makes grants ranging from $500 to $2,500 to performers and ensembles to present a work at least three times during an eighteen-month period. Awards support rehearsal and performance costs so that performers may connect with a composer whose work they have not previously performed. Joint applications may be initiated by composers or performers. Composers and performers must be based in different geographic areas of the Unites States (e.g., an ensemble in Arizona could apply with a Oregon composer or a Florida soloist might work with a composer from Texas). Selected works may be premiered or unperformed, but must not have an extensive performance history. For more information, go to Encore Incentives grants.
The world premiere of Paquito D'Rivera's Concerto for Double Bass, Clarinet/Alto Saxophone and Orchestra (Conversations with Cachao) took place June 30th at the Caramoor "Sonidos Latinos III Festival," the Venetian Theater, Katonah, NY. Pacquito D'Rivera appeared with John Feeney, double bass, and Jeremy Denk, piano.
The 8th International Double Bass Convention, will be held September 10-16, 2007, in Brno, the Czech Republic, featuring classes in solo repertoire, jazz, chamber music, orchestral excerpts, and a performance by the festival double bass orchestra. The faculty will include Miloslav Jelinek, director, (Czech Republic); Ekkehard Beringer (Germany); Carlos Del Pino (Cuba); Gottfried Engels (Germany); Miloslav Gajdos (Czech Republic); Pavel Horak (Czech Republic); Tom Knific, (USA), Petr Korinek (Czech Republic); Irena Olkiewicz (Poland); Vitold Rek (Poland/Germany); Catalin Rotaru (USA/Rumania); Stefan Schafer (Germany); Radoslav Sasina (Slovakia); Martin Sranko (Czech Republic); Jiri Valenta (Czech Republic); Jakub Waldmann (Czech Republic); and Horst-Dieter Wenkel (Germany). For more information email jelinekmilos@volny.cz or konarkova@jamu.cz.
ON THE ROAD WITH YOUR BASS:
The ISB's emissary to the American Federation of Musicians on air travel issues, Kristin Korb, reports that Delta is now removed from the AFM's boycott list. They have increased their weight limit for oversize checked luggage to 100 pounds, and linear inches for oversize checked luggage to 120 inches. Let your voices be heard, bassists! If you are having travel troubles, let the AFM know by calling Steve Gelfand of the AFM, 212-869-1330 x1211, or 800-762-3444 x1211, or emailing sgelfand@afm.org. When the AFM applies pressure, airlines listen, but if the AFM isn't made aware of our issues, they can't help us.
ON SALE NOW (available at
www.isbworldoffice.com):
If you couldn't make it to Oklahoma City but would still like a t-shirt, go to www.ISBworldoffice.com and click on "Shop" to order one with the Route 66-inspired logo. We look forward to seeing you all June 8-13, 2009 at Penn State University, State College, PA, for the next ISB convention.
Lynn Seaton Live CDs (recorded at the 2003 ISB convention at the University of Richmond, VA) are available for $15 plus handling, with all proceeds going to the ISB (Thank you, Lynn!)
