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The 8th International Double Bass Convention, one of the biggest double bass events in Europe, took place in Brno (Czech Republic), September 10-16, 2007. Over seven days there were eight concerts and solo, chamber, orchestral and jazz instruction. As part of the convention week there was also an international competition, an open air concert featuring a double bass orchestra, and an exhibition of musical instruments.

The convention was organized by artistic director Miloslav Jelinek, lecturer at the Janacek Academy of Music and Performing Arts and solo bassist with the Brno Philharmonic, and the JAMU faculty in co-operation with the Czech Double Bass Society. Many other presenters had a hand in the successful and smooth running of the convention: Ekkehard Beringer (Hamburg, Germany), Carlos Del Pino (Havana, Cuba), Gottfried Engels (Dusseldorf, Germany), Miloslav Gajdos (Kromeriz, Czech Republic), Pavel Horak (Brno, Czech Republic), Tom Knific (Michigan, USA), Petr Korinek (Prague, Czech Republic), Irena Olkiewicz (Wroclaw, Poland), Vitold Rek (Frankfurt, Germany / Poland), Catalin Rotaru (Phoenix, USA/Romania), Radoslav Sasina (Bratislava, Slovakia), Martin Sranko (Brno, Czech Republic), Jiri Valenta (Prague, Czech Republic), Jakub Waldmann (Prague, Czech Republic), and Horst-Dieter Wenkel (Weimar, Germany). Marcela Jelinkova (Brno, Czech Republic) and Dana Sasinova (Bratislava, Slovakia) served as pianists.

There were some 90 participants from 20 countries. Eighteen double bassists took part in the competition. First prize was awarded to Filip Jaro (Slovakia), second prize to Jae-Bo Cho (Korea) and third prize went to Ludwig Schwark (Germany). Convention performances over the last eight years have won a loyal audience, and double bassists of the Czech Republic are pleased that the tradition of the Czech double bass school - one of the oldest in the world - is blossoming.

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Bassists of all ages traveled from around the globe for the Third Arizona Bass Players Festival on March 6-9, 2008. This year, the Festival was held at both the University of Arizona in Tucson and Arizona State University in Tempe. The clinicians were Patrick Neher, president of the ABP and professor at University of Arizona; Joel DiBartolo, professor at Northern Arizona University; Catalin Rotaru, who directs the bass program at ASU; the renowned jazz bassist Rufus Reid; Robert Kassinger, member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; and Miloslav Jelinek, solo bassist from the Brno (Czech Republic) Philharmonic.

The Festival officially began on Thursday as Reid and Kassinger arrived in Tucson to give masterclasses during the morning and afternoon at the UA School of Music. The Festival then traveled north 100 miles to Tempe, where the first evening concert featured Jelinek with Rotaru in a classical concert in Katzin Hall. The evening included a marvelous performance of Bottesini’s Passione Amarosa by Jelinek and Rotaru, with Chai-I Chen on piano.

The next morning the participants eagerly crowded the hallways of ASU, waiting for the fun-filled day to start. By 10 AM the Festival was in full swing as clinicians led performance classes throughout the day. That evening, Rotaru, Neher and Jelinek performed a stirring classical concert. All three clinicians showed off their mesmerizing style. Rotaru performed an incredible version of Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations and received a standing ovation. Neher gave the world premiere of his own Crystals for double bass and prepared electronics. Wrapping up the concert, Jelinek’s delivered a melodious performance of Haydn’s Concerto for Cello in C major.

On Saturday, the participants were engaged in masterclasses in all music styles. The day took a rousing detour into jazz music, as the highlight of the evening was an up-beat concert featuring Reid, DiBartolo and Kassinger. Joining the bassists on stage was ASU’s Mike Kocour on piano and Dom Moio on percussion. The concert resonated with bopping tunes and was a groovy way to end the night.

On Sunday the first ABP Double Bass Solo Competition was underway. The grand prize was a beautiful Shen bass, donated by Robertson and Sons Violin Shop. In the end, only one could take home the BIG prize, and congratulations to Chunyang Wang! Wang is a student at the Juilliard School of Music; John Sims came in a close second and Alexander Jacobsen in third. The solo competition was a big success. Hopefully, this amazing opportunity will be extended to the 4th ABP Festival next March.

The Festival ended with an “All-Clinician Bass Jamm.” All six clinicians - Jelinek, Neher, Reid, DiBartolo, Kassinger and Rotaru - performed together, accompanied again by Kocour and Moio. There were several arrangements for the entire group, including DiBartolo’s own arrangement of Bottesini’s Elegy. The amazing final concert showcased the versatile power of the bass and ended the all-star 3rd Arizona Bass Players Festival with a bang. - By Matthew Aussprung

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Serving grades 9-12, the Idyllwild Arts Academy is California’s only arts-based boarding school on the west coast, and one of only three independent boarding arts high schools in the United States. Founded in 1986, the Academy combines a fully-accredited college preparatory program with pre-professional training in music, creative writing, dance, film and video, interdisciplinary arts, theater and the visual arts. Located in the San Jacinto Mountains of southern California above Palm Springs, the adjacent communities of Idyllwild and Pine Cove, CA, with a combined population of 3,500, are approximately 100 miles from both Los Angeles and San Diego. The area is a resort destination for hiking, mountain and rock climbing and horseback riding.

Several Idyllwild students have written the ISB about their experiences there:

“My name is Boyang Yu. I am a double bass player from China. I have been studying at the Idyllwild Arts Academy on full scholarship for three years. Right now, I am a senior who is graduating. I have been principal bass with the Idyllwild orchestra for three years. I feel very lucky to have worked with my private teacher, Chris Hanulik. He is the co-principal bass of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. His patience and sense of humor really helped me learn playing bass in an easy way. I am also very lucky to have worked with Peter Askim. He is not only the music director of the Idyllwild Arts Academy Orchestra; but also a bassist and a composer. We often have bass sectionals with him. I can hardly believe as a high school orchestra, we have already worked on many masterworks, which include Beethoven’s Symphony No.3 and Brahms’ Symphony No.4. In addition each year, the orchestra does a new music concert that provides us a chance to work directly with composers. In recent years the orchestra has given several world premieres. Fortunately, with all of my teachers help, I got into the New England Conservatory on a full scholarship. I am going to keep studying double bass with the assistant principal bass of the Boston Symphony, Larry Wolfe, in September. A musician’s life starts at Idyllwild. It has already provided me a big success. I would like to share the same experience with you. Please don’t miss this opportunity to start your musical life at the Idyllwild Arts Academy. Come on and join us!”

“I’m Mariya Andoniya Andonova. Coming from a different country, hundreds and thousands miles away from Southern California, the Idyllwild Arts Academy has become my second home. After spending two years of my life here, I have become inexpressibly attached to the school, the teachers and the students, who are very supportive and inspiring to me. When I graduate two years from now, I will feel much more confident to continue on with my journey as an artist. Idyllwild Arts Academy has an amazing faculty who are both very focused and well-acquainted with their subjects. Studying with Chris Hanulik, co-principal bass from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has been a great, life experience fro me. Also, Peter Askim, who is the conductor of the Academy orchestra and who also is the Composer in Residence, has taught me lots of skills for orchestra as well as solo playing. Having such great mentors, I have grown up as a person, musician and artist. The Academy has given me a chance to be here and to do what I have always wanted to do and be, a chance that means a lot to me and to my parents. A chance that has opened numerous doors for me, such as participating in Itzhakh Perlman’s summer program two years in a row. Idyllwild Arts Academy has made my dreams become true by training and treating me as an artist with responsibilities and goals to be reached.”

“I’m Curtis Aikens. Idyllwild Arts is the best. I know of no other high school where you have all of the performance opportunities of this school. I used to only play jazz and had the honor of studying with Marshall Hawkins for two years. Because of him I have learned so much about the bass and building relationships with other musicians. I recently had an interest in classical bass, so I started studying with Stephanie Payne with the hopes of becoming good enough to switch to a classical major. With the help of Peter Askim, Stephanie Payne and Marshall Hawkins, my playing has improved so much more than I could have ever hoped for. How many high school students can say they studied with Marshall Hawkins, or say they have performed in the Red Cat Theater at Walt Disney Hall? How many high school students can go to a Los Angeles Philharmonic concert and watch their teachers perform? Because of this school I have improved so much, and have met many important people in the business. I don’t think there are many places where a student can get this much attention and guidance. There is no place better for an aspiring musician.”

The Idyllwild (California) Arts Academy is still accepting applications from talented high school age bassists for the 2008-09 academic year. Bass students study with Los Angeles Philharmonic co-principal bass Christopher Hanulik or San Diego Symphony principal bass Jeremy Kurtz, and perform with the Idyllwild Arts Academy Orchestra, under the baton of music director and composer-in-residence Peter Askim. Visiting guest artists at Idyllwild include Stefano Scodanibbio, Mark Dresser, Richard (Dobbs) Hartshorne, Jeremy Kurtz, Matt Haimovitz, Fred Sherry, and the Julliard, Miro and Kronos quartets. Recent graduates have received full scholarships to Juilliard, Curtis, New England Conservatory, Oberlin and San Francisco conservatories. Scholarships are still available, apply immediately. For more information, go to http://www.idyllwildarts.org/academy/academy_admission.html.

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NEWS OF NOTE

Jerry Fuller will perform with the Baroque Band on June 4th at Nichols Concert Hall of The Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston, on June 5th at Rockefeller Chapel of the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, and June 11th at Symphony Center in Chicago. All concerts at 7:30pm. The program, “The Beguiling Flute,” will feature Anita Rieder as soloist. For tickets call 312.235.2368 or visit www.BaroqueBand.org.

The Idyllwild (California) Arts Academy is still accepting applications from talented high school age bassists for the 2008-09 academic year. Study with Los Angeles Philharmonic principal bassChristopher Hanulik or San Diego Symphony principal bass Jeremy Kurtz, and perform with the critically acclaimed Idyllwild Arts Academy Orchestra, under the baton of music director and composer-in-residence Peter Askim. Visiting guest artists at Idyllwild include Stefano Scodanibbio, Mark Dresser, Richard (Dobbs) Hartshorne, Jeremy Kurtz, Matt Haimovitz, Fred Sherry, and the Julliard, Miro and Kronos quartets. Recent graduates have received full scholarships to Juilliard, Curtis, New England Conservatory, Oberlin and San Francisco conservatories. Scholarships still available, apply immediately. For more information go tohttp://www.idyllwildarts.org/academy/academy_admission.html.

A fire on Tuesday, May 20th, broke out at the Berlin Philharmonic’s landmark home. Musicians and firefighters were able to save all but non-portable instruments. There were no injuries, and the damage is less extensive than originally feared. Welding work is being investigated as a possible cause. The orchestra will perform works by Hector Berlioz - “Symphonie Fantastique” and the cantata “La Mort de Cléopâtre.” - in the Tempelhof Airport’s Hangar Two, which is occasionally used for rock concerts. “Berlioz wrote a piece for when the railways were first invented. So I think he’d be very happy for us to be in an airport hangar,” observed conductor Simon Rattle.

Dan Styffe will be giving the world premiere of “Duo” for double bass and viola by Norwegian composer Ruben Sverre Gjertsen at the Oslo Chamber Music Festival in August, ‘08. Later that month, he will appear at the World Double Bass Festival III in Wroclaw, Poland. In October, Dan will give the world premiere of “Concerto for Bass and Strings” by Swedish composer Fredrik Högbergduring the Ultima Contemporary Music Festival in Oslo, Norway, with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra. Watch for the release of his new solo CD this summer.

Kurt Muroki has been appointed to the faculty of Stony Brook University and will start teaching there in the fall of 2008. Stony Brook offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees. Kurt is a featured artist with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and teaches at the Bowdoin Music Festival and The New Jersey City University. Kurt has also served on faculty at the Juilliard School of Music in New York. More info at http://www.sunysb.edu/ and http://www.muroki.com.

Tod Leavitt has been appointed full-time bass instructor at Valdosta State University beginning August, 2008. Congratulations, Tod!

Bassist Jeffry Eckels recently traveled from Ecuador to join John Murphy, saxophone, and percussionist Jose Aponte, both on the faculty of the University Of North Texas School of Music, for concerts and clinics in Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco, Peru. A highlight was a concert sponsored by the U.S. ambassador to Peru for 750 invited guests. Jeffry will be leaving his post at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (read about the job opening below) where, as head of the bass department, he has taught acoustic and electric bass and ear training and directs ensembles, for the University of North Texas in the Fall of 2008. He has been offered a full teaching fellowship at UNT, where he will conduct one of the lab bands and study with Jeff Bradetich.

Jazz fans and bassists everywhere can enjoy more stories and photos by the late, great Milt Hinton in the new book “Playing the Changes: Milt Hinton’s Life in Stories and Photographs,” co-authored by David Berger. Hear the May 4, 2008 interview broadcast during National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition Sunday program at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90167651. The book is available at bookstores everywhere from Vanderbilt Press. A funeral service for Mona Hinton, Milt’s widow, was held Friday, May 9, 2008 at 10 AM at St. Albans Congregational in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Milt and Mona were married for 57 years, during which she was his true partner, anchor and helpmate. It was truly a match made in jazz heaven, and they are survived by a daughter and granddaughter. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Jazz Foundation of America, 322 W. 48th Street, NYC, NY 10036, or to the American Cancer Society.

JOB OPENING for bass instructor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. A supportive environment, great colleagues and opportunity for growth. The position is a one-year, (two-semester) contract with option to re-new for a second year if both parties mutually agree. Teachers can usually save a substantial amount of their salary, as housing is included as
well as local health insurance (in many cases better than the States), and round-trip airfare. The teaching load is mainly private students and a few ensembles. Although musicianship, performing skills and experience are important, the emphasis will be on teaching. Knowledge of Spanish a plus! Contact Jay Byron, jayb@usfq.edu.ec.

Atelier Constantin Popescu has moved to a new location! The address and contact information: 403 e. Putnam Ave., Greenwich/Cos Cob, CT 06807, 203/661-9500, www.atelierconstantinpopescu.com.

ISB president-elect and 2009 convention host Rob Nairn will be in Adelaide, Australia, to give a concert and masterclass at Marryatville High School on June 4th. For more information go towww.bassworks.com.au.

MusicalAmerica.com reports that José Antonio Abreu, the Venezuelan economist and composer who in the early 1970s founded El Sistema, the national system of children and youth orchestras of Venezuela, has been awarded honorary membership of the Royal Philharmonic Society. He is the 123rd recipient of the award since the election of Carl Maria von Weber in 1826, and accepted the award at a ceremony in London’s Dorchester Hotel on May 15. The socio-musical movement has created 120 Venezuelan orchestras, the most celebrated of which is the Simon Bolivàr Orchestra. Its young conductor, Gustavo Dudamel, is music director designate of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Keynote speaker Dr. Richard Holloway, chair of the Joint Board of Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen and chair of Sistema Scotland, stressed the importance of play in childhood. The first Sistema project in Europe, Sistema Scotland, is slated to begin in June, 2008.

Really Good Music, LLC is pleased to announce the return and publication of Dave Anderson’smusic for double bass. As many readers know, Dave is the principal bass of the Louisiana Philharmonic, an active jazz-funk bassist on the New Orleans scene and a respected composer. He’s managed to recover enough master copies of his many popular compositions (Dave and his family suffered major, major losses during Katrina) to get them back in print. Go towww.reallygoodmusic.com and click on “Artists,” then Dave Anderson. Then purchase a lot of music!
COMPETITIONS, MASTERCLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND FESTIVALS

The first Wratislavia International Double Bass Competition, Gary Karr, Honorary Patron, will be held August 3-9, 2008 at the Academy of Music in Wroclaw, Poland. For information go towww.doublebass.vel.pl, then click on “Wratislavia,” then “Rules.” The public is welcome to observe. Cost for accommodations for one day on campus with breakfast and lunch, 22 Euros.

Reservations due by the end of June. Email olkiew3@poczta.onet.pl.

The first Pan American Music Festival will be held at the Fine Arts Complex of the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, TX, June 2-7, 2008. The program will include noon and evening concert performances, technique classes, master classes, private lessons, teachers training sessions, and an instrument repair workshop. Joining director George Amorim on the faculty will beSonia Ray, professor at the Federal University of Goiás in Brazil, and Gudrun Raschen, graduate teaching assistant at the University of North Texas. Bass ensembles and performance opportunities for participants! Information and registration are available online at www.utpa.edu/pamfestival, emailgamorim@utpa.edu, or call 956/929-8176.

The 15th annual OCU Summer Bass Camp will be held July 13-19 in the Wanda L. Bass Music Center on the campus of Oklahoma City University. Directed by John Schimek, the weeklong camp will focus on every area of “bassdom.” High School and college-aged students are invited to participate as well as “non-traditional” students and orchestra teachers who may need a refresher course (last year, six orchestra directors attended!) If you like to play the bass for 10 hours per day, then OCU Bass Camp is for you! For information email jschimek@okcu.edu, or call 405/208-5149.

Double bass studies at Ottawa Suzuki Strings “Sound Encounters” music camp in Ottawa, Kansas, June 11-20, 2008, will featured guest artist Harold Robinson, principal bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Also on the faculty will be Dennis Whittaker, principal bass with the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and instructor at the University of Houston, and bass instructor Kristi Knechtfrom Kansas City. Go to www.ottawasuzukistrings.org or contact Dennis Whittaker, (713) 743-3379.

The 21st Annual Jeff Bradetich Master Classes, June 9-13, at the University of North Texas offers a concentrated week of classical training for aspiring bassists including lots of technique, solo classes, orchestral study, and ensembles. In addition, the 8th Annual Beginners and Intermediate Bass Camp are offered June 11-13 with Jack Unzicker and Jessica Gilliam-Valls. The Elite Soloists Program, June 2-6, accepts five participants by audition to receive one lesson every day and play in four solo master classes during the week. For information go to www.music.unt.edu/workshops.

The Lynn Seaton Jazz Double Bass Workshop at the University of North Texas will be June 9-13, 2008. Sessions on upright technique, soloing, developing bass lines, jazz history and theory, playing in a small group with rhythm section, plus performance opportunities. For more information go towww.music.unt.edu/jazz or email dmayes@music.unt.edu, or call 940/565-3743.

The New Hampshire Bass Fest 2008, June 25-28 at Manchester Community College will feature Rufus Reid, Michael Manring, Steve Bailey and Todd Johnson are among the guest faculty who will educate and entertain attendees. Bassists of all ages and abilities welcome! There will be a free-of-charge Open House on Saturday from 10 AM - 3 PM, with all events open to the public. For more information go to www.nhbassfest.com.

The 15th Annual Hammond Ashley Memorial Double Bass Workshop will be held June 23- 27 at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington, offering advanced classes with Max Dimoff, principal bass of the Cleveland Orchestra, and Jeff Bradetich. Beginner, intermediate and adult classes are taught by Todd Gowers, Ben Musa and Miriam Chong. Contact Todd Gowers attoddgowers@wwdb.org

The 13th annual Golden Gate Bass Camp takes place July 6-13 at the Valley Center for the Performing Arts, Holy Names University, in Oakland, California. Faculty includes Barry Green, director, Mary Knysh, Diana Gannett, Donovan Stokes, Inez Wyrick, Kristin Korb, John Clayton, David Young, John Kennedy, Dustin Williams, Richard Duke, Ed Williams, Pat Klobas and Alan Scofield. The Ray Brown Jazz Course, July 10-13, will be led by artistic director John Clayton, with a faculty that includes Pat Klobas, Kristin Korb, Richard Duke and Ed Williams. For information or to register, go to www.innergameofmusic.com/basscamp/.

George Vance’s 2008 Summer Bass Workshop will be July 7-11 at Albert Einstein High School in Silver Spring, MD. Faculty members include Francois Rabbath, Anthony Bianco, Etienne Lafrance, Robert Oppelt, Robert Peterson, Tracy Rowell, George Vance, Ali Yazdanfar and luthier Christian Laborie. For more information call 301/588-9275, email George@slavapub.net or go to www.slavapub.net.

The 3rd Mittenwald International Masterclass with Jeff Bradetich is scheduled for August 4-9, 2008. Come to the historical town of Mittenwald, Germany, hometown of Pöllmann double basses and Mike and Ralph Krahmer. Guest instructors include Timothy Dunin and Andreas Bennetzen, artistic director. For more information contact Andreas Bennetzen at info@dynamobass.dk, or go towww.music.unt.edu/mittenwald.

Double bass study is now on the schedule for the 23rd annual International Master Classes for Strings, Professor Petru Munteanu, founder. Gottfried Engels will be guest bass professor for the event, August 8-18, at the Kloster Schoental in Germany. For details and registration information, email Petru.Munteanu@gmx.de.

The first Wratislavia International Double Bass Competition, Gary Karr, Honorary Patron, will be held August 3-9, 2008 at the Academy of Music in Wroclaw, Poland. For information go towww.doublebass.vel.pl, then click on “Wratislavia,” then “Rules.” The public is welcome to observe. Cost for accommodations for one day on campus with breakfast and lunch, 22 Euros.
Reservations due by the end of June. Email olkiew3@poczta.onet.pl.

The Polish Double Bass Society, K. Lipinski Academy of Music and W. Lutoslawski Philharmonie in Wroclaw announces the Third World Bass Festival in Wroclaw, Poland, August 10-17, 2008. Participants will enjoy 28 classic and jazz concerts performed by 62 great musicians, and attend classic and jazz masterclasses, lectures and presentations each morning. Among the presenters will be Ron Carter, Francois Rabbath, Thomas Martin, Renaud Garcia Fons, Miloslav Jelinek, Frank Proto, Catalin Rotaru, Tom Knific, Jeff Bradetich, Irena Olkiewicz, Miloslav Gajdos, Tadeusz Gorny, Thierry Barbe, Tadeusz Wielecki, David Murray, Barry Green, Barre Phillips, Hans Sturm, John Schimek, Eric Hansen, Andrew Kohn, Peter Askim, Sonia Ray, Jiri Valenta, Dan Styffe, Gerard Przybyla, Karoly Saru, Dominik Schulz and many others. To view the schedule on the Polish Double Bass Society website, www.doublebass.vel.pl or email olkiew3@poczta.onet.pl orgrzegorz.olkiewicz@neostrada.pl.

The 2008 Vail Jazz Festival Summer Workshop in Vail, CO, August 23-September 1, holds a special music-in-residency program for 12 gifted and dedicated high school musicians. The faculty includes John Clayton, Jeff Clayton, Terell Stafford, Bill Cunliffe, and Lewis Nash. Full and partial scholarships are offered to students accepted into the workshop. For more information call 970/479-6146, or go to www.vailjazz.org.

The International Performers’ Competition, hosted by the Czech Society of Bassists and theBrno International Music Festival, will be held September 14-20, 2008 in Brno, Czech Republic. For information and application go to www.mhf-brno.cz/mis/en/, or email jelinekmilos@volny.cz.

The 5th International Double Bass Competition “Johann Matthias Sperger” will be held at Ludwigslust, Germany, September 29 - October 5, 2008. Applications due August 15, 2008. For more information contact artistic director Klaus Trumpf, info@klaus-trumpf-sperger.de, or go towww.spergergesellschaft.de.

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 30 through November 3, 2008. Renowned artists of all genres - classical, contemporary, avant-garde and jazz - will give masterclasses, showcases, clinics, recitals and evening concerts. There will also be an exhibition of publishers, makers and bass shops, and a composition competition. The player’s competition will have five categories: solo, orchestra, jazz, contemporary and mini-bass (ages 7 to 18 years). Among the dozens of guest artists scheduled are: Bozo Paradzik, Dan Styffe, Roman Patkolo, Jeff Bradetich, Teppo Hauta Aho, Daniel Marillier, Thierry Barbe, Joel Quarrington, Gottfried Engels, Diana Gannett, Miloslav Jelinek, Hans Sturm, Francois Rabbath, Paul Ellison, Tom Knific, Mark Morton, Catalin Rotaru, Rufus Reid, John Patitucci, Riccardo del Fra, Renaud Garcia Fons, Barre Philips, Stefano Scodanibbio, Tobias Gloeckler, David Sinclair, Rob Nairn, Joe Carver, Michael Greenberg, Richard Myron and many more. For more information go tohttp://www.contrebasse.com/en/news/index.html and www.bass2008.com. The Bass 2008 team can book the hotels for you, or you can register on contrebasse.com and post a message to find free housing with a Parisian bassist. Questions? Email Thierry Barbe at tbarbe@gmail.com.

ON SALE NOW

Go to www.vimpvideo.com to order a DVD of the 2007 ISB convention at Oklahoma City University. The DVD includes interviews, sights, and sounds of the largest ISB convention ever, plus performance clip extras and more.

Go to http://www.isbworldoffice.com/isb_shop/merchandise.html to purchase the new orchestra tuning version of Paul Ramsier’s “Divertimento Concertante on a Theme of Couperin,” and the new double bass piano reduction of Peter Askim’s “Islands” Concerto (solo and orchestra tunings available). Order either online, or by printing out and mailing in the downloadable order form. CDs for sale at http://www.isbworldoffice.com/isb_shop/merchandise.html include the first CD by theBad Boyz of Bass, the music of Peter Askim, and Lynn Seaton Live at the 2003 ISB Convention.

More posters, 2007 convention t-shirts and videos on sale at http://www.isbworldoffice.com/isb_shop/merchandise.html. Looking to sell your bass, bow, or CD? Use ISB Classifieds to help sell it! Check out the ISB website (click “Shop” on the toolbar) for more information!

Mark your calendars for the 2009 ISB convention, June 8 through 13, 2009 at Penn State University in State College, PA!

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Dear ISB Members and Friends,

Many of you know our friend and colleague, Bob Kurz, proprietor of Bob’s House of Basses, principal bass of the National Philharmonic and long time supporter of the ISB. Bob is calling upon his fellow bassists to join him in a revolutionary advocacy effort to help handicapped children with cerebral palsy.

Many of you might know that Bob and Anna’s oldest son, Sixten, is severely handicapped and suffers from cerebral palsy. Sixten is profoundly retarded, and unable to walk, talk or even eat. He receives his nutrition via a feeding tube. Sixten’s physical condition is getting worse due to advancing scoliosis (a 55 degree curve in his spine), resulting in painful deformities to his hips and legs.

Bob and Anna have worked tirelessly to provide the kind of care for Sixten that will help him achieve his best potential in life. Five years ago they discovered a multidisciplinary educational methodology originating in Hungary called Conductive Education (CE). After a short introduction to CE in Budapest during the summer of 2004, Sixten was noticeably stronger, more confident and happier. Sadly though, this particular method is not available in America’s public schools for special-needs children.

For the past three years Bob and Anna have been fighting for the inclusion of Conductive Education in public school curriculums. Now their efforts may actually start paying off. The superintendent of the Prince George’s County (Maryland) Public Schools, Dr. John Deasy, has granted approval for a Conductive Education pilot program to be implemented starting in August, 2008. This would be an historic event for handicapped children attending America’s public schools.

Unfortunately, due to an all-too-common educational budget crisis in their local school system, Bob and Anna must raise the funds themselves to hire a certified Conductive Education Teacher and launch the pilot program. They are hopeful that their efforts will spark a broader acceptance of Conductive Education nationwide and help children everywhere.

Won’t you please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to help pay for a full time teacher’s salary and implement this historical program? Please feel free to call Bob at the shop if you have any questions about this program (1-888-289-9877).

Every donation, large and small, will help!

Go to www.sixtensfoundation.org, or mail your contribution, payable to:

Sixten’s Foundation
c/o Robert Kurz
PO Box 420
Glenn Dale, MD. 20769

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The International Society of Bassists now has a Facebook page! Click below to visit this page and get to know other members of the organization a little better. You can share photos, links, videos, and the like on this page, as well as comments and feedback for the organization.  You don’t have to have a Facebook account to see this page–just click the button below to check it out!

There is also a Facebook group for the ISB (you need a Facebook account to see this):

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6742118582 

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Double bassist Joel Quarrington recently released a new album titled “Bottesini: Music for Double Bass & Piano Vol. 2″.  Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Bass Hal Robinson performs alongside Joel for the Grad Duetto.  Check it out by clicking on the album below:

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Every issue of Bass Line features “Basses for Sale” classified ads. If you’re an individual with an instrument for sale, download the official “Basses for Sale” listing form, and send it with your check or money order in U.S. funds ($15 for members, $30 for non-members) to the ISB office. Online classified ads can accept photos and are also printed in every issue of The Bass Line newsletter.

Download “Basses for sale” form (.pdf)

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If you love the double bass and benefit from the many ways the ISB brings the worldwide double bass community together, then we need your support! Your donation helps the ISB to host educational events, sponsor competitions, publish its popular membership magazine, Bass World and The Bass Line newsletter, and host an informative website that is open to all.

The International Society of Bassists is a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization, and the full amount of your donation is deductible for Federal income tax purposes as allowed by law. For more information about becoming a supporter, to make a donation to the ISB Endowment Fund, or to design your own sponsorship, contact the ISB, 972/233-9107 ext. 204, info@ISBworldoffice.com.

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