The International Double Reed Society performances of 2024
The International Double Reed Society (IDRS) 2024 is now in the record books—we had 950 people attend the conference in Flagstaff!
For those who could not attend, the performances were wonderfully musical, the lectures engaging and informative, and the master classes and workshops terrific learning experiences. It was great to hear the baroque band perform before the orchestra concerts. Many took advantage of the reading groups, everyone had a great time playing the Fireworks music, and the exhibitors had wonderful displays of instruments, reeds, music, and all.
Special thanks go to the IDRS’s Sarah Roper, Eric Stomberg, and Jacqui Wilson. Thanks also for the support of Northern Arizona University, its College of Arts and Letters, and the Kitt School of Music. Very special thanks go to Eric Lenz, Director of the Kitt School of Music, who not only supported the conference with advice and critical financial support from the school, but also with his fine cello performances on many of the recitals and with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra.
The volunteers did a great job, and special thanks go to Allison Stewart and Christina Mayer for organizing the volunteers and to all who jumped in to help when needed. Thanks also to Charles Latshaw and the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra for taking on very difficult concerti accompaniments, and to the pianists and string players who collaborated on the chamber concerts and recitals.
One of the goals of this conference was to be inclusive in every way possible, and this goal we certainly met. It was a very vibrant conference with many discussions continuing in the lobby long after a performance or lecture. The excitement of the conference from the attendees was palpable.
Finally, thank you to all who attended and made this conference such a memorable and exciting experience.
This blog post was written by Rebecca Kemper Scarnati, Professor Emerita (Oboe) with the Kitt School of Music at Northern Arizona University.