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Hosting
an International Horn Symposium: Mysteries Revealed!
Jeffrey Snedeker, President, International Horn Society
Over the past four years, the IHS's
presence has been felt in the southeastern US, the southern tip of Africa,
central Europe, and back in the US, in the Rocky Mountains and, in 2009 in the
Midwest. In 2010, we'll visit Australia!
We are truly on our way to becoming an "International" Horn Society. I
am sure many wonder why we have traveled so far and wide recently-well, the
simple answer is that we go to where people want to have us. Here is how it
works:
For years, the IHS Advisory Council has
made decisions on where to hold its annual international workshop/symposium
based on a bidding process. This means that in order to hold this event
anywhere, we need an individual and a sponsoring venue or institution willing
to host it. We do not select sites on our own and then try to find a local host
(some societies do this). Quite the
opposite, hosts apply for consideration by submitting a budget and plan for the
event to the Advisory Council. This represents a significant commitment just to
get the bid itself together. The IHS's International Workshop Coordinator,
currently Nancy Joy, is integral to the process from the start, not only
working with potential hosts and institutions to put together realistic plans
for hosting, but also soliciting bids from prospective hosts. Because of the
current majority of members from the US, the general desire for choosing
symposium sites has been to hold the annual symposium two years in the US and
then one year outside the US. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't,
depending on the number and quality of bids we receive. It really comes down to
needing a host and sponsoring venue willing to make the commitment to invite
the IHS to visit. Admittedly, there is much a host and sponsor can gain in
professional reputation, but they must decide it is worth the risk before they
even begin.
Once the bid process is complete, the
International Workshop Coordinator and members of the Advisory Council work
closely with the host to develop an interesting program. Hosts get LOTS of assistance and encouragement,
and the workshop guidelines are very detailed and helpful. Every symposium has its own flavor,
influenced primarily by the interests of the host and the characteristics of
the region. But it always starts with a person who wants to host this event, to
have us all come for a visit. If you
have a hankering to have several hundred friends come for a week, and you have
a place where we can meet, then please consider the possibility. It may seem like a lot of work (and it is!),
but the satisfaction of inviting great musicians over for some great music (and
more) is a true treat. If you want more
information, send me a message at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and I'll be
glad to pass on your request on to Nancy- she'll be only too happy to help.
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