 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2005-05-18 22:31
Hello, is anyone going to the World Bass Clarinet Convention?
www.worldbassclarinet.nl
Willy
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Author: Contra
Date: 2005-05-18 23:21
I'd give my next of kin to go, but I lack the funds and any kind of preperation. Looks fun, though.
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Author: Low_Reed
Date: 2005-05-19 01:58
Hi, Willie,
I've been thinking seriously about this since the end of March, when I stumbled across www.worldbassclarinet.com while searching Google images for "bass clarinet". Not a ton of info at that site (it's focused on the WBC Foundation), but I noodled around and found your reference (www.worldbassclarinet.nl), which is the convention site itself. I filled out the online Participants Application Form at the ".nl" site in early April, and have not heard back a single word yet. The web site was static for a long time, but some new info is now beginning to appear.
I'm thrilled with the idea of such a conference, especially since it is billed as an all-inclusive event for pros, students, and amateurs. I'm firmly in the third category. I'm also an avid lover of bass (and lower) clarinets (as I'm pretty sure you you are!) It would be great fun to get together with a bunch of enthusiasts from around the globe. And I haven't been to Europe since 1963...
But that trip was on my parents' dime. And prices have gone up. And I'm torn between two choices: 1) Spend the money on a 4-day trip to Rotterdam; or 2) Stay home, and buy a good used Leblanc 350 paperclip EEb contra-alto clarinet (my first sub-bass cl.), a Fobes San Francisco EEb mouthpiece, and maybe a Fobes San Francisco AP or HB jazz mouthpiece for my Bb bass clarinet.
There has been very little mention so far of this conference on any of the three clarinet forum sites that I frequent, so thanks for bringing it up. I have asked a German e-pen-pal who's a jazz bass clarinetist whether there's much European buzz about this conference, but haven't heard back from him yet.
In the meantime, maybe we can both commute to Billings, Montana and get started on that bass-and-below clarinet quartet you've mentioned...
Low cheers,
Bruce in Minnesota
**Music is the river of the world!**
-- inspired by Tom Waits and a world full of music makers
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Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2005-05-19 05:13
Hi Bruce, do you know of interested players in Montana : ) I wish we are closer locationwise to get that quartet started....
I also noticed the new website yesterday while surfing, and it looks more informational than the previous one that you also mentioned. It looks like a fabulous event, filled with interesting activities that include concerts, instrument displays, live competition, etc, not to mention all the NAMES of the bass clarinet game. And the actual attending fee is quite reasonable considering this is a fairly rare event. An all 3 day pass costs about 180 US$. The only block is the airfare which could be substantial depending where you are departing from (I haven't checked the flight from Vancouver, but it can get very pricey). This would make an ideal trip for those who are making a week or two vacation time of out it, but it seems a bit extravant to go there for just the convention.
Henri Bok and I were emailing back and forth about me buying his new CDs and this topic came up and he encouraged me to attend the convention as he said it would be really worthwhile. I emailed him back request more detail info such as registration procedure and other logistical issues; yet to hear back. He also mentioned how great an instrument the new Selmer Privilege is, well, considering that he is a Selmer artist, I expected that, but I also expect that he would be impartial in his evaluations, so this new bass could really be something great. Anyway, I am sure the convention would be a great opportunity to try all the new basses in the market, even some custom made ones such as Steve Fox. For those who are planning a purchase, you get to try as you wish and make a purchase at a reduced price.
Bruce, I would dearly love to own a Leblanc 350. Maybe this is what you should consider... : )
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Author: donald
Date: 2005-05-19 06:56
a colleague of mine has been invited to perform NZ works there- he is a former student of Harry Sparnay and makes the best sound i've ever heard on Bass clarinet (plus he's got fingers to burn) Last time i looked he (Andrew Uren) wasn't mentioned on the website.
it promises to be a great event
i'm sorry i won't be there
donald
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Author: Igloo Bob
Date: 2005-05-20 04:40
Sounds like cool stuff. I might send in a tape for the selmer contest just to see if I can make the first round. Chances are pretty slim, but never hurts to try, I suppose.
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Author: clairannette
Date: 2005-05-24 03:43
Does anyone know where you can purchase the piece on the tape round, Plain Language by Joep Straesser? It's published by Donemus in Amsterdam. Anyone found it in the US?
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-05-24 05:51
I am almost sure I am going to this convention. By coincidence it is exactly on my birthday so that would be my gift to myself. Looks like my absolute favorite bass clarinetists won't be there, but some really good ones will.
It's probably not advertised that much in the USA because it's unlikely many people will fly all the way from there.
It will also be a great oppotunity to finally buy a great mouthpiece (in my country we have a few Vandorens and that's it).
Does anyone have any ideas what instrument/mouthpiece displays are going to be there?
If anyone is going to be there let me know, we could meet.
Post Edited (2005-05-24 09:50)
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Author: buedsma
Date: 2005-05-24 10:47
No publicity that i know of in europe. The only thing i read was on the net. Probably it is listed and promoted in a few educational institutes.
Nothing in the local music schools anyway. Not so amazing when besides a few classical nearly unknown players , you can't find bassclarinet music in the popular music. Except for very few jazz players that most people on this board didn't even hear of .
Also don't forget that there are apparently some differences in the way of thinking about promotion, profits, music in general between the two continents.
Clarnibas , we were in contact about the double trio music.
When i have the possibility , i'll go there . It's only a four hour drive for me .
I will let you know. You are from israel i suppose ? Myriam Fuchs is regularly singing in belgium :-)
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Author: lowclarinetman
Date: 2005-05-24 12:31
Presser is the sole distrubition agent for donemus in the US. It is SLOW though. Probably better to contact Donemus directly.
good luck, the pieces for the competition are very fun. I don't actually know the Plain Language piece, but Soft is not what I would call easy. The Schoek has some moments as well.
Good luck
Bob Hoit
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