 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: RLarm
Date: 2017-08-17 23:11
If we were able to get the convention to Honolulu would you consider attending? In a completely unscientific survey I asked several prominent players and they all said YES!!! One very prominent French clarinetist told me, "Robert, I have always refused to play at these conventions but I think I can make an exception for Hawaii." It would be held at the Hawaii Convention Center which has two downsides:
1. There is a humongous beach park less than a ten minute walk from the site.
2. Right across the street is one of the largest shopping centers in the country.
So before I make an informal inquiry with Mitch Estrin I would like to hear if you would be interested.
P.S.: If we can pull this off we can attract a much larger Asian contingent which is producing good to great players as if they were on an assembly line, i.e. Han Kim.
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2017-08-17 23:33
I would definitely consider attending! I suggest inquiring sooner rather than later about the proposal, as I understand it's complex and works three to four years out to get things assembled.
Christopher Nichols, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Clarinet
University of Delaware
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2017-08-18 00:05
This is a great idea. So many people like to vacation or dream of vacationing in the islands, and this would be just the nudge they need to get them there. Asia has lots of virtuoso players, including some originally from other parts of the world. Istvan Kohan, for one, lives in Japan. The Honolulu venue could turn out to be the most "international" of all the International Clarinet Association events. Maybe Martin Frost and Sabine Meyer might want to vacation in the Pacific for a few days and get in a performance or two. I'd say go for it.
Post Edited (2017-08-18 02:02)
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Author: RLarm
Date: 2017-08-18 00:29
I will jot off an informal inquiry to Mitch Estrin this afternoon. After hearing your responses I anticipate more.of the same. NO COAT.AND TIES EXCEPT FOR THE ARTISTS BIG FEATURE CONCERTS. And as the local stores signs say:Footwear and shirts required.
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Author: RLarm
Date: 2017-08-18 01:07
This will be a major undertaking but I am fortunate that I have great and prominent friends within ICA and several local friends who have tremendous organizational skills so we can hopefully organize it in record time. Knock on wood. This started off as a joke but it has transformed into a sincere proposal. It helps that several individuals that will be involved in the planning are retired, just as I am so we have much more time to invest in this idea. Bigger miracles have happened.
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Author: donald
Date: 2017-08-18 05:18
I played in Honolulu many years back, none of my reeds worked (Oliveri at the time) and I stubbed my toe at the beach.... But I'd go back in a shot...
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2017-08-19 00:25
The only problem I can see is getting enough students to attend because of the expense of flying there. I've know so many groups and people that drive because of the expense. I doubt there would be a problem getting artists to attend though. Just my two cents.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: RLarm
Date: 2017-08-19 01:05
Ed, the US students would be less of a presence but believe me, the Asian student attendance would be very high. MONEY. Many of the Asian students come from families that are let's say "very well off." So that is not an issue. If Han Kim were to attend that would draw hundreds of affluent Korean students. That's part of what Psy was parodying in Gangnam Style. Younger and younger Asian tourists cover Honolulu and its suburbs. This has the POTENTIAL of being the highest attended Convention in ICA's history.MONEY. Have you ever watched the videos on the ALL JAPAN BAND COMPETITION? Every Band has a rosewood contrabass clarinet. (Selmer is one happy company.) So traveling to Hawaii is not a financial issue. (I am an American Asian of Chinese/Japanese.descent.) Let us hope that we can all help in pulling this off and pray that the "Man" forgot the nuclear codes.
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2017-08-19 18:57
I have Japanese friends who come to New Orleans every year to attend the jazz festival. Going to Hawaii would be just a drop in the hat for them. Some very young Asian clarinetists think nothing of owning a matched set of Wurlitzer, S & S, Rossi, Tosca, or Backun clarinets. They'll come to Honolulu to see players like Han Kim; you can bet on it.
Post Edited (2017-08-19 19:49)
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2017-08-20 17:05
I was speaking about American students. Yes, for Asian students and those closer to Honolulu it would be a plus. I'm sure even many Americans that can get the finances or can afford it would love to go. I'm NOT dissing the idea just ponting out the obvious from the mainland, especially the east coast. It reminds me of the first job I was ever offered while still in conservatory. I was offered the principal position in the Honolulu symphony, about 1960-61 but I had to pay my own way to the west coast, I was in NY, and all the way back home after the short season. Of course I couldn't even afford the air fair. PS. I was not the only one being offered the job that turned it down. :-)
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
Post Edited (2017-08-20 17:12)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2017-08-21 03:24
Yup! But we'd NEED cheaper hotel rates than the usual summertime honolulu hotel rates! Maybe a dorm room setup like they did in the past.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: RLarm
Date: 2017-08-21 03:46
Ed, I now consider you a friend, but what about the years when the convention was held in Europe. What was the attendance of American students for those events? I am very confident that more American students will travel to Honolulu than to all the European conventions combined because we are part of the US (some people don't treat us that way) and because it still is a big tourist destination there will be families that will come down, drop their student member at the convention site while they have the time of their life traveling around the island! In fact, I would encourage anyone attending(Yes I agree if you fly in from the east it is a LONG flight. I have done so and it can tough.) to come early or stay a few days after and see the entire island. There's a lot more to Hawaii than just the Waikiki Convention center area.(The proposed site, the Honoulu Convention Center is not considered part of Waikiki proper by the locals but is very close to it.) seabreeze is absolutely 100% accurate about the Asian money. One of my flute friends said her Japanese national student who was attending a local high school was at an event for local flute instructors where the local Muramatsu rep (the principal from the Hawaii Symphony) was exhibiting and demonstrating the various models. What did the parents of that Japanese student do? They paid cash on the spot for a $60,000 flute as if it was a snack at 7-11. We (a consortium of my college classmates of which two work for the ICA) are working on this fast and furious because we don't have the energy to do this five years now. Yes Ed, we're spring chickens compared to you. (You are one sharp Fall chicken!)So the clock is ticking and everyone will be kept in the loop. And Dave Blumberg's idea of taking one of the Europe slots is a very innovate idea that I hope the Board will also take into consideration. ALOHA! And if any of you are desperate for housing I have three sofas you can sleep on at my house. I live about a twenty five minute drive from my house. From my house there are also bus stops just up or down the road that can take you to the shopping center which is adjacent to the convention center. In fact, Ala Moana Shopping would be a big player if we can pull this because of all the Asians that might attend this event. The center would easily pull in millions from this event. They even have a concert stage which could be used for performances. Keep your fingers crossed.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2017-08-21 17:36
I have NO objection at all. I simply bought this up for consideration.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: RLarm
Date: 2017-08-21 22:12
Alexi,you are correct about the cost of hotel rooms. With gentle "persuasion" I'm sure we can get some kind of price break. But now it's all a moot point until the Boards approves it and then I can submit a formal proposal.Everything is more expensive here in Hawaii. There is a house down the street which just went for $750,000. If you saw it you'd drop to your knees in total shock. However, it is a great place to live and would be a great site for the ICA Convention. I know the Mayor very well and he would be ecstatic about this and would do everything within his powers to make this dream become reality. It would terrific to hear from more of you CBB contributors as to your take. This will have an impact on the Board. ALOHA.
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Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2017-08-21 22:15
Give me a date and I'll starting planning. Sounds like a lot of fun. I can knock two things off my bucket list: ICA Convention and Hawii!
~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)
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Author: Mark Charette ★2017
Date: 2017-08-21 23:05
Figure planning at least 3 years ahead.
You'll need lots of help - make friends with the U of Hawaii music department. You'll need their help. Really. Grad and undergrad students are necessities to keep things moving.
Talk to previous ICA coordinators. You'll learn a lot; perhaps enough that you'll not go further.
I was considering sponsoring a long time ago, and Cranbrook Academy was going to help. But hotels were too far, the logistics of getting people back & forth too great, and I couldn't find dorms in the area.
I had fun at the Japanese convention, but I had an excuse to be in Japan. I've not been to a European Convention.
Lots of luck!
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Author: claaaaaarinet!!!!
Date: 2017-08-22 11:16
One other possible downside is for vendors. Shipping merchandise to Hawaii and covering airfare for a team of representatives could be cost prohibitive for some.
Post Edited (2017-08-22 12:25)
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Author: RLarm
Date: 2017-08-23 00:46
That's another reason for a much larger Asian presence in attendance and vendors. I think you now realize the difficulty the Asian vendors and artists deal with on a yearly basis.With the exponential growth in the Asian clarinet world,their attendance will supersede the loss of smaller American vendors. That's the reality of things. I am sorry if this comes across as harsh but if you have ever lived in Hawaii this is something we have to deal with on a daily basis. DO NOT SHIP TO HAWAII. Or, FREE SHIPPING EXCEPT TO HAWAII.If we pull off this miracle attempt I hope you can attend. We could sit down and have a fascinating discussion on this legitimate concern.
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2017-08-24 21:23
If the Clarinet industrial complex thinks they would sell a lot of stuff there, it's a lock. If not, its like bidding for the olympics. Think of all those wasted concert halls that were built and now sit empty after the ICA leaves town.
Tom Puwalski
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Author: RLarm
Date: 2017-08-25 11:08
Tom, if the Convention comes to Honolulu, it will be coming to a structure that has been in place for many years. It will absolutely not remain empty once the ICA leaves town as it hosts various events throughout the year. I think one definite plus would be the presence of more Asian vendors whose products have become more and more prominent throughout not only in Asia but in the US and Europe. I see the possibility of it being held in Honolulu as a win, win proposition. Of course I am biased since I live here. Another thing I need to bring up is that it is very probable that if we don't get it here in 2020 or 2021 it likely will never be held in Honolulu. The younger generation, at least locally, is too "busy" to take on an event of this magnitude. Hopefully we can get an answer from Mitch and Caroline that they are still accepting bids. If they have decided to award it to other sites but just haven't "officially" announced it to the general membership our bid bids ALOHA.
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