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 COMPOSERS' CORNER VOL. XIII June, 2017 WASBE 2017 in Utrecht
Every two years, the international wind band community comes together in a stunning location to celebrate the variety of music for wind band and the wonderful people that continue to perform it. The World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles has held conferences every two years since 1981, and it has consistently maintained a reputation for exhibiting quality new music for wind bands and showcasing the finest ensembles from all over the world. The next WASBE Conference will be from July 18th-22nd in the beautiful city of Utrecht, The Netherlands. This month, we had an opportunity to speak with Mr. Bert Aalders, a Past-President of WASBE and longtime friend of World Projects.
B. Abigaña - The musical world is preparing for WASBE 2017 in Utrecht. What is your favorite part about the biennial WASBE Conference, and is there anything in particular you’re looking forward to this year? B. Aalders - My favorite part of the conference is that WASBE transcends all borders, languages, and cultures, and provides much-needed recourses to our members and non-members from all over the world. The conference gives everyone (ensembles, conductors, composers, performers, teachers, and audiences) the opportunity to see, listen to, share and present all of the new developments in the world of wind band music. In the digital world, this conference brings cultures and people together (in a social aspect), and all lectures, clinics, and concerts are life performances by participants from all over the world. B. Abigaña - WASBE is often considered by composers to be the best place to premiere new works for band that don’t fall into the more commercial idiom. Would you agree with that, and if so, why do you think that’s the case? B. Aalders - Yes, I agree with that because WASBE is an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of the wind band repertoire and exposing its members to new worlds of repertoire and musical cultures. B. Abigaña - How can young composers better take advantage of an international conference like WASBE, Midwest, and others? And how can those international conferences better take advantage of composers? B. Aalders - WASBE gives the opportunity to (young) composers to be part of our organization so they can share their information/compositions with all members of WASBE all over the world. Also, new compositions will be performed at regional and biennial Conferences and this gives composers a podium to perform their music. Finally, in Utrecht, WASBE will present the results of the 1st Composition Contest performed by the Orchestra of the Dutch Customs conducted by Bjorn Bus. The Utrecht Conference will also have panels to discuss the crucial role of the composer/conductor to the performances, share their life experiences, and explore the different ways of being a composer/conductor. B. Abigaña - Who is your favorite composer or what is your favorite new work right now? B. Aalders - I do not have a favorite but I am always impressed by the presentations and performances of unpublished music of great composers during our conferences like last year’s regional Conference in Prague where we featured the music of Václav Nelhybel. More information about WASBE 2017 in Utrecht, including concerts schedules, social events, partners, advertising, and accommodations can be found at www.wasbe2017.com, and you can learn more about WASBE, including how to become a member, at www.wasbe.org. We hope to see you in Utrecht!
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