Validation - do you need it?
In July I had the honour of attending the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) conference in Gwangu-Gyeonggyi, South Korea. I proudly serve as the only WASBE board member from the Oceania region. This past conference would have to be one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life in the wind band community. It wasn’t just the concerts, the people and the incredible hospitality, it was the feeling of validation. Validation of my occupation as a wind band composer, validation of my dedication to wind music and the development of its current and emerging composers, validation of my service to music education through the medium of the wind band.
“A question that is often asked of me is,
“Why would I become a member of WASBE? What will it give me?””
At first, my answer would be related to learning more about what is happening elsewhere in the world. Meeting remarkable, talented and knowledgable conductors who share your own love of all things “band”. Then there’s the AMAZING concerts you hear at the conferences and the ongoing relationships you build across the globe. However, after my time in South Korea, I have come home with a very different answer. It’s now one of validation.
Apart from access to a fantastic array of international repertoire discussions, consortium opportunities, connection with outstanding conductors from across the globe and the ability to attend a conference that features some of the best wind bands you will ever hear in your life, WASBE gives you a direct affiliation with a diverse and passionate international wind band community.
WASBE makes you part of something much bigger than your own band, your own state and even, your own country. WASBE enables you to share your passion for wind band with other like-minded musicians who stem from different educational traditions and diverse perspectives. Together, these professional colleagues foster fresh ideas and opportunities for growth that you may not have ever realised within your own country.
WASBE and the people associated within validate your love of wind bands on an international stage. Collectively, WASBE members validate wind music and above all, validate our respective occupations.
So, why become a member of WASBE?
To validate your occupation to others and above all, feel validated within yourself (Yes! What you do is worthy of celebration and respect!),
To connect, encourage and push beyond the boundaries of your direct sphere and consider something new (when we reach outside our comfort zone all sorts of new opportunities, ideas and possibilities emerge),
To help us all advance the wind band and its repertoire (together we ARE stronger!).
Together, we can keep not only better the future of wind bands, we can keep them alive. We do this best when an international association can prove, beyond any doubt, that a large and healthy community does exist. That can only be achieved if every band director becomes a member of WASBE.
Together we are stronger. Together we can keep music making ALIVE!
Join today: https://www.wasbe.online/join
(Student memberships now available!)
Please consider,
Jodie Blackshaw
Your WASBE Board 2024-2026
An array of professional conductors and composers represent the global wind band community from 13 different countries:
(From L to R): Markus Mauderer (Executive Director - Germany), Björn Bus (The Netherlands), Darrell Brown (Treasurer - USA), Enrique Hernandis Martinez (Spain), Matthew George (Secretary - USA), Miguel Etchegoncelay (President - Argentina/France), Angela Schroeder (Canada), Emily Moss (USA), Joop Boerstoel (President Elect - The Netherlands), Sami Ruusuvuori (Finland), Mark Heron (UK), Jodie Blackshaw (Australia), Rom Shamir (Israel), Andrea Loss (Italy), Yukka Vittasaari (Finland), Colleen Richardson (Immediate Past President - Canada), Glenn Price (Past President - Canada).
Not pictured: Jesús Ignacio Pérez Perazzo (Venezuela), Stephen Phua (Marketing & Communication - Singapore)