February 2009 is Membership Drive Month for the International Society of Bassists, and with the upcoming convention at Penn State this June, there’s never been a better time than now to join up, either for the first time or to renew your membership if it’s lapsed. I’ll be at the convention doing live video streaming of the even for the ISB, and I’m definitely looking forward to meeting all the bass blog readers that’ll be there.

In order to attend he convention, you’ve got to be a member, so what’s keeping you? Join up–it’s a wonderful organization! Here are some more details about the drive, along with testimonials from Gary Karr and Rufus Reid (two previous Contrabass Conversations guests!).

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About the Membership Drive (from the ISB)

It’s Membership Month for the International Society of Bassists! The ISB’s membership drive honorary co-chairs Gary Karr and Rufus Reid invite you and your colleagues and students to join or renew during the month of February.

“Once you’ve been bitten by the bass bug, the ISB has got to be one of the primary sources for nurturing your love and enthusiasm for what the bass represents in your life. The ISB is more than a disseminator of helpful and useful information, it is a brotherhood (and sisterhood!) that offers both moral support and encouragement. My life would not have been complete without the comradeship and inspiration of the ISB. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to have my colleagues throughout the world join to greatly widen the circle of the ISB. Please become a member right away.” – ISB founder Gary Karr

The great double bass soloist Gary Karr created the ISB over forty years ago to serve as a forum for bassists the world over to learn from each other. That’s why it’s so important that the ISB continues to survive and thrive. Famed jazz bassist and composer Rufus Reid has supported the ISB throughout his career:

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“I have been a member of the International Society of Bassist since the early ’70s. In 1981, the organization turned a huge corner, simultaneously honoring Charles Mingus and Oscar Zimmerman, jazz and classical bassists respectively. It was an amazing event. As a jazz bassist, I felt there was now a voice representing my community. The organization has grown to embrace the entire world of the bass. I try to attend every convention. They are inspirational and invigorating, and the feeling of camaraderie is bountiful. The young talent on display in the competitions is simply awesome. Any one of the masterclasses, clinics and incredible concerts is worth the price of admission. I always leave feeling the need to get home to practice! The ISB is very special to me and makes me even prouder that I play the bass. Please join or renew and be a member of our bass family, the ISB. The world of the bass will open up to you! – Rufus Reid

Membership is the life blood of any organization. As a current member of the ISB, we are grateful to you for your continuing support – and we need your help! We challenge you to sign up a fellow bassist during our February membership drive. Members receive Bass World magazine three times a year and monthly e-newsletters, and are among the first to hear of double bass events and competitions. Ask a friend, colleague or student to go to www.isbworldoffice.com/join_isb/join.html and join online or download a membership application and mail it in.

Please forward this email to all the bassists you know – and tell them Gary Karr and Rufus Reid sent you!

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