JAVS Fall 1997

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dices and agendas, may prove a worthy vehicle for new beginnings, fruitful negotiation, and the resolution of lingering suspicions. The Forum would work under the Roberts Rules of Order and assume such duties out lined in this document under "Long-Range Goals" and any other duties as may be agree able to a majority of the participants. Inter national presidents would submit agenda items for the initial meeting to one person. Agenda items might include: (a) Adoption of a resolution to adopt the International Viola Forum concept for future meetings. (b) Adoption of a resolution thanking all present and past IVG officers and presidium members for their contributions to the viola at the international level. (c) Adoption of new IVG bylaws or close study thereof (d) Establishment of an IVG Forum com mittee structure. (f) Establishment of a commission to study and recommend adoption or rejection of the Forum concept. Forum participants would decide after two years, or agree upon another date, whether to retain the Forum structure or reinstate an up dated IVG. I strongly recommend that the office of president be created in a reasonable period of time and that a violist of international pres tige be elected to that office. At this point I must personally thank the many people, Europeans and American, who have supported Dwight Pounds for the IVG presidency. Yes, I could fill the office and function much as Franz Zeyringer and Gunter Ojstersek have in the past, but what I could not bring to the position would be the

reputation of a world-class viola performer. I believe it crucial that such a person be elected president to give the organizational concept of the Forum as much credibility possible at such a critical time. In any event it is impor tant that the new IVG president (1) fully sup port the organizational concept of the Forum if the IVG adopts this plan or (2) cooperate within the Forum membership alongside independent, non-IVG member viola organi zations. I remain committed to international work among violists and can serve in other capacities. Tom Tatton tells me that Lars Anders Tomter has been suggested as IVG president. I would lend my unqualified sup port to the nomination of Professor Tomter, either as IVG president or International Viola Forum president (should such an office be created). In conclusion I would like to state that the international fraternity of violists owes an enormous debt to the very honorable ladies and gentlemen who have been the IVG and given most generously of their time, personal energies, and finances to further the cause of the viola at the international level. Thanks to their efforts, we now enjoy (1) many various viola events on two continents, (2) an out standing, developing, and functioning inter national viola archive, and (3) many fine journals and newsletters dedicated to further ing the cause of the viola, its literature, builders, scholars, teachers, and students. Let us in turn dedicate ourselves to ensuring that their work has not been in vain. Submitted in the interests of continued dedication to our chosen instrument and the cooperation and goodwill among the world's violists

Dwight Pounds, AVS Historian