JAVS Fall 2000

5

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Viola Colleagues, In the last several months I have been following a particular discipline. Perhaps you have shared this experience with me. I have been working at this discipline almost every day, often several hours a day. It is something that I often don't feel like starting, but once I've started I find the mental and physical challenges engrossing. I'm prepar ing for a performance that will be inspiring for me, a performance that is only possi ble by participating along with many others. Although the hours, weeks, and years of preparation have required stamina, mental toughness, and dedication, the actual "per formance" will be over in a matter of hours. Maybe you identify with some of these feelings in your own relationship with the viola, and the discipline of practice. It is now time to tell you that I am speaking of my training for the Chicago Marathon, at this writing a few weeks away. In these final weeks before the marathon, everything I do seems to be in some way related to the race. Please read on to under stand my fascination with the similarities between the Chicago Marathon and our fine American Viola Society. First, the Chicago Marathon is special because it is so large and diverse. I have run the Chicago twice and been inspired and fulfilled by the 30,000 participants in a way that Cleveland's fine race (with 5,000 starters) could not duplicate. Our vibrant, growing society (the largest national group in the world) allows frequent opportuni- ties for challenge and support through Congresses, competitions, and its publication. Second, it is thrilling to be an amateur running IN THE SAME RACE as the world's greatest athletes! In 1999, as I was running to a personal record in the Chicago Marathon, Khalid Khannouchi broke the world's record for the marathon by finishing a scant 1 hr and 55 minutes in front of me! (The previous year I had finished about 2'/2 hours behind the finisher, so look out for me in the 2004 Olympics!!) In a similar vein, devoted amateurs can benefit from being in the same viola society as the world's most accomplished performers and teachers. Third, runners in the Chicago Marathon are inspired and urged on by the marvelous variety and energy of Chicago's ethnic neighborhoods. Similarly, the variety of events sponsored by our local chapters lend a different ftavor or focus to each. Together they create the rich fabric that is the American Viola Society. Fourth, each runner in the Chicago Marathon has an individual goal-whether it is a world record, breaking 4 hours, or just finishing! Likewise, our society has goals-to provide local mem bership opportunities for each member, 2000 total members, increased prize money in the Primrose competition, or a long dream list of publications. Many of the runners in the race will reach or exceed their goal, while some will suffer cramps or exhaustion and fall short. Ultimately, though, the triumph of the marathon is not the achievement of the goal, but setting the goal high and giving a total effort to reach it. So, I urge you to take your part in this effort to make the American Viola Society great. Whether you have the potential to be a record-breaker, a mid-pack runner, or one who barely makes it the whole way, the Society needs you and your individual talents to make it a great "hap pening." Some members of the society have been pace-setters and others of us have been couch potatoes. It's time for ALL ofus to get in the race-recruiting new members, making connections with students and amateurs, making sure that professional colleagues know of the opportunities to enrich their field through participation in local and national events and publications. Each one of us is needed to make this effort successful, so let's get going! Meet you at the finish line (and don't forget to double-tie your shoe laces)! IS

Peter Slowik

Happy trails, Y~_,S\-~~ Peter Slowik President