JAVS Fall 2003

have been thoughtful and enthusi as tic proponents of the AVS during their eight years on the board. Also departing the board is Past President Peter Slowik, who main tained his energetic and crucial involvement right up to the last minute of his last board meeting. In addition to his four vital years as President of the AVS, Peter was host of the 1993 Viola Congress and continues to be a dedicated teacher (Oberlin), performer, and busy parent of four. On behalf of the board and membership of the AVS, I wish to thank him for his dedication and visionary leadership over the last five years.

While you are online, you will notice many wonderful additions to our website. These are a resulr of a summer's worth of hard work by JAVS Editor (and AVS Board member) Kathryn Steely. Note especially the Summer 2003 JAVS Online, featuring four articles of scholarly interest. You can help promote the American Viola Society and irs activi ties by passing along our Internet address (www.americanvi olasociety.org) ro your friends, stu dents, or reachers who are nor yet members. In addition to rhe arti cles and information already avail able at our sire, we have now post ed the Spring 2003 JAVS in Adobe Acrobat format [PDF] so rhar prospective members can see a sample issue of the Journal. We are particularly interested in reaching violists in other countries that would enjoy our Journal and our other sponsored activities. There have been a few additions to the AVS Board as well. Recently elected to four-year terms were Claudine Bigelow (Brigham Young University) , Nancy Buck (Arizona State University), Carol Rodland (New England Conservatory) and Michael Isaac Strauss (Principal Viola, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra). They take over for departing board members John Graham and Karen Ritscher, who

Now is a good time to make your travel plans for the upcoming XXXII International Viola Congress, to be held July 9- 13 at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus (Minneapolis I St. Paul). I have attended the last five Congresses and have greatly appre ciated meeting viola enthusiasts from around the world. Come see your friends, colleagues, and for mer teachers (!), in addition ro enjoying exciting performances and informative classes. As an added incentive, host Korey Konkol (Professor ofViola at U of M) has announced that the traditional "Concerto Night" will again fea ture an orchestra. Program and registration information is available at the Congress web site, easily reached at www.americanviolasociety.org Of course, you can always call the AVS office at (972) 233-9107 x204 to request application infor mation.

My best wishes for a productive and exciting fal l season. B

Ralph W Fielding President, American Viola Society Faculty, Texas Tech University

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