JAVS Spring 2007

effect a mini congress and my congrat ulations go out to you all! I was sur prised at how many BRATS events had raken place and was energized with their stories and sense ofaccom plishment. These events couldn't have raken place without many other volun teers in the communiry and the viola chapters who supponed them and we send our a special thank-you to all for continuing ro champion the cause! Don't forger - if you wanr to have a BRATS day in your area, the AVS can supply funding. Just go ro the web site for more information and an applica tion form. lf you gave a BRAT event please write ro us and send a picrure so we can include your story in our grass roots section. We are so proud ofyour accomplishments in the chapters! I wanr to also remind you of the exciting viola congresses coming up. Later this year ar the end ofJune, the next International Viola Congress will be held in Adelaide, Australia and for those of you who have nor been, Adelaide is a wonderful ciry with great weather and lots ro see and do! This might just be the year ro rake that trip to Australia that you have always wanted and catch a little of the world's best at the viola con gress! For more information please go ro http://www.plevin.com.aulvio lacongress2007/welcome. hrm. Just in case you want ro plan ahead, the next Nonh American International Viola Congress will take place at ASU in Phoenix, Arizona. ASU has

tremendous facilities and we are loolcing forward to hearing more abour it from the host, Nancy Buck in due course. We are accepting pro posals right now for the 2010 con gress. If you or your place ofwork are interested, please write directly ro me at hcallus@music.ucsb.edu. We have starred ro offer more resources ar the AVS and if you visit the web sire be sure ro look around and rake a look. We have a new sec tion on viola orchestra positions and don't forger to visit Marketplace ro check our all those new viola record ings! You could also starr a student chapter and be eligible for a sran up gram ro host a masrerclass or per haps even a BRAT day! We have had a number of prestigious arrisrs join the viola sociery this year and some significant donations. Even so, we are worlcing very hard ro ensure the financial future of the AV and if you feel you might be able ro contribute anything by dona tion we would guaranree ir will be pur ro good use in any number of our new programs. Look our for a fundraising drive lerrer coming soon!

I have just returned from a wonder ful visir ro the ASTA national con ference in Detroit. The AVS now has a regular annual booth at the evem and ir is one of the best ways for my colleagues and I ar the American Viola Sociery ro meet new members and ralk with our currem affiliates. There was a wonderful exchanging of ideas, which has inspired us ro create more resources for our reach ers and the entire event gave us a sense of camaraderie I would be hard pressed ro find anywhere else. The most exciting news was that I met several members who had already pur the BRATS program into use and had held a BRATS Viola Day in their communiry. These events range from 30 viola srudent registrants w over a hundred and have raken place all over the councry from South Carolina - with Constance Gee at the helm ro illinois with Katherine Lewis to Los Angeles with Gina Coletti as the host. AU these hosts have put on what is in

Besr wishes for a wonderful spring wherever you are! r

Helen Callus Presidenr, AVS

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