Although we have published four issues of Senza Sordino since our last ICSOM Conference, I am disappointed to report that, due to personal commitments, I was unable to publish Volume 44, Number 4 in December 2006.
Apart from that failing, I believe the issues that have gone to print have been high quality and well received, due largely to input from delegates and rank-and-file musicians. The Orchestra Newslets column has been reinstated (my favorite one so far has been the camel story), and many have written interesting articles covering a vast array of topics, from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to audition procedures.
There was one item of note during the year that I mention here because it could influence the future direction of the publication. As one of my unofficial duties I helped set up an automated system as part of a medical research project on sleep disorders of musicians that for the first time in our history used our ICSOM Directory membership list to send out personalized messages to those with listed e-mail addresses. Very few of our musicians complained, and the response that musicians showed was quite amazing.
The Governing Board has always believed, as I still do, that it is important for musicians to receive a printed copy of Senza Sordino—at the workplace if at all possible. This has been the case even though an online version of Senza Sordino has been available to everyone for quite a few years.
In view of the cost of printing and shipping issues, perhaps the time has come to revisit, on a limited basis, whether there might be some amount of distribution that could occur electronically. Some ideas include allowing ICSOM Emeriti to opt for receiving only an electronic version and sending electronic versions (or even just a link to where the online version can be found) to active musicians when their orchestra is out of session. Perhaps, since electronic versions are available, we might even reduce the number of extra copies sent to each orchestra. These measures might realize a significant cost saving without losing the benefit of printed issues.
As always, please continue to remind musicians in your orchestra that their articles and other submissions, and even their ideas for articles, are always welcome. Likewise, please continue to feed items of interest to us either directly or through your Member-at-Large for inclusion in the Orchestra Newslets column. I want to thank everyone who has contributed. Also, please do discuss with me any delivery problems, issues, or preferences.
Richard Levine