David Willoughby
I have assumed the Presidency of a professional organization—The College Music Society—that is alive, well, and growing in size and stature. In the past five years, CMS has revamped its constitution, strengthened its management policies, and expanded its services to the profession. During this time, it has increased its membership by 25% and its operation budget by 27%.
CMS has made strong statements to the profession about curriculum reform, particularly in what we now know as Music in General Studies, and it is continuing to establish formats for dialog about important issues relevant to music in higher education. It has created an innovative annual meeting concept unique in the profession; these conferences, stressing the culture and indigenous music of the region in which they are held, are informative, stimulating, and enjoyable.
And CMS has established a network of regional chapters that has strengthened the Society; these chapters help to shape the priorities and philosophical directions of its national programs and cultivate new leadership for the Society.
These significant achievements have come about because of the enlightened leadership of the Society and the support of its members. CMS has benefited from a series of excellent administrations that believed in the capacity of the Society to serve the profession in innovative yet substantial ways. The office support through Robby Gunstream and his excellent staff has been invaluable to the progress that has been made.
We will continue to move ahead, to strengthen that which has begun, and to be responsive to the membership and the profession. We will continue to provide activities and programs that capitalize on the strengths of the Society; we are an umbrella organization who, through our interdisciplinary structure, can address the broader interests and issues of college music teachers.
I wish to express, on behalf of the membership, our warmest appreciation to the Officers and Board members whose terms have just ended: John Seuss, Vice-President; Barbara Noel, Treasurer; Richmond Browne, Board member for Theory; William Maim, Board member for Ethnomusicology; and Frank Tirro, Board member for Musicology. I am personally appreciative of the efforts, con¬tributions, and wise counsel of Immediate Past President Phillip Rhodes.
Finally, I am grateful for the confidence the Society has shown in me and wish to assure the membership that I will do my utmost, with the help of the Officers and the Board, to make the next two years productive ones for the Society. Please offer suggestions; let your wishes or concerns be known.
