With the double bass reaching new heights of performance mastery, the International Society of Bassists launched a biennial competition in 2003 to inspire the creation of outstanding new concert-quality instruments. The 2009 ISB Makers Competition took place at Penn State University’s Pasquerilla Center in State College, Pennsylvania.
Chairing the competition for the fourth consecutive time was Dustin Art Williams, a graduate of the Violin Making School of America and owner of Williams Fine Violins & Luthier Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.
Sponsors of the 2009 ISB Maker's Competition were Robertson & Sons Violin Ship, Inc. (www.robertsonviolins.com) and Mooradian Cover Company (www.mooradian.com).
Double basses entered in the competition were completed after June, 2007. The identities of the instrument makers were withheld from the judges by covering up any labels, brands, or stamped marks. Once the instruments were entered into the contest, each was given a randomly assigned number to insure impartiality. Judges were instructed to identify those double basses having the greatest artistic merit, technical execution, tone quality, and ease of playing.
Workmanship
Double bass judging consisted of two quite different but very important factors: workmanship and tone. Workmanship judges for 2009 were highly respected and experienced professional luthiers employed full time in the making, repairing, and restoration of violin family instruments. The panel included Amos Hargrave from Lawrence, Kansas, chair; Boyd Poulsen from Sandia Park, New Mexico; and Christopher Germain from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In the evaluation round, each instrument was evaluated by each workmanship judge independently and without discussion with the other judges. Any instruments that received a recommendation to advance to the medal round from at least one judge were considered for a Certificate of Workmanship. In the medal round, those instruments that were recommended for a Certificate were then reviewed by all judges. Any instruments which received a unanimous vote for superior workmanship were awarded a Silver Medal, the highest award possible for workmanship. Instruments were evaluated in six different workmanship categories: setup, varnish, modeling, scroll, construction and overall impression on the judge.
Out of a record 21 entries, six received awards for workmanship. Those who won a Certificate of Workmanship were Sergio Scaramelli of Ferrara, Italy; David Yorgason of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Guy Cole of Arlington, Texas.
Silver Medal workmanship winners were William Lakeberg from Fort Wright, Kentucky; Daniel Hachez from Tijeras, New Mexico; and Mario Lamarre from Montreal, Canada.
Tone Judging
The other half of the double bass instrument judging process was a thorough evaluation of each instrument’s tone. The three tone judges represented the highest standards and diverse musical styles found in double bass performance today: Catalin Rotaru is an award winning soloist originally from Romania and professor of double bass at Arizona State University; Michael Cameron is professor of double bass and coordinator of graduate studies at the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign, and is an author and publisher. New York-based jazz bassist Phil Palombi is co-leader of the trio Tri-Fi and performs regularly with the Village Vanguard Orchestra.
Judging each instrument’s tone and playability, all three judges played and evaluated each instrument for concert quality, exceptional tone and ease of play. Those selected for a Certificate of Tone were then considered for a Silver Medal, the highest possible award for tone.
Out of the 21 entrants, six received awards for tone. Those who won a Certificate of Tone were Gianfranco Fiorini from Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Thomas Wolf from The Plains, Virginia; and Anton Krutz from Merriam, Kansas. Silver Medal Tone winners were Seth Kimmel from Eugene, Oregon; Eric Roy from Warwick, Rhode Island; and Nick Lloyd from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Gold Medal Winner
For an instrument to receive the coveted Gold Medal, it must have been recommended by all judges for a Silver Medal in both the workmanship and tone categories. In the history of the ISB Makers Competition there have been only two Gold Medals awarded. There was no Gold Medal winner for 2009.
Convention Favorite Awards
After the workmanship and tone judging was completed during the first day of the ISB convention, the instruments were available for public viewing. Convention attendees were encouraged to cast a vote for their favorite double bass using any criteria for their selection. A Convention Favorite award was given to the double bass earning the most votes.
Winner of the Convention Favorite Award was Mario Lamarre of Montreal, Canada. It was his third consecutive win in that category. Convention Favorite honorable mentions went to Arnold Schnitzer of Brewster, New York; William Lakeberg of Fort Wright, Kentucky; and Nick Lloyd of Cincinnati, Ohio.
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The International Society of Bassists was founded by the world-renowned virtuoso Gary Karr in 1967. With some 3,000 members in over 40 countries, the ISB is dedicated to inspiring public interest, raising performance standards, and providing an organization for those who teach, study, play, repair, build, research and enjoy the double bass. The ISB is a forum for communication among bassists throughout the world and across a wide variety of musical styles. Members receive the triannual journal, Bass World, and a monthly e-newsletter. Every two years the ISB holds an international convention, double bass competition and makers’competition at a host university, as well as a biennial composition contest in alternating years. For information about the ISB and its activities, visit www.ISBworldoffice.com.
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