Bassists from around the world visited Tallahassee this month for the International Society of Bassists (ISB) Convention, a week of concerts, seminars, workshops and discussions devoted to the double bass - including a collaborative project to build a double bass in a week.
Held June 2-7, the event brought more than 1,000 attendees from around the world to FSU's campus.
A standout feature of the convention was the Build-a-Bass Project, a weeklong initiative where luthiers - craftspeople who build and repair string instruments - and music enthusiasts collaborated to construct a double bass on site. The project offered a rare, hands-on opportunity to observe and participate in the intricate process of instrument making.
"Traditionally, luthiers work in isolation within their workshops, but this convention fosters collaboration, bringing together master luthiers and young enthusiasts to build a bass in just one week," said Sandor Ostlund, professor of double bass at Baylor University and ISB president-elect. "We saw the collaborative spirit across the board at FSU. We were struck by the generosity of their faculty and staff and their willingness to step in."
The Build-a-Bass initiative was a collaboration between FSU's College of Music and the Department of Art, part of the College of Fine Arts. The FSU Sculpture Lab served as the workspace for the luthiers, with Kevin Curry, assistant professor and area head of sculpture and electronic art, and Chris Rivera, studio equipment manager, facilitating the partnership.
"Universities, and the colleges within them, often operate in silos, but breaking down those barriers benefits everyone," said Jeff Beekman, chair of the Department of Art. "Cross-pollination generates excitement and fosters growth for students, faculty, staff, programs and even the professions we represent."
Building a bass is a meticulous process. Most luthiers complete only about four high-quality instruments per year. During the convention, teams worked in tandem to shape, glue, bend and varnish the instrument's components, completing the bass just minutes before it was presented on stage and played by Dennis Whittaker, principal bassist of the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra.
Master luthier Paul Hart from Mt. Pleasant, Utah, led the project, working with a team of 25 contributors, including Zoe McCadams, Matthew Estlack, Christy Oliver, Sam Morel, Jonathan and Samantha Crane, Grace Richardson, Dustin Williams, Gian Pangaro, Chris and Jack from Upton Basses and others.
"I feel privileged to have been part of the Build-a-Bass Project at FSU," Hart said. "The support of the university was incredible. It was a wonderful week with approximately 25 luthiers involved, as well as others who just wanted to try a few things or watch us using tools most woodworkers have no experience with."
The ISB held a sweepstakes to win the bass and raised more than $23,000 to support ISB's educational outreach, scholarships and luthier training programs.
Founded in 1967 by world-renowned virtuoso Gary Karr, the ISB is a global membership organization that promotes double bass awareness through education, performance, community and media. It has nearly 3,000 members in more than 40 countries.
"We are proud to have hosted the ISB Convention and look forward to future collaborations," said Rodney Jordan, FSU professor of jazz bass and coordinator of jazz and commercial music. "This event highlighted the incredible resources and talent at FSU."
George Speed, FSU associate professor of double bass, added: "As an FSU professor, the whole convention gave me enormous pride in the university. Seeing our colleagues in fine arts step up and say, 'We'd be thrilled to have you use the space,' was just part of what I think was a wonderful team effort. Hosting the convention and building a bass was a perfect illustration of that collaborative spirit."
