ITEA Journal Volume 49 Number 3 (Spring 2022)
Survey of ITEA Membership:
By Matthew Shipes
Editor’s Note: Earlier this year, all ITEA members were invited to participate in a membership survey to continue to improve our International Tuba and Euphonium Association. The survey asked questions regarding the benefits of membership, the content of the Journal, ITEC and Regional Conferences, and the ITEA’s efforts to improve the environment of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging within the organization and community. Thank you to Matt Shipes for his diligent work in creating the survey and collecting answers from our membership.
Why did you join ITEA?
These answers listed below were common responses out of the 364 recorded answers:
- Would like to know what is happening in tuba/euphonium world
- Attend conferences and participate in competitions
- Promote and support tuba/euphonium musicians
- Learn how to become a better player
- Share opportunities with young people
- Use resources to help refine my playing
- Want to support organization
- Stay current with news
- Read articles on a variety of topics
- Keep up with new compositions
- Access instrument specific knowledge and resources
- Joined when I saw women had an important role
- Want to be included in international community of tubists/euphoniumists
- I was selected as composer friend
- My professor made me :)
- Reading the Journal
- Professional Networking
- To support the organization/profession
- See world class performances
- To attend events with family member who is involved in ITEA
- Received an application at TubaChristmas
If you are not currently a member of ITEA, what would encourage you to join or renew?
These answers listed below were common responses out of the 74 recorded answers:
- If it was more involved in Europe
- More online activities
- Access to virtual lessons and more pedagogical materials
- Articles on techniques
- Increased commitment to enthusiasts
- A “good” special price for retired/seniors
- Virtual masterclass series
- Maintaining momentum after great events/conferences - until the next one
- More content for composers and musicologists
- Another good ITEC
- Stronger representation of euphonium pedagogy, materials, etc.
What additional activities would you like to see ITEA do?
These answers listed below were common responses out of the 154 recorded answers:
- Intentional outreach to school-age students and organizations that work with them
- Recording projects
- Less focus on college/professional recruitment and events
- More focus on amateur players and community events
- Medicine/health in tuba/brass playing
- Use technology to offer real time content - like streaming events, reporting, etc.
- Horn buying workshop
- Options for virtual conference attendance
- “Readers write” section in the journal
- Commission new music
- Long-term goals on how to grow membership, for example, offer free membership to high school students
- More regional activities
- More activity on YouTube channel
- Recruiting videos for beginners
- More national press on a regular basis
- Educational outreach, more events that are education focused
- International involvement - China and Europe are mentioned
- More non-standard/poplar music
- Regional playing opportunities
- GEM publications
- More emphasis on and attention paid to the endowment
- Commissions by diverse composers
- Information about instrument repair
- More video content online and on social media
- Include peer-reviewed processes for conference presenter selection
What other topics would you like the Journal to include?
These answers listed below were common responses out of the 95 recorded answers:
- Chapter Highlights
- Spotlights on projects or people doing good things in tuba/euphonium world
- More articles about amateur players and relevant events, amateur opportunities
- Instructional intermediate materials
- History
- Instrument technology
- Nationwide opportunities, especially summer programs/festivals
- Advice column
- Section on new premieres/compositions
- Recruitment, retention, studio development
- Health and tuba playing
- Non-traditional players/styles
- Arranging for tuba euphonium ensembles
- Personal interviews and member experiences
- Used instrument marketplace
- Maintenance/instrument rebuilds
- Product reviews
- Pedagogy in the 21st century
- Marketing/resume guidance
- Career paths other than professor, orchestra, military
- Content that is presented in the Journal and expanded online
- New faces
What is important to you if you should decide to donate money?
These answers listed below were common responses out of the 139 recorded answers:
- What the money is used for - most common answer
- Reports on how money is spent
- Follow up with ITEA plans of increasing and diversifying our membership
- Option to sponsor entry fees/scholarships/membership dues for others
- Commissions for new works
- Helping to build the endowment
- Euphonium resources
- Instrument fund for others
- Donations towards specific programs, not general funds
- Information about our greatest needs for funding
- Education in underprivileged and remote areas
Do you have any other comments about ITEA conferences?
These answers listed below were common responses out of the 46 recorded answers:
- Consider different dates, teachers cannot get time off (usually primary/secondary school)
- What is the mission statement for these conferences - to promote instruments and current research, or provide a space for professors to present to achieve tenure?
- More jazz
- More virtual content in conjunction with conferences
- Consider ITEC frequency - two regional years (regular then super-regional)
- Community outreach in conjunction with conferences
- More innovative and unique content
- Think about creating workshops specifically for beginners, amateur players
- Continue to diversity performers and presenters
- Feature more regional professionals - regional orchestras, regional military bands
- Reading Sessions
What changes or areas of improvement would you like to see from ITEA relating to DEIB?
These answers listed below were common responses out of the 89 recorded answers:
- Focus on different types of players and ensemble, for example - banda, community wind bands, tuba/euphonium in popular music, world music. With that, show players from more musical styles represented at ITECs.
- Consider these elements of DEIB each time there is a committee opening, new work considered, and event planned
- More women and POC serving ITEA publicly both as presenters/performers and administrators, even if that means elevating some younger but successful players sooner
- Accessibility and education at an early age in underserved communities
- More diverse presenters, artists, compositions, etc.
- Avoiding hosting events on weekends, this prevents practicing Jewish and Christian members from attending in some cases
- Encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply to present/perform at conferences
- Be transparent, show actions stemming from this process
- Public DEIB statement
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