53rd Annual IDRS Conference
Northern Arizona University
Kitt School of Music
July 21-25, 2024E
Growth
Questions?
Email: idrs@nau.edu
FAQs
- Where can I park?
If you did not sign up for a parking pass on the Conference website, you can still purchase a pass directly from Parking Services by using the ParkMobile app or from one of the Kiosks located around the University when you drive onto campus (use the one right across from P13). We recommend parking in Lot P13 next to the Performing & Fine Arts Building and across the street from the University Union. (FYI the front row of parking is for employees only – see signs). For the Kiosk, you do not need a code and you can buy multiple days at a time. For the ParkMobile App, follow the instructions below.
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​Make sure that you always park with your front bumper facing into the spot and not facing out - you will be ticketed you if you park facing out of the space. You can always park in the nearby garage, but if you do not sign up through Parking Services in advance, you will be charged each time that you exit.
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- Water, Water, Water!
Drink water all the time. Fortunately, the water in Flagstaff is excellent - but if you want there is a water purifying dispenser in the Performing & Fine Arts Building around corner and down the hall from the Kitt Recital Hall. There is also one across from the Hot Spot in the University Union.
- How is the weather?
This is monsoon season (we know that sounds strange in the desert). We often get rain in the afternoon and/or evening. Usually, rain will come down very hard for a short period of time and the temperatures drops 20-30 degrees F. We recommend bringing an umbrella or a rain slicker. Temperatures in Flagstaff vary by 30-40 degrees F between daylight and nighttime. First thing in the morning it can be 55 degrees F or less, and during the day low 80’s are most common. Check a weather app in advance of your travel.
- Can I purchase additional tickets for performances?
Additional tickets for Conference can be purchased for non-Conference registrants at: https://nautickets.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx
Individual Evening Gala tickets are available for $30 per person per concert. There are also a variety of Conference ticketing packages available.
- What should I wear?
Summer casual dress is fine. Do keep in mind that you should dress in layers, since mornings can be cool in Flagstaff and the Conference spaces are air conditioned.
- Altitude - How will the altitude affect me?
Slow down and allow extra time to transit between events, especially when going up stairs. You may be more tired, but that usually goes away after 48 hours. Most people find that they sleep very well here.
Use sunscreen and/or a hat – the sun at altitude is more intense.
- Where do I go for the conference and where are the exhibitors?
All Conference events occur in Northern Arizona University’s Performing & Fine Arts Building (Buildings 37 and 37A). The Exhibitors can be found across the across the street from the Performing & Fine Arts Building in the University Union (Building 30 A,B,C,D). The Reception on Tuesday evening is in Ashurst Hall (Building 11). Map and Guide
- How do I get around Flagstaff?
The dorms and most of the hotels are withing walking distance. Uber, Lift and taxis are available. When traveling off campus you could check the Mountain Line bus system - they come close but not directly on campus: https://mountainline.az.gov/
Campus buses only run from 7:30AM until 5:00PM every half hour on weekdays during the summer. To track the University buses:
https://in.nau.edu/university-transit-services/Shuttle-Information/
- Are oboe reeds affected by the altitude?
Generally, reeds change just like your body does. It takes 48 hours for your hemoglobin to adjust to the change in oxygen levels and reeds do the same thing. If you cannot get to the conference a couple of days before your performance, then bring a variety of reeds. Becky Scarnati finds that oboe reeds that are a little too open to be comfortable when she is at sea level and normal humidity, are great in Flagstaff at altitude and with low humidity. If you do have a couple of days, try to resist scraping all your reeds right away. Change a couple at a time.
- How about bassoon reeds?
Advice from Bradley Johnson - I find that reeds that are ‘over scraped’ in southern Arizona, meaning my E3 sags to an E flat, work well in Flagstaff. Any reed that I take from Phoenix has to be scraped down a bit to free up once again. Old reeds also seem to work with the elevation change. I usually keep the rails thicker for high elevation as well.
- Where do I eat?
On campus there is the Hot Spot, an all-you-can-eat area in the University Union (this is part of the dorm meals, but anyone can pay at the door.) There is an Einstein Bagels just beside the Exhibitor area and there is also a Starbucks just outside the University Union, go out the doors beside the Hot Spot.
There are many fast food and restaurants located on Milton Avenue, a block from the University.
Oscar’s Burrito Fiesta is only a couple of blocks away and a local favorite. On Milton Avenue right across the street from the Embassy Suites is the Himalayan Grill (Nepalese) which has a buffet at lunch and a wonderful open menu in the evening (it is closed on Tuesdays and this is where Bernie Sanders eats when he comes to Flagstaff). For sushi, Hiro’s is only a couple of blocks away; Little Thai Kitchen one block away (this is a very small restaurant), and Hot Wok has very authentic Szechwan cuisine. For sub sandwiches give Crystal Creek a try and if you cannot live without a burger and fried potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, or onion rings then Bun Hungers is your place. Need a beer? - Grand Canyon Brewing Company is 3 blocks from the Kitt School of Music. There are also many fast-food restaurants found along Milton Avenue.
There are excellent restaurants downtown (15-minute walk) and, yes, Guy Fieri has a couple of local favorites, but you will need a car to get to those (Salsa Brava and Brandy’s). The chef at Foret Flg serving breakfast and lunch was just a James Bread award finalist. If you have time, make sure you go to breakfast or lunch at Martanne’s and if you are not a vegetarian and are okay mild heat get the Chilaquiles Fratelli style - it’s ambrosia. The list of great restaurants, pizza shops, coffee houses and breweries could go on for days. There are wonderful Thai and sushi restaurants along with fine dining in the downtown area.
Recitals​​​
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More than 120 recitals have been scheduled!
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​Lectures​​
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Over 40 lectures and 7 workshops are scheduled ranging topics such as reeds, performance practice, healthy playing, exhibitors, aging, and many more!
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Masterclasses​​​
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Professional players and teachers are encouraged to submit proposals to facilitating masterclasses.
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Gala Concerts
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​Enjoy concerts every evening in Ardrey Auditorium on NAU's Mountain Campus​
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Baroque Band
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The traditional 2024 IDRS Baroque Band will continue to bring ceremonial and festive flair to each evening, opening the gala concerts for our featured performers. The IDRS Baroque Band models itself on the great wind bands of the 17th and 18th centuries, and is sure to delight professional musicians and students alike. The IDRS Baroque Band was officially established in 2022 as an annual conference activity. Any IDRS member may join.
Recitals
Lectures
Reading Groups
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Join one or more of the informal sight-reading sessions that have been a regular part of the IDRS Conference since 1999.
These sessions are designed to be enjoyable and approachable, yet challenging enough to be musically satisfying.
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Works of varying difficulties will be chosen from the conference library, featuring over 900 double reed works for almost every combination of double reed instruments.
There will be many reading sessions scheduled throughout the conference.
​Fernand Gillet-Hugo Fox International Competition​​
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Those who will be 31 years old or younger by the date of the final round of the competition are encouraged to apply.
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​This award is dedicated to the memory of the late master oboist and honorary member of the IDRS, Fernand Gillet, and to the memory of master bassoonist Hugo Fox, principal bassoonist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1922-1949
Competitions
For more information on the competitions Click Here
Norma Hooks Young Artists International Competition​​​
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Those who will be 21 years of age or younger by the date of the final round of the competition. are encouraged to apply.
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Dedicated to the memory of Norma Hooks, IDRS honorary member and lifeblood of our organization with her tireless dedication to our membership, annual conferences, and Executive Committee meetings.