Donor Stories
A CMS Journey
David Willoughby
The College Music Society is an organization that helps a person like me find oneself as a professional—that is, by helping one find that comfortable niche (not necessarily an easy niche) for becoming most productive, not only locally but with the capacity to become significantly productive beyond one's primary employment.
To give financial support through the CMS Fund or in some other way is a symbol of my saying that CMS is a worthwhile organization that is and has been of significant importance both professionally and personally and definitely worthy of financial support.
Prior to CMS, I was a music educator—a member of MENC committed to teacher training. Then I received a call from Phil Rhodes, a future President of CMS, asking me to run for election to the CMS Council. I said yes to Phil. I was elected and my professional life changed forever. CMS was to become the most important influence in my professional life.
This included election as Board member for Music for General Studies (MGS), Director of the 1981 Wingspread Conference of Music in General Studies, Director of four summer MGS workshops at the University of Colorado. My CMS experiences then led to the Presidency of CMS and then Editor of the CMS Newsletter—a position I held for nine years.
That's my specific CMS journey, but much more has contributed to my considering CMS a significant musical and educational organization.
CMS has not been static in its philosophy and its programs. Its purpose has been fluid with a significant capacity for building on the past as it prepares for the future.
To take the perhaps unusual step in concluding this piece, I quote from my final "Message from the President," as presented in the May 1988 Newsletter:
"I trust that the accomplishments of the Society during my term will prove to be additional building blocks upon which future leadership will be able to build substantially and effectively. It is my hope, then and now, that the Society produces programs and activities that (1) manifest continuity yet build for the future and (2) that are responsive to immediate needs in the profession yet provoke and challenge long-held assumptions." These statements reflect my thoughts at that time and fundamentally describe today the core values and practices of The College Music Society.
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