WABASH, Ind.—In 2008, something truly distinctive began in a most surprising place. In a small town in rural Indiana, renowned string double bass players gathered for an Institute. At this Institute, esteemed faculty representing the Philadelphia Orchestra, Houston Symphony, and a charismatic co-founder of the “world’s leading ensemble’s, Time For Three worked with nine promising students. Together, their instruments created a delightful sound – albeit a deep, low sound. The “students” were promising players. And many have gone on to exemplary careers playing for The Concertgebouw, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to name a few. The experience is truly special and rather unique for its location – Wabash, Indiana, a town of 10,000. But it’s because of this location that the vision of what is now Wabass Institute was born.
Wabass Institute began as a dream of Artistic Director Ranaan Meyer, Harold Robinson, and Eric Larson. They developed the concept of a full scholarship double bass program. Ranaan shared this dream with his friends Richard Ford and Harry Halloran. Mr. Ford lived in Wabash and had beautiful homes and property there which could easily accommodate nine bassists, three faculty, a pianist, and guest lecturers. The properties provided a quiet respite for the musicians and truly almost a ‘camp-like’ experience. Residents in the small town were thrilled to have the musicians there, but they, too, were a little spoiled. That is, although Wabash is small, it has had the privilege of hosting many outstanding artists over the years due to The Honeywell Foundation which was founded there. When Richard Ford passed away in 2014, he provided funds to help sustain the Wabass Institute and entrusted the Honeywell Foundation to continue the impactful program.
Year upon year, the Wabass Institute provided an amazing opportunity for masters of the double bass to come together and share knowledge. Friendships and bonds were made that continue to this day. Funders from across the country including Carole Hass Gravagno, Dan and Martine Drackett, Sally and Marc Onetto, Michael and Carole Marks, as well as the Marianne Tobias Fund utilize Wabass to illuminate the exciting happenings in Wabash – and ensure that the full scholarship promise continues. As Wabass enters into its 13th year, it now is facing a most formidable foe – COVID-19. In the past twelve years, travel schedules, lost luggage, and the search for funding never stopped the progress of Wabass. But Wabass Institute 2020 appeared a little doubtful due to the coronavirus. How could the special sharing of knowledge take place? Could students even travel to get to Wabash?
Those questions were answered in the innovative way that many have turned to in an era of social distancing, Wabass Institute would be a virtual experience in 2020. Gone would be the park-like setting that the Institute has enjoyed, but with this new experience are new and exciting opportunities.
First, with a virtual experience more impact can be made. Lessons will be conducted via Zoom meetings and participants will have ample time with faculty members. With a virtual setting, classes will be offered throughout the entire month of June instead of just one week.
“We are presented with a fabulous opportunity, to embrace technology and at the same time grow as musicians. Wabass is determined to push the envelope,” says Harold Robinson.
Wabass has had various international students throughout its previous 12 years of existence. This year through a partnership with the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music, a student from the Hangzhou province in China will join the Institute. In total, the virtual experience will allow for more – more lessons, more impact, more sharing of knowledge, more masterwork of the double bass.
“We hope that this is just the beginning,” Ranaan said, “we firmly believe this has the potential to be something really big in the bass world and beyond. What sets us apart is a high level music IT specialist, Brent Edmondson. Brent has not only attended Wabass, he has also been the program director of previous years, a successful bass performer himself so that he is technically proficient in what needs to be done from an acoustical engineering technical stand point.” While online lessons can be found on YouTube – interactive teaching and coaching from masters is not something typical. Wabass Institute plans to change that.
“With so many summer music festivals cancelling their 2020 seasons, musicians are in great need of an opportunity to continue their musical growth and create lasting connections. More so than ever, it’s vital for Wabass to continue our tradition of “Sharing The Knowledge”, even in a virtual setting,” says Eric Larson.
One of the believers in the program, Marianne Tobias, made a gift in early 2020 so that Wabass Institute could be shared with the Marianne Tobias Music Program held at Eskenazi Health’s campus in Indianapolis. At the time of the gift, the idea was that the participants in the Institute would provide a live concert at the facility located nearly two hours away. In a post COVID world, this performance will be not just virtual – but customized so that it is live-streamed into patient rooms of the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital.
“We have long known of the healing impact of music,” says Diana Ortega, Marianne Tobias Music Lead and Special Assistant to Matthew R. Gutwein, President and CEO of Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County (which operates Eskenazi Health), “it not only uplifts our patients, but our staff as well. And this is more important than ever.”
“We will certainly miss having Wabass in Wabash this year,” said Tod Minnich, CEO of the Honeywell Foundation, “but we are excited of the new possibilities a virtual Wabass presents and sharing this amazing program to a larger audience.”
While it may be some time before the beautiful orchestras in the world will be able to perform to devoted audiences; those audiences can rest assured knowing the next generation of brilliant bassists are getting primed to provide the foundation of those wonderful sounds.
For Wabass inquiries, email Wabass Institute at wabass@honeywellfoundation.org.
For all media inquiries, contact Morgan Ellis at mellis@HoneywellFoundation.org or by calling 260.274.1429.