Posted by Paul W Haugan on February 20, 2003 at 03:16:20:
SAPS, The "SOUSAPHONE ARTISTS PRESERVATION SOCIETY" will hold "THE WORLD SOUSAPHONE COMPETITION" sometime during the week of July 7-13, 2003 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin U.S.A. A distinguished panel of judges chaired by Indiana Emeritus Professor Harvey G. Phillips and comprised of members of the SOUSAPHONE ARTISTS PRESERVATION SOCIETY will determine through a series of playoffs who will hold the title WORLD"S GREATEST SOUSAPHONE ARTIST" a title currently held in trust by SAPS Chief Historian and Editor of THE SAPS BLATT, Paul W Haugan. Haugan, best known as author of his "T.U.B.A. Profile - Arnold M. Jacobs, Tubist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra" (published in the Winter 1977 T.U.B.A. Journal) has been designated an interview Chairman for the collection of data for the SAPS for 30 years, and has submitted material to the T.U.B.A. Journal under a variety of aliases during this period. States Haugan: "The neccessity of secrecy in this orginization has been paramount in it's pursuit of truth, humor and the preservation the anonymity of it's membership....."The SAPS former code of "Know Everyone, No One Knows" has evolved into the motto "We're not afraid to make fun of ourselves, or anyone else". (adopted on Dec. 26,2002 in honor of Wm.J.Bells 100th birthday) Contributers to "THE SAPS BLATT" (internet news source of The SAPS) are welcome; and the SAPS CENTURIANS (first hundred members) are seeking nominations to fill the vacancies left by CENTURIONS who either were unable to name a successor (August Helleberg,William J. Bell, Joe Tarto et al), met an untimely fate (SAPS former Clown Prince, John Fletcher) or left the choice of a successor to the remaining body of it's founders (as in the case of Arnold Jacobs). Memorial Chairholders are at presently being determined and notified by various members within the SAPS orginization, and a concerted effort is being made to contact honorary members who are currently unaware of thier membership before May 1, 2003. The SAPS will open it's membership to the general public on April 1, 2003. Membership inquiries can be made by contacting Paul W. Haugan, or by monitering updates on the SAPS web page, www.sousaphone artists.com - THE BIG SAP - "I know NOTHING..." "Never heard of em" "WHO?"'