Inspire, Educate, Connect
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About the International Society of Bassists
The ISB was founded by the world-renowned virtuoso Gary Karr in 1967. With some 3,000 members in over 40 countries, the ISB is an organization for those who teach, study, play, repair, build and enjoy the double bass. The ISB is a forum for communication among bassists throughout the world and across a wide variety of musical styles. Members receive our journal, Bass World, three times per year and are the first to receive email communications regarding upcoming events, bass news, and more. Every two years the ISB holds an international convention and double bass competition, a composition contest, and now, a makers competition. If you love the double bass, become a member of the International Society of Bassists today!
Project 80/90 Is Back!
Our ISB founder, the legendary soloist and educator Gary Karr, turns 80 years young this year, and shares a birthday year with France's virtuoso Francois Rabbath, who recently turned 90. Together, Gary & Francois founded Project 80/90 in 2020 to raise money that delivered over sixty $500 grants for bassists in need due to the continuing global pandemic.
Now, thanks to an unprecedented gift of $50,000 from Gary Karr, we are reopening Project 80/90 grant applications, as it is Gary's wish that the ISB assist as many bassists in need as possible. Truly, it's your ISB at its best
Membership
As an ISB member, you are helping to build a worldwide double bass community that connects people, music and ideas every day, in new and often unexpected ways. Member benefits include . . .
2021 Convention
The 2021 ISB convention is going online!
Keep your calendars marked for June 7-12, 2021, and watch this space and your email inbox for more news!
Sign Up to Stay in Touch!
Want to stay in touch with ISB? Tell us if you want to receive regular communications about events, ways to connect, special opportunities, Monday's "Bass Stuff" emails, and more.
Make a Donation
If you love the double bass and benefit from the many ways the ISB brings the worldwide double bass community together, then we need your support!
Store / Rental Library
Members sell their CDs, composition, books, DVDs and other merchandise online at the ISB Store, including the Gary Karr Online Store and new ISB/Gary Karr Rental Library of full and string orchestra scores and parts.
Directories
Members can be listed in our Teacher and Luthier directories. Looking for an instructor? Looking for a studio or shop that does repairs or sells instruments and accessories? Search for teachers or luthiers by name or location.
Bass Insurance
ISB members in good standing are eligible for a group rate on instrument insurance from Anderson Musical Instrument Insurance Solutions, LLC.
Resource Library
ISB Members may browse through 40+ years of publications and learn more about the double bass's history and future in the George Vance Online Resource Library.