International Meeting on Music Braille
                            by Bettye Krolick
                                
As the compiler of the New International Manual of Braille Music Notation, I was given the
opportunity to attend "Music and Braille," an International Exhibition on the New Technologies
for Braille Music, held in Madrid, Spain, June 20-21, this summer. Although there were many
announcements about the event in advance, there were also many questions. What organization is
involved, who will be there, what will be going on? Several countries chose not to attend because
a well-known organization was not involved.

I am pleased to report that a small group from Italy took it into their own hands to obtain the
sponsorship of ONCE, the Spanish organization for the visually impaired. The meeting was
welcomed by Mr. Jose Luis F. Coya, Director of CIDAT. The Italian who organized the meeting
was Mr Giuseppe, Nicotra.

Presenters at the meeting were from England, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Russia, and
the U.S. Other countries were represented in the 80 people who registered as attendees. After my
opening with "An Overview of the Preparation of Braille Music" each of the specialists in the
various fields of programming, archiviation, usage, and even the problems of copyright for music
were given half an hour to speak and to have the use of a huge computer display screen. Periods
of time were also provided for discussion and questions. These periods were extremely rich with
suggestions to improve the international manual, exchanges of information about details such as
XML, and all angles involved in producing music for the blind.

The original plan for the meeting stated that there would be demonstrations of the new programs
going on at all hours, and that room would be provided for these demonstrations. Unfortunately,
that part of the meeting did not happen. Apparently some one decided the wide screens with a
half-hour explanation by each presenter would be more useful given the size of the group. The
number of presentations and the eager use of the "discussion and question" periods filled both
days completely. That was a weakness that could only have been corrected by giving us two more
days of time. Every moment was full.

A quick summary of the programs from my view: lots of variety including sound as well as braille;
lots of possibilities in the works but few new programs actually finished and on the market; 
Dancing Dots stands up very strong in comparison to others; the conversion from Finale to braille
is breathtaking, but it must be used as an ad-in, and is not yet finished. In my opinion the need for
buying the  Finale program plus the braille program will affect its sale to individuals.

Hats off to Italy!  Without any of the usual connections, they gathered an impressive group of
experts. Listening to the use being made of the international manual in so many countries, the
enthusiasm of both programmers and users, plus the constant interactions between countries was
music to the ears.