I'm very glad this thread is going.  I've always wanted to state
why I resigned AMICA.  I do not recall the year, but we planned on
attending the national convention in the year that featured Max
Morath playing the piano in concert.  I was told by AMICA "brass"
at the time, that I had to find a babysitter for my young son, Ben,
because children were not allowed at the concert.

Not only did I find this unfair, but I had no intentions of hiring
a babysitter in an unknown town.  When I inquired about this, it
was a "take it or leave it" response, so I chose the latter.

Ben had played in my piano shop all his life and I had promised him
that I would take him.  I found this very disappointing, and I felt
that it was very inappropriate to exclude children, as long as they
were well-behaved.  I once had the pleasure as a child of watching the
late Victor Borge perform and it left a very lasting impression on me.
I wanted a similar experience for Ben.

I never received any inquires as to why I left.  I feel very strongly
that if we do not include and attempt to interest the children, any
club or organization will eventually die.

Andy Taylor