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Special Project Recipients for 2009 

Alabama ASTA Honors Orchestra Festival
Alabama ASTA
Daniel Hornstein, Chapter President

“Alabama ASTA Honors Orchestra Festival” will provide high quality musical experiences for participating students, as well as the opportunity for professional growth by the chapter’s 75 members.  In a state with very few string programs, this opportunity to play in a full-sized orchestra under nationally-recognized guest conductors will be a thrill for these young musicians.  The Festival should also encourage students to spread the excitement of participation in their home communities, and provide chapter members an opportunity for professional development.

NYASTA in November:  Workshops Upstate and Downstate
New York ASTA
Jackie Darville, Chapter President

“NYASTA in November:  Workshops Upstate and Downstate” will take place over two Saturdays, and feature both an Alternative Strings Day and a CelloFest.  This project is aimed at providing opportunities for ASTA members to refine their teaching technique and obtain new instructional ideas.  The workshops should also provide an opportunity for students of ASTA members to learn and grow, as well as providing greater visibility for New York ASTA.

Fall Workshop 2009
ASTA Arizona
Janice McDivitt, Chapter President

ASTA Arizona’s “Fall Workshop 2009” will feature no registration fee and a half-price lunch fee for 20 participating student chapter members with funding from this year’s Special Projects Grant.  Through this effort, the chapter hopes to encourage student chapter members and young string teachers in the development of their careers.  The Fall Workshop will feature clinician Dr. Stephen Benham. An additional spring 2010 master class/teaching seminar will be led by ASTA President Jeff Solow.

PADESTA 2009-2010 Regional Workshop Initiative
Pennsylvania-Delaware String Teachers Association
Stephen Benham, Chapter President

This grant will support the development of regular, annual workshops that focus specifically on the needs of string teachers, reaching a broader base of teachers across the Pennsylvania-Delaware area.  The long-term goal is the establishment of annual regional workshops in the three primary regions of Pennsylvania – Western (Pittsburgh-Erie corridor), Center (Harrisburg, Altoona, State College corridor), and Eastern (Philadelphia-Scranton corridor).  The chapter also hopes to increase their visibility and membership through these increased professional development opportunities.

Richard Meyer Commission for the 7th and 8th Grade 2010 All-State Orchestra
Florida ASTA
Nancy Beebe, Chapter President

Florida ASTA has contracted with composer Richard Meyer for a Spanish Piece to be debuted by our 7th and 8th grade All-State String Orchestra during the Florida Music Educators Association’s Conference in 2010. Through this sponsorship, the chapter hopes to increase their visibility to teachers, students and guests at the Conference, as well as provide young musicians the opportunity to hear and play new music. 

ASTA’s Special Project Grants, through the ASTA Foundation, provide financial assistance to projects designed at the state chapter level.  Funding is available to projects that advance the ASTA mission and increase the strength, visibility and activities of a state chapter.  Special thanks to this year’s grant evaluation committee – Chair Kirk Moss, and committee members Nancy Bargerstock and Barbara Eads.  Deadline for next year’s grants is June 1, 2010.  See the ASTA website for more information, or contact Deb Bissen, Foundation and Advocacy Coordinator, at deb@astaweb.com.

 

Recipients 2008

Alaska Chapter of ASTA: Operation Amy
The Kodiak Youth Orchestra (KYO) has searched for two years for a string teacher who would live on Kodiak, a remote island, and teach strings to students of any age. A bulletin was put out that garnered three responses. That led to the wonderful Heidi Senungetuk coming to Kodiak six times (700 miles round trip) to give lessons to our aspiring string players. Unfortunately, she was not able to move to Kodiak and commit full time. Another bulletin was posted and Amy Peterson of Augusta, Maine came in September. She worked with our musicians and is ready to relocate. A friend of KYO is renting her house to Amy for half of what she would normally charge. Kodiak families are signing up to chop and haul wood for Amy as she will not be able to afford much fuel on a lesson salary. Even with the help of generous Kodiak community, it will be a financial set back to move to Kodiak.  Having a private violin/viola teacher available for weekly private and group lessons will greatly enhance the playing abilities of the individual students as well as their musical experience in any ensemble. Auditioning for the National High School Honors Orchestra is now a goal for many of the KYO string players who traveled to Albuquerque and performed in the National Orchestra Festival. With a private teacher that dream will become an accomplishment.

Alabama Chapter of ASTA: Honor Strings Festival
The project will provide high quality musical experiences for our students and professional growth for our 75 members. The benefits to students are significant – many have never played in groups and most have played only in small groups. They return home with new motivation and share that excitement with others in their schools and communities. Teachers have the opportunities to observe top clinician/conductors and to present sessions to students themselves (scales, sectionals, music games). Working together builds relationships and encourages continued communication.  Another goal is to increase our membership. Prior to the 2007 Honor Strings Festival, we gained three new members since they had to join ASTA to enter their students. We are convinced that people want to join an association with vibrant activities and our desire is to bring our festival to a higher level this fall within our limited budget.

New Jersey Chapter of ASTA: Certificate Program for Strings Workshop
The goal is to increase interest and participation in ASTA/NJ CPS examinations.  Although ASTA/NJ hosts several examinations every year, more teachers could become involved if they had an opportunity to see how the program works. It is projected that a one day detailed orientation to the program and a walk through demonstration of what goes into preparing students for examinations will make participation more likely. All components of the examinations will be covered.  A presenter expert in each instrument will go through the repertoire list in detail pointing out the “backbone” works and making suggestions for additional second and third pieces required at the upper levels. The second goal is to enhance the experience of those already participating in the program. Teachers will come away with fresh ideas and new teaching material to try. We also recommend that experienced and new CPS examiners attend in order to get a thorough overview of the program.  

Nebraska Chapter of ASTA: ASTA BLASTA!
The project is slated to be a one-day statewide workshop designed for public and private teachers, as well as college and high school students. The workshop will feature sessions on learning to play a secondary instrument more proficiently, conducting, and managing a private studio. With double sessions running all day long, we hope to engage the full spectrum of our membership with a special emphasis on attracting new members. One of the exciting components of ASTA BLASTA is teachers and students learning side-by-side.  Participants have the option to prepare two selections Levitation and J.D. Meets the Rhythm Section and therefore having the opportunity to jam with Randy Sabien, a well-respected jazz musician and clinician.

New York Chapter of ASTA: Strings Off And Running! (SOAR!)
SOAR! will provide a string program to students at a parochial school where there is currently no string instrument instruction. In addition, the school has agreed to serve as a lab school for junior string music education teachers from Ithaca College. Student teachers will spend three hours each week working with students under supervision from Ithaca College faculty. They will ha eth opportunity to teach individual, small group, and ensemble classes to students ages kindergarten through sixth grade. Freshmen and sophomore students will be able to earn field experience observation hours at the school. As Ithaca College adds a full-time string music education line in the fall of 2009, the school will attract an even larger number of string education majors who will benefit from the lab school.  

Texas Chapter of ASTA: Alternative Styles Festival
The University of Texas String Project will hold an Alternative Styles Festival for local string students and teachers. Nationally known artists in fiddling, mariachi, and tango will present clinics in their respective styles. Teachers can attend workshops geared toward teaching these styles and students will have the opportunity to perform in master classes and clinic sessions for students. The festival will conclude with a concert by clinicians as well as other successful performing artists in the area, which will be open to the general public.

The Utah Chapter of ASTA: Utah  ASTA Fall Conference
It is hoped that this first annual Fall Conference will expand and replace its smaller annual Fall Workshop. It will emulate the successful model of the annual national ASTA conferences. The conference will be multi-dimensional and will also provide a forum for the Utah ASTA State Solo Competition. The day’s events will include a variety of instructional sessions for public school and studio teachers (traditional and alternative string style topics), a string orchestra reading session, instruction sessions for collegiate string students, student ensemble performances, local members of the string industry, at least one national clinician, and State Solo Competition events. Sessions will be conducted by local teachers (private, public school, and collegiate level), Utah symphony members, and out-of-state clinicians. The conference will end with an evening recital performance by winners of the State Solo Competition.  

The Virginia Chapter of ASTA:  VASTA's Virginia Cellobration
Cellobration is intended to instill a sense of pride and unification in the cello world. It provides teachers and students with new ideas about playing cello and serves as a tool for networking throughout the state and advocating their programs to peers.  The Virginia Cellobration allows for cellists to enjoy a weekend of fun music and see possibilities that extend throughout the state.  

The South Carolina Chapter of ASTA: South Carolina Violin Workshop
This one day workshop in Greenville features master classes and a violin choir. It is open to any level violin student that can read music at the Suzuki Book Two level or above. It is also open to any level violin teacher and public school strings instructor. The workshop features clinician Brenda Brenner of Indiana University with additional master classes by Sarah Johnson of the North Carolina School of the Arts and Converse College, as well as Deirdre Hutton of Furman University.


2007

Kentucky Chapter of ASTA: L.O.V.E. Commissioned Composition
The students and teachers of Lexington’s Only Viola Ensemble (L.O.V.E.) will commission a multiple viola work by Elizabeth Stuen-Walker—an experienced violist and composer of multiple viola ensemble pieces. This piece will have parts for different skill levels and students at the local schools wills be given the opportunity to perform with the ensemble, thus encouraging viola performance and “state musical camaraderie.”

Ohio Chapter of ASTA: OSTA String Festival
This project will provide the opportunity for string teachers and students to perform in a non-competitive atmosphere where they can share their talent and growth. Each orchestra will perform for three certified string teachers and receive verbal and written feedback on their performance. A fourth string teacher will also listen to the performance and spend 25-30 minutes in a clinic setting with the group.

Michigan Chapter of ASTA: MASTA Camps DVD
The project will create a DVD to promote MASTA Elementary and Junior High String Camps to get the word out to young string players about summer string music opportunities in Michigan.

Nebraska Chapter of ASTA: Tri-City Youth Symphony/Tri-City Junior Youth Symphony Retreat
This project aims to bring together the students in central Nebraska together for a weekend of music-making. Often these students study privately and have no orchestra program available to them. By bringing the students together for an intense weekend of music making led by two conductors with additional assistance from sectional coaches, the state chapter may offer students a unique musical opportunity to play music at the highest level of performance.

New Jersey ASTA: Tenth Anniversary NJASTA Symposium
This project will offer New Jersey teachers and string students a smaller scale experience of the ASTA National Conference. The symposium will offer a full day of events, equally promoting both traditional and alternative styles in string performance/education.

North Carolina Chapter of ASTA: String Pedagogy and Practice for the Classroom and Private Studio
This project will deliver specific knowledge of pedagogical skills to string music education majors from three Schools of Music in North Carolina and visiting public and private school teachers.

Rhode Island Chapter of ASTA: Professional Development for Music Educators who Teach Strings in RI
This project will offer a series of professional development days for all public school music teachers who teach strings as part of their jobs in Rhode Island. The goal of the presentations is to help music teachers acquire a deeper knowledge of how to teach strings.

South Dakota Chapter of ASTA: Workshops for Strings
This project will present two string masterclass/workshops in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The presenters will be Jaromir Krovacek and French Chamber Orchestra.  The workshop will provide an opportunity for South Dakota string students to work with expert teachers/performers with special insights into Sevcik’s methods and orchestral string playing.

Texas Chapter of ASTA: Statewide Implementation of Certificate Program for Strings
TexASTA will host two separate days of Certificate Program for Strings Examiner training, in two different locations in the state.

Virginia Chapter of ASTA: Senior Regional Prep Days
The workshop will include masterclasses on each string instrument (violin, viola, cello, and bass) to prepare area high school students for the SRO Audition requirements.

2006

Utah Chapter of ASTA: 2007 Utah Chapter of ASTA Composition Competition
To encourage works by Utah ASTA composers by providing a financial incentive and potential publicity as well as providing a vehicle for public performance of new compositions to music educators.

Alabama Chapter of ASTA: Fiddle Fair
A project to provide high quality in-service education for Alabama Chapter members. Susan Kempter, clinician, will present four sessions designed to instruct and inspire. Participants will bring their instruments and will be encouraged to ask questions throughout. Kempter will lead a sharing session in which each teacher brings a good teaching idea and handout.

New Jersey Chapter of ASTA: New Jersey String Quartet Festival
New Jersey String Quartet Festival will consist of a competition, a masterclass, and a lecture/concert all presided over and presented by a world-class ensemble, the Shanghai String Quartet. The project provides an opportunity for students to be educated in the art of string quartet playing by encouraging them to prepare music for performance. In addition, the lecture/performance given by the Shanghai String Quartet in residence at Montclair State University, will enlighten students as well as audience members about what a career in professional string quartet is like including the artistic commitment, the hardships of travel, promotion and management, and maintaining a high standard of performance.

2005

Utah Chapter of ASTA: 2006 Utah Chapter of ASTA Composition Competition
To encourage works by Utah ASTA composers by providing a financial incentive and potential publicity as well as providing a vehicle for public performance of new compositions to music educators. The winning composition, Chant-Formations by Deborah Baker Monday,  is a Grade 3.5 work, approximately 4 minutes in length.

Wisconsin Chapter of ASTA: Orff Instrumentarium for Elementary Orchestra Camp
The mission of the camp is to motivate students in grades 4 thru 6 through skill building and skill reinforcing. Elementary camp is designed for 1-2 year public school students, although the camp typically has students each year who are more experienced. The 3-day/2-night camp has classes in string orchestra, small heterogeneous groups, movement and Orff. This is in addition to regular summer camp activities. At the end of the session, each student will play 3-4 string orchestra pieces in a concert for parents. The grant will be used to help purchase instruments for the camp.

Rhode Island Chapter of ASTA: “RISTA String Festival
The proposed festival will encourage fledgling string classes as well as functioning orchestras to participate in workshops by outstanding ASTA clinicians. Clinics will be created that will meet the needs of the participants at whatever level they are playing.

Nebraska Chapter of ASTA: ROSIN
This project is a bold, 3-5 year initiative to develop new string and orchestra programs in Nebraska. Whether the project ignites interest in rural or urban settings, or in community based or existing school systems, it is time to share information and resources in a systematic, user friendly way. The funding from the grant will cover mailing and phone calls, paper and printing for trifolds, cover letters, and packets, publications for a lending library, and advertising.

New Jersey Chapter of ASTA: ASTA/NJ Chamber Music Institute
This project will bring to teenagers the fine art of chamber music playing. Students will be coached in small groups by some of the finest coaches in New Jersey. They will hear excellent performances by their coaches as well. By using university professors from



American String Teachers Association
4153 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 279-2113 · Fax: (703) 279-2114 ·  asta@astaweb.com
Community Highlights
Discovering Strings and Orchestra is seeking volunteer string clinicians, performers, and youth troops. Click here to learn more or volunteer!
ASTA awarded ten state chapters funding through the Special Project Grants. Click here to view the project winners!