For Immediate Release
September 26, 2007

New Advocacy DVD Available Free from ASTA

The American String Teachers Association (ASTA) is adding another resource for string educators. “Advocating for Strings” is a 10-minute DVD that focuses on the benefits associated with playing a string instrument and features artists and students from the 2007 ASTA National Conference held last March.

“Advocating for Strings” stresses important benefits of playing a string or musical instrument and provides solid evidence in the form of statistics. According to Bob Gillespie, ASTA past president and professor of music at Ohio State University, research proves that music students are:

• scoring significantly higher on the SAT than the average general student body population; string students have the highest scores among music students,
• leaders in classes and activities,
• members of academic honor groups,
• in the upper 10 percent of their graduating class, and
• less likely to abuse alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs.

The DVD not only interviews ASTA’s vocal leaders but also gives students a chance to encourage their peers to play and get involved in string competitions at a national level. “This DVD is extremely well done, and we are excited about its release,” says Donna Hale, ASTA executive director. “The overall theme of advocating strings should change many nay-sayers’ perspective on the value of string education and pursuing a career in string teaching.”

This public service DVD would not have been possible without the sponsorship of dedicated ASTA members. They are CodaBow, D’Addario, Heinrich Gill, Knilling, The National Youth Orchestra Foundation, and Yamaha.

“Advocating for Strings” is available at no charge for individual, institutional, and council members of ASTA. Nonmembers may purchase the DVD for $9.95. Simply go to the ASTA website at astaweb.com to order. You can also join ASTA and gain the many membership benefits at the same address. This tool can be used by teachers as well as anyone who is an advocate of string education. Contact the ASTA National Office at 703/279-2113 ext. 25 for questions relating to the DVD.

The American String Teachers Association is committed to advancing string education and performance in the United States and around the world. Its 11,500 members include educators, performers, string industry representatives, students, and string enthusiasts.