================================================================================ ASTA eNEWS Table of Contents Summer 2007 ================================================================================ ASSOCIATION AND CHAPTER NEWS
* ASTA Website and Email Notice
* Lya Stern: July Member of the Month
* Plan Now for ASTA’s National Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico
* Silent Auction Seeks Donations
* Alternative Styles In the Classroom DVD Available
* Community Youth Group Volunteers Needed
* Careers in String Teaching Bumper Stickers Now Available
* Shop and Support the National Foundation
* Council Members: Call for Showcase Articles STRINGS IN THE NEWS
* Silent Pauses in Music Stimulate the Brain (Washington Post)
* The Stradivarius of Ramadi – (Newsweek)
* Web Sales of Classical Music Is Up (Newsweek)
EVENTS AND COMPETITIONS
* Last Call to Register for youngArts Awards
* 2007 Victor Salvi Foundation Announces Award Winners
* Potter’s Violin Instrument Award Winners and Deadline
* CodaBows for America Awards
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ASTA WEBSITE AND EMAIL NOTICE
The ASTA website and office email system will be shut down for 24 to 48 hours in late August or early September. This is due to the overhaul of ASTA’s current site. At this point, we do not know the exact date but it will most likely occur August 30 and 31. An email notification will be sent out giving the exact date as we get closer to completing the new website. We will also post a notice on astaweb.com. We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause but it is necessary in order to complete the transition. Thank you for your patience.
LYA STERN: JULY MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Lya Stern, violinist, is July’s Member of the Month. She is one of the originators of ASTA’s Certificate Program for Strings (CPS). Additionally, she organized and was a member of the ASTA MD/D.C. CPS Violin and Program Administration committees. As the chair of the CPS National Committee, she helped to develop and bring the program to the national level. Stern received a bachelor of music degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a master of music in performance cum laude from the University of Southern California where she subsequently attended the master class of Jascha Heifetz in a post graduate class. She has played with the National Symphony Pops, the National Gallery Orchestra, and the American Ballet Theatre, and on the sound track of more than 150 motion pictures and TV films. She has recorded with Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli, and many others. Stern was the recipient of the ASTA MD/D.C. Chapter “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” and the “Service for Strings” awards, as well as the ASTA National Citation for Exceptional Leadership and Merit for initiating and setting up CPS. She is past president of ASTA MD/D.C., chair of the CPS in Maryland, and chair and adjudicator of competitions in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area. She is a private studio teacher in Maryland of award-winning students. Stern is an active member of ASTA who has dedicated many years of service to improving the string community. We are honored to name her “Member of the Month.”
PLAN NOW FOR ASTA’S NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
Sessions have been selected, presenters confirmed, social activities planned and the perfect weather ordered for ASTA’s conference in New Mexico this coming February. Plan now to attend and watch your mailbox for the registration brochure, coming in early September. This brochure will have information on all of the sessions, performances, social activities, evening events, exhibitors, sponsors and more. Register early to get the best rates, book your hotel and flights as soon as possible to ensure availability and to get your preferences - you will not want to miss a minute of the conference. ASTA’s preferred hotel rates are in effect several days prior to and after the conference so you may want to stay and take in breath-taking views from a hot-air balloon ride or the Sandia Peak Tram, sample some of the local flair, and great shopping opportunities (makes great gifts), or even book some time skiing in the surrounding mountains! Looking to share some of the costs – use the ASTA e-communities discussion boards to post requests for roommates and shared ground transportation from the airport. Sunport shuttle offers attendees specials for multiple people in the party. Visit the travel section of ASTA’s conference site for more details.
SILENT AUCTION SEEKS DONATIONS
Last year’s Silent Auction was our most successful ever, and we’re already working to make the 2008 auction an even bigger success! Donate an instrument, accessory, music, vacation package, or other item to the auction and help us achieve our goal. To make a donation, or to see what has already been donated, please visit http://www.astaweb.com/2008/silentauctionitems.html.
ALTERNATIVE STYLES IN THE CLASSROOM NOW AVAILABLE
ASTA just released “Alternative Styles in the Classroom”—a DVD that helps teachers and clinicians bring alternative styles into their classrooms. The DVD, just $20 for members, is available for sale exclusively through the ASTA bookstore. Reserve your copy today by calling 703/279-2113, ext. 10 or online through the bookstore.
COMMUNITY YOUTH GROUP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Are you interested in bringing string music to community youth groups in your neighborhood? ASTA recently received a grant from NAMM to host workshops for youth groups across the country. We are looking for volunteers to teach workshops in their neighborhoods and make a difference in young students’ lives. Materials and resources will be provided by ASTA. Please email liz@astaweb.com for more information or log on to www.astaweb.com. and visit the “Discovering Strings and Orchestra” section.
CAREERS IN STRING TEACHING BUMPER STICKERS NOW AVAILABLE
If you haven’t visited www.careersinstringteaching.com recently, you are missing out on a wealth of information about becoming a string teacher designed specifically for high school students. The site provides answers for many frequently asked questions, facts about teaching, links to teacher salaries and certification requirements in all 50 states, advice on writing a resume, and much more. Bumper stickers are currently available to display in your classroom and hand out to students. It serves as a visual reminder for the www.careersinstringteaching.com website. We are distributing the bumper stickers in lots of 25 for just $2.50 to cover shipping costs. Unfortunately, we cannot process “single” orders and offer is good only while supplies last. Visit the ASTA website for complete ordering information.
SHOP AND SUPPORT THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION
Visit any of the prominent retailers in our affiliate shopping program and a portion of the sale will be donated to ASTA and support the National Foundation programs. Participating companies include Amazon.com, Sephora, Audubon Strings, Macy’s, Apple, Target, and many more! Visit http://www.astaweb.com/shop.htm for a complete list of our partners. The National Foundation only gets a percentage if you access the retailer’s website from ASTA’s website, so bookmark this page and let the shopping begin! Please note that no additional costs are incurred by you for using the affiliate shopping program on our website. It is a win, win for ASTA and you!
COUNCIL MEMBERS: CALL FOR SHOWCASE ARTICLES
Would you like to have exclusive placement of your company’s new products, services, or information “showcased” in “American String Teacher” (AST)? If the answer is “yes” please send all releases, not more than 300 words, to maryjane@astaweb.com. This extraordinary benefit is offered to String Industry Council members only. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by to advertise for FREE to a targeted audience of nearly 11,500 potential buyers. Space is limited and graphics are advisable (300 dpi).
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SILENT PAUSES IN MUSIC STIMULATE THE BRAIN (WASHINGTON POST)
Music is soothing but the brain also likes the sound of silence. Read about a study published in the journal “Neuron” at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/02/AR2007080202264. html
THE STRADIVARIUS OF RAMADI – (NEWSWEEK)
Some Americans in Iraq spend the off-duty hours on their game machines; others keep blogs or work on their abs and pecs. Sgt. Geoffrey Allison made violins: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19649896/site/newsweek/page/0/
CLASSICAL MUSIC SALES INCREASE ON THE WEB (NEWSWEEK)
The July 30 issue of “Newsweek” includes a report by Alexandra Seno on classical music sales on the Web. Read what Seno reports about increased sales on the web at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19887678/site/newsweek/
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LAST CALL TO REGISTER FOR youngARTS AWARDS
Are you a talented young student artist? If so, you may be eligible for cash awards of up to $10,000 and the chance to be named a presidential scholar in the arts. youngARTS™, which identifies and rewards exceptional student artists from across the U.S., is accepting applications for its 2008 awards program. High school seniors in the 2007-2008 school year or graduates who will be 17 or 18 years old on December 1, 2007, are encouraged to apply. The final registration deadline is October 1, 2007 with all audition/portfolio materials are due by November 5, 2007. youngARTS, is the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA). For more details visit www.youngARTS.org or call 800/970-2787.
2007 VICTOR SALVI FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES AWARD WINNERS
The Victor Salvi Foundation presented its first Victor Salvi Foundation Awards at Lyon & Healy Hall last June. Out of 24 competitors, Angela Dastrup of Orem, Utah, Heidi Van Hoesen Gorton of New York, New York, and Hannah Kuipers of Rochester, Minnesota were chosen as the three award winners. Each received a check from the Victor Salvi Foundation for $2,000, a $500 Lyon & Healy gift certificate, and a winners’ plaque. The jury consisting of Andrea Swan, a prominent Chicago pianist, Dr. Ann Yeung, associate professor of harp at Illinois University Urbana-Champaign, and Ms. Dan Yu, Victor Salvi Foundation laureate, also chose three “honorable mention” competitors. Rachel Brandwein of Fairway, Kansas, Emily Levin of Centennial, Colorado, and Hee Jin Yoon of Bloomington, Indiana were the recipients of this honor.
POTTER’S VIOLIN INSTRUMENT AWARD WINNERS AND UPCOMING DEADLINE
ASTA is pleased to announce that three young musicians were awarded instruments by The Potter Violin Company, based in Bethesda, Maryland. Twice a year, Potter’s Violins donates three instruments to deserving young musicians who demonstrate a particular need or talent. The recipients of instruments for the April 2007 round of the Potter’s Violin Instrument Awards were: Francisco Diaz, Cello, Houston, Texas, Michael Dzuricky, Cello, Erie, Pennsylvania, and Anna Garcia, Viola, Orlando, Florida. For more information on the award, or to download an application, please visit www.astaweb.com. The postmark deadline for the October 2007 awards is October 1.
CODABOWS FOR AMERICA AWARDS
Every year, CodaBow International, Ltd., donates approximately $5,000 worth of full-size CodaBow Aspire bows to deserving schools and studios. Violin, viola, and cello bows are awarded. Applications are accepted from ASTA members on behalf of schools or studios that outline the particular worthiness, promise, and need of their program. ASTA is pleased to announce that bows were awarded to: Northwoods Strings, (Dayle Quigley) Hayward, Wisconsin Janice M. Cook, Private Teacher, Worthington, Ohio Please visit www.astaweb.com for more information on the award or to download an application. The next postmark deadline for this outreach program is April 1, 2008.
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SAVE THE DATES! 2008 ASTA National Conference February 27-March 1, 2008 Albuquerque, New Mexico National Orchestra Festival * National High School Honors Orchestra
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