American String Teachers Association
Encyclopedia
The American String Teacher's Association (or ASTA) is a professional organization based in the United States
for music teachers. It is the largest such national organization in the US for string teachers. It promotes learning to play string instrument
s in the next generation of American students, and also aims to place those students into orchestra
s as they grow more proficient. Originally two separate groups, ASTA and NSOA (National School Orchestra Association), the whole organization is now referred to as merely "ASTA". The organization is currently led by Kirk Moss. The immediate past president is cellist Jeffrey Solow
.
In addition to publishing a journal four times a year, they offer books, publicity leaflets & posters, and conferences to help train and encourage string teachers, and help them promote their programs in schools and in their communities at large.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for music teachers. It is the largest such national organization in the US for string teachers. It promotes learning to play string instrument
String instrument
A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
s in the next generation of American students, and also aims to place those students into orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
s as they grow more proficient. Originally two separate groups, ASTA and NSOA (National School Orchestra Association), the whole organization is now referred to as merely "ASTA". The organization is currently led by Kirk Moss. The immediate past president is cellist Jeffrey Solow
Jeffrey Solow
Jeffrey Solow is an American cello virtuoso and the immediate past president of the American String Teachers Association and president of the Violoncello Society, Inc. of New York.-Biography:...
.
In addition to publishing a journal four times a year, they offer books, publicity leaflets & posters, and conferences to help train and encourage string teachers, and help them promote their programs in schools and in their communities at large.
National Awards
- Artist Teacher Award is given to an artist/pedagogue of renowned stature from within North America.
- Citations for Leadership and Merit are given to ASTA members who have made significant contributions to the association.
- Distinguished Service Award
- Elizabeth A. H. Green School Educator Award is given annually to a school string teacher with a current and distinguished career in a school orchestral setting.
- Isaac SternIsaac SternIsaac Stern was a Ukrainian-born violinist. He was renowned for his recordings and for discovering new musical talent.-Biography:Isaac Stern was born into a Jewish family in Kremenets, Ukraine. He was fourteen months old when his family moved to San Francisco...
International Award is given to an artist teacher whose identity need not be primarily within the American scene.
- Marvin J. Rabin Community Service Award is given to an individual or organization who makes significant contributions to their community by their teaching and leadership.
- Paul RollandPaul RollandPaul Rolland was a violist and an influential American violin teacher who concentrated on the pedagogy of teaching fundamentals to beginning string students. He was famous for emphasizing that the physical demands of most violin techniques can be taught in the first two years of violin education...
Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual of renowned stature whose identity need not be primarily with the American scene.
- Student Chapter Award is given to an ASTA student chapter for exemplary promotion of strings in and around the university community.
- Traugott Rohner Leadership in the Music Industry Award is given to a string industry leader whose identity is primarily from within North America.