American String Teachers Association
ASTA National Office
1806 Robert Fulton Drive, Suite 300
Reston, Virgina 22091-4348
CALL: 412-476-1317
FAX: 412-476-1316
E-MAIL: gwixson@ix.netcom.com
Galen Wixson, Executive Administrator
ASTA is...
- nearly 10,000 string people-private and public school teachers, university professors, performers, students, retirees, amateurs and professionals, libraries, businesses and enthusiasts in the United States, Canada, and worldwide.
- made up of violinists and violists, cellists and bassists, and harpists and guitarists.
- charged with establishing the highest artistic and pedagogical standards in string instrument teaching and performance, and with promoting solo, ensemble and orchestra performance at all levels of achievement.
- cooperative with MENC, NSOA, SAA, MTNA, and other music organizations.
- a sister organization to the ESTA associations in Europe, as well as JASTA (Japan), AUSTA Australia) and groups in New Zealand, Taiwan and the People's Republic of China.
Mission Statement
The American String Teachers Association is a professional organization serving string teachers, orchestra directors, professional players-and through them-the general public. The association promotes excellence, communication, professionalism, and leadership potential among its members and throughout the music community. Its ultimate goals are maintaining standards of musical excellence, professional communication, member inspiration, and increased visibility of its position, activities, and the art it serves.
Organization
Founded in 1946, ASTA is organized as a non-profit corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (revised 1986). Gifts to the association are tax-deductible to the limits allowed by law.
ASTA is governed by a National Executive Board, elected every two years. The elected officers are president, president-elect, past president, secretary, and member-at-large. Appointed officers are editor of the American String Teacher, publications chair, and executive administrator.
Current Executive Officers include:
President: Jacquelyn Dillon-Krass
President-Elect: Edward H. Adelson
Past-President: Anne C. Witt
Secretary: Judith P. Evans
Member-At-Large: Heidi Castleman
Publications Chairman: Robert Cowden
Editor, American String Teacher: Laura Reed
ASTA National Office: Galen Wixson, Executive Administrator
State Units
ASTA's strength lies in its state units. Each state has its own constitution and bylaws, state officers, and programs such as orchestra days, summer camps, competitions, play[ins, etc. Most have a newsletter. States receive dues rebates to help support state programs. chapters range in size from twenty to several hundred members.
Presidents of each state unit may be contacted for information about the activities in their state.
Urban Outreach Program
The ASTA Urban Outreach Program supports innovative projects that provide disadvantaged urban school children through grade twelve the opportunity to study string instruments.
Awards
ASTA makes available, at moderate cost, award certificates for the state and school level. Certificates of excellence for high school or college students are 8.5" x 11", ready for framing. The State Unit leadership award is 17" X 22" with calligraphy in blue and gold, ready for framing.
Student Chapters
A Number of colleges, universities and high schools nationwide support student ASTA chapters. Students are encouraged to initiate programs and activities on campus and to participate in state and national events.
The following schools have student chapters:
Boise State University:
Brigham Young University:
Central Washington University:
Eastern Michigan University:
Eastman School of Music:
Elizabethtown College:
Florida State University:
Hawaii Student ASTA
Mansfield University:
Memphis State University:
Michigan State University:
Oklahoma City University:
Penn State University:
Putnam City Schools:
Saddleback College:
Shenandoah University Conservatory:
South Dakota ASTA Student Chapter:
Southern Illinois University:
Texas Christian University:
Tulsa University:
University of Central Oklahoma:
University of Colorado:
University of Evansville Paul Rolland Memorial Chapter:
University of Georgia:
University of Miami:
University of Minnesota-Duluth:
University of Montana:
University of North Texas:
University of Redlands:
University of South Carolina:
University of South Florida:
University of the Pacific:
Weber State University:
West Virginia University:
Witchita State University:
Special Projects Grants
ASTA's grants program provides funds for innovative string events designed to support state unit projects. Guidelines and applications are sent to state unit presidents each fall to allow planning for February application deadlines.
The American String Teacher
Members receive the award-winning American String Teacher, published for more than 40 years, the journal is considered one of the best in the music education field. Ten appointed forum editors see that solid pedagogical information appears in each issue. The journal also carries feature articles, news of the string community and its suppliers, competitions and their winners, special events, and state happenings. Members are encouraged to submit articles. Guidelines are available from: Editor, American String Teacher, 400 South Lang Ave. #1, Pittsburgh, PA 15208.
National Convention
Each spring ASTA hosts master classes, clinics, and other presentations by leaders in the string world. The highlight of each convention is the awards luncheon, with presentation of the annual Artist-Teacher, Distinguished Service, and School Educator awards. Citations for Exceptional Leadership and Merit are also awarded.
The Last National Convention
The Next National Convention
Solo competition
The ASTA National Solo Competition (held in even-numbered years in conjunction with the national convention) feature the nation's most promising young artists. State competitions precede the national competition. A prestigious jury evaluates performances in all six instrument categories of the association membership. The winners recital following the awards luncheon is a gala occasion.
School Task Force
Representing school string and orchestra teachers, this committee gathers and distributes information, assumes projects, offers support, and makes recommendations to assist the president, executive board, strings and orchestra teachers, and their programs.
ASTA on the Net
Share important professional information with other ASTA members on the ASTA discussion list, accessible to individuals with electronic mail either directly on the Internet or through commercial services such as America ONline, CompuServe, or MCImail. ASTA-L is not a bulletin board system but, rather, a subscription list in which all postings are distributed to all list subscribers via e-mail.
To subscribe to the list, send an e-mail message addressed to:
LISTSERVE@CMSUVMB.CMSU.EDU
In the "message" text space where you normally type your message, enter:
SUB ASTA-L your full name
(where "your full name" is your actual name). For information or assistance, contact: Michael Bersin, Department of Music, Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, MO 64093 or via e-mail:
MB0458@cmsuvmb.cmsu.edu
ASTA Hot Line
Organized in 1989 as a project of the School Task Force, and making use of the total resources of ASTA, the Hot Line assists school teachers, school systems, parents, and parent groups. A call to (219)848-7831 brings advice and assistance with any school-related problem.
Summer Workshops
ASTA assists national and international study and performance events with advertising and promotion. These are excellent educational opportunities for both students and teachers. The workshop selection is published every spring in the AST.
Publications
The ASTA Publications Library contains nearly 30 publications. The books include an updated syllabus of string materials, hard-to-find analytical texts, contemporary etudes commissioned by ASTA, and other topics string teachers will value in the personal libraries. Publications are available through the Theodore Presser Company. Click here to view an order form which you may than print from your laser printer.
The Video Library
The ASTA Media Resource Center, housed at The Ohio State University, has rental videos available on a non-profit basis. Tapes are generally VHS, and from 15 minutes to four hours in length. Click here to view an order form which you may than print from your laser printer.
Instrument Insurance
Merz-Huber Company offers ASTA members an all-risk musical instrument policy at the most competitive rates available today. To take advantage of this excellent coverage, a number of persons (some not even string players) have opted for membership.
ASTA Job Referral Service
In 1992, the national office began a service of connecting teachers looking for jobs with positions open. The service is offered to ASTA members at no charge.
ASTA MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Return to: String Education Resources
This page is constructed by Rodney Mueller, Ed.D. student in String Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.