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SUMMER 2000 ISSUE
President's Message
I recently met an elementary art teacher, full of angst over a child who was unresponsive to the artistic condition on any level. She keeps trying, but there is some kind of wall... We have all been there, and some of us will soon be going there again. Part of what makes it all work is that students actually show up! And even the unresponsive child is still a sponge, by nature. And when the other children see you try, they notice.
See you in September,
Debby-in-the-Schoolhouse
President Nebraska ASTA with NSOA
President-Elect's Column
Dear Colleague:
It is an honor to be your new President-Elect and two years from now your President. I'm truly looking forward to the next several years! I hope you've had a wonderful summer and that you were able to participate in one of the many string clinics/conferences offered throughout the country and beyond during these summer months. Remember, they're all tax write-offs! And, of course, everyone should start the school year with a big bang by attending the Central States Workshop in September at UNO.
In order to be the best possible teachers we must keep abreast of the latest teaching approaches. We must be in discussion with each other on matters of string pedagogy and conducting. We need to read journals, attend workshops and concerts, and listen to recordings. We string players/teachers are fortunate to have careers in which we can make music and, at the same time, convey that excitement to our students through teaching and modeling.
Best wishes for a successful year!
Karen Becker, President-Elect ASTA Nebraska
On Thursday evening, May 11, the 62 member Tri-City Area Youth Symphony Orchestra performed a concert at the University of Nebraska at Kearney Recital Hall, with conductors David L. Klein and Daniel Schmidt. The program was as follows:
Light Cavalry Overture, by Franz von Suppe
Nr. 1 Colonial Song, by Percy Aldridge Grainger ed. Mark Rogers
Concerto for Harp and Flute, Allegro, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
(Soloists: Heidi Huenefeld, harp and Kendra Bose, flute)
Tales of a Traveler, John Philip Sousa, ed. Mark Rogers
The Kaffir on the Karroo
In the Land of the Golden Fleece
Coronation March
As stated in their program, the Tri-City Area Youth Symphony is a nonprofit orchestral training program for musicians of high school age. Instruction and programming are designed to develop well-rounded musicians through an orchestral environment; the study of performance techniques, music history and theory, and social interaction with students who share an interest in the art of orchestral music. Their next concert is November 5.
Guess what? Our vote on this issue was unanimous! We have established the position of Private Studio Member at Large for our Executive Board. Most of those who voted suggested nominees for the office, and we shall be able to vote on this matter at our membership meeting on Sunday morning at the Central States Workshop at UNO. (You're all gonna try to come, aren't ya?) In the meantime, in the spirit of throwing my weight around, I appointed Mischa Johnson (one of the nominees) to be temporary Private Studio Member at Large, until we do the official voting thing.
ASTA Experience~ by Eric Higgins
The national finals of the ASTA string competition was the experience of a lifetime. When I arrived at the competition site the day before the competition, the atmosphere was very tense, but brimming with excitement. We picked up a program and every person listed as a competitor had at least 10 awards listed under their names, which did not help the nerves at all. The day came, and my turn to play came faster than I thought it would. When I began to play it took me most of Allegro Appass~onato to get over my nerves and start making music instead of just going through the motions. It was exhilarating after that, and I enjoyed playing. It was kind of unnerving to finish a piece very powerfully and have no one clap, but I guess the judges needed their quiet time.
After I was done, it was as if someone has lifted a lead weight from my stomach that had been getting bigger since last October. It was just fun after that. I heard lots of others compete: the Wienawski Scherzo Tarantella isn't as impressive the 8th time you hear it. The rest of the week we spent around the site and meeting new people which was fun because we all had something in common. I had a master class where I met another bass player who showed me a fingering that I had never been able to figure out myself. Some of my new friends and I musically "duked it out" in the hotel lobby one evening- each one showing off more than the last- until 2:00 a.m. when the chips and salsa ran out.
To top it all off was the winner's recital. I have never been to anything like it. It was really great to be surrounded by excellent musicians (my own age) relishing wonderful music. This is definitely something worth working towards.
Leadership Summit 2000
July 7-9, Reston, Virginia
by Carol Ellenwood, Kearney Public Schools
Every cliché that you have ever heard "nuts and bolts", "no stones left unturned", "no bars hold", etc. describes the intensity and the vast amount of information that we were immersed in during the leadership summit. I, as the "designate" from Nebraska, showed up with not a clue as to what I was getting into and left a most inspired and committed member to ASTA with NSOA.
One's interests and involvement are always heightened when it becomes personal and I now can put a face and voice to thirty-six state officers, the national office personnel, our current national president and our national president elect. Everyone in attendance was either a state president or president elect except for yours truly. This turned out to be a major point of introduction, as everyone kept saying, "Just what is a designate?"
The summit agenda began with an overview of ASTA with NSOA and the services that are provided. This was followed by administrative issues which covered everything from our obligations to national to running a smooth state board meeting. Other topics involved were building membership, working with student chapters, managing successful activities, mentoring new teachers, and networking. The presenters were a nice blend between national office personnel and state representatives, all experts on their topics.
The convention and the facilities were four star. We were wined, dined,entertained, as well as informed. I am sure that this will become a regular event and never again a pre-inservice at MENC convention. Our organization is growing to the extent that a stand alone convention (no longer with MENC) is looming on the horizon. It pleased me greatly to discover that our Nebraska chapter is (in comparison) doing well. As with any gathering, there were many "war stories" being shared and it was so nice to think to myself "Wow, I'm glad that's not us!"
If I were to come away from this experience with one thought it would be an affirmation to the vision statement that was developed. It was a personal one for each participant, but yet there was a common thread that bound the group. I'm sure that in your thoughts you are sharing that same common thread, that in a perfect society, all children will have the opportunity to learn to play a string instrument. Through the strength of our membership, this is attainable. Make it personal, get and stay involved in ASTA with NSOA.
©2005 ASTA with NSOA, Nebraska Unit, C. Ellenwood, Webmaster