Newsletter

The NE-ASTA officers and board members request your presence, Saturday, November 23, 2002, eight o'clock AM in room 9 of Westbrook Music Building, at our membership meeting. The meeting will take place the weekend of the NMEA conference. (In the summer String Along issue I mentioned that our membership meeting would be Friday evening instead of Saturday morning. Unfortunately, this had to be changed and we'll meet yet again on Saturday morning. However, the meeting is scheduled one hour later than in the past couple of years.) If you come to the meeting, not only will breakfast be served, but you'll have the opportunity to be involved in stimulating conversation. Your input is desired and valued by our organization--please come and share with the membership your ideas for increasing membership and the type of activities with which our organization is involved. In fact, I challenge each of you to attend the meeting and bring a new ASTA with NSOA member (or potential recruit) with you.

To those of you who attended the Central States Workshop, thanks for making it such a smashing success. I hope you enjoyed Phyllis Young as much as she enjoyed you! It was wonderful to see so many of you there. Next time, September 2004, let's have an even bigger turnout!

Now for an update of the University of Nebraska String Project. The program is now in its third year and classes are off to a great start! We currently have about 140 students in the program. Nine undergraduate string students are teaching in the program and being supervised, for the second year in a row, by the one-and-only Alice Johnson. Please know that you have a standing invitation to give a 35-40 minute pedagogy workshop with these undergraduates. Or you can simply stop by Westbrook Music Building during the hours of 4:30-6:20, Monday/Wednesday, to observe classes. We love having visitors!

That's it for now. I look forward to seeing you and your new recruit(s) at the NMEA conference, November 21-23, and our membership meeting November 23. By the way, Pamela Tellejohn Hayes, co-author of Essential Elements for Strings, will be the guest string clinician at NMEA. Until then (and after), have a productive and healthy semester.

PRESIDENT-ELECT''S MESSAGE

Teachers use various motivational strategies and tools for a number of reasons. Sometimes students need extrinsic rewards to keep them practicing. Sometimes they need a little pick-me-up when the lessons become challenging. Some need to have their successes become apparent to others in their class, school, or community. I am sure you can think of dozens of other reasons to use motivational tools. Much as we would like the joy of making music to be reward enough for our students, it just does not always happen that way, especially if you work with beginners, as I do.

So we use stickers to reward practice time, candy treats for good behavior, lifesavers to demonstrate good bow-holds, Hershey's Hugs to show how to hold up violins and violas, music money for correct answers, award certificates for everything from perfect attendance to completion of a book or unit, and the list goes on and on. Last year I tried a new reward, Song Strings, which met with greater success than I ever dreamed. I credit my former student teacher, Janey Christoffersen, with the idea, and thank her very much for sharing it with me.

Song Strings are 12" to 16" pieces of curly ribbon, which usually comes in red, green, white, and gold, the kind they sell at Christmas time . When a beginning student can play a particular song for me correctly I tie the corresponding color ribbon to the scroll of their instrument. For example, Mary Had A Little Lamb gets a white ribbon (you know--"it's fleece was white as snow. . ."), Hot Cross Buns gets a gold ribbon (buns are golden brown when baked), Twinkle was yellow (like a star), Scotland's Burning was red (like fire), and so on. I had managed to find sixteen different colors of curly ribbon, so I made a chart listing the names of the thirteen songs and 3 major scales I wanted each beginner to learn by the end of the year, punched a hole in the chart by each title, tied the appropriate color string by each title, and posted the chart on the music room wall for all the students to see. Then I cut enough pieces of each color ribbon to cover the number of beginning students I had at that school, put them in a see-through plastic bag, and hung it next to the Song String chart where it was easily accessible to me during classes.

To say I was surprised at how hard students would work for those strings and how much the strings meant to them would be an understatement! There were several advantages to the Song String system, besides getting the kids to practice specifically what I wanted them to learn, which helped me as well. I could look across a class and see immediately who knew which songs. I could ask any student who was ready for class before the others to play a particular string song for me while other students were getting ready for class, a sort of reward for a quick set-up, and motivation to others in the class to follow suit. I could schedule Song String playoffs for the end of each class, to be done only if the assigned/planned material was accomplished first. When the princopal or a guest visited our class we had a repertoire of songs we could demonstrate on a moment's notice. Students also had songs ready to play for family and friends at home so they could show off a bit when asked to do so. I was a bit apprehensive about taking time during classes to have students play their string songs, but found I could be efficient by having each student play in turn one right after another. I could be tying the string on one student's violin while the next person was playing. There were also times when I would do a group play-off with a class of four to six students if they were all obviously capable of playing the particular song. Then I could hand out the strings and let the students tie them on at the end of class. As with many aspects of teaching beginners, the criteria for playing "correctly" was totally in my control, and I could use my best teacher's judgement when deciding if a student really needed a reward or really needed to work more to perfect a particular song.

The ribbons were a very inexpensive reward, especially when purchased in bulk at the after Christmas sales! The ribbons made the students' achievements immediately obvious to everyone in their class as well as students in other classes when we met as a string ensemble and to the audience at our programs. In fact some of the second and third year students were disappointed they could not have Song Strings on their scrolls. By the final concert of the year many of those beginners' scrolls looked like crested hens with all the strings tied to them! Our final act of the year when turning in music was to have a Ribbon Cutting. I carefully cut the ribbons off the scrolls and then allowed the students to keep them if they chose.

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

PRINCIPAL STUDIES STRINGS!

We have an interesting situation in Grand Island; one of my elementary principals (one in whose building I teach 5th grade strings weekly), approached me at the beginning of the year and asked if she could join the 5th grade violin class and learn violin along with them. She said she had always wanted to learn to play, and she felt that learning along with the class would be a good way to model life-long learning to the students, while acquiring the violin skills at the same time. Of course, I thought it was a great idea, so last Tuesday she brought her violin to school, and when it was time, she joined the four 5th grade beginners, plucking away at the opening pages of the method book! Not only is she playing in the class, she is also practicing at home, and turning in her weekly practice sheet, signed by her husband to verify practice time. She is also going to perform with the combined 5th grade elementary string orchestra (students from 14 city public elementary schools) when we do our first public "concert" on November 19th. Her name is Stephanie Schulte, and she is principal of Knickrehm Elementary School in Grand Island. At our first lesson, we had local media present; the education reporter from the Grand Island Independent and his photographer came, and a front page, color-picture story appeared in the newspaper the next morning. We also had a cameraman and reporter from KHAS-TV present, and our story appeared on the 6:00 p.m. news on Channel 5 from Hastings.

CODA BOW GIVE-AWAY

The Coda Bow folks are sponsoring a contest on their web-site! The Grand Prize is a Coda Bow Classic, plus a Coda Bow Aspire to be awarded to the school orchestra program of their choice through the Coda bows for America Community Outreach Program. The 2nd Prize is a Coda Bow Conservatory plus Coda Bow Aspire. Entries musit be received by 11:59 CT on Sunday, November 30, 2002. Winners will be notified by e-mail on December 2, 2002. To sign up, log on to their web-site at http://www.codabow.com/giveaway/index.html.

HISPANIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund offers awards to Hispanic-American college students. The deadline to apply is October 15, 2002. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund ( http://www.hsf.net/ ) was founded in 1975 to help Hispanic-American college students complete their education. The scholarships are available on a competitive basis for community college, four-year college, and graduate students of Hispanic heritage. Awards generally range from $1,000 to $3,000. To be eligible, a student must be of Hispanic heritage (one parent fully Hispanic or each parent half Hispanic); be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident (with permanent resident card); have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (or 3.7 on a 5-point scale); have earned at least twelve undergraduate units in the U.S. or Puerto Rico; and be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at an accredited U.S. college or university full-time (twenty-four undergraduate/twelve graduate units per year). Applications are evaluated on the following criteria: academic achievement (including GPA and past academic performance); letter of recommendation (from college professor/advisor); personal statement (writing skills, personal strengths and goals, professionalism, community involvement, and other qualities); and financial need.

STRICTLY STRINGS

The 16th annual ASTA "Strictly Strings" Festival will be held at Walnut Middle School in Grand Island on Saturday, November 2. The festival is open to middle school students in grades 7 and 8. This year's conductor will be Jim Schulz, an instrumental music teacher in the Lincoln Public Schools. Over 200 middle school students are expected to participate in this year's event. Also performing for the students will be the Tri-City Youth Symphony and the Tri-City Junior Youth Symphony. The Festival will conclude with a 4:00 p.m. concert. For further information, contact Christa Speed at 308-381-0664 or cspeed@esu10.org.

NEBRASKA ASTA WITH NSOA

STRING TEACHERS OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Each year the Nebraska Unit of the American String Teachers Association recognizes two outstanding string/orchestra teachers in Nebraska by presenting an award to one school orchestra director and one private studio teacher. Below are forms to be used for nominations. We urge you to consider submitting the name of a person whom you believe to represent outstanding teaching in one or both areas. Send nominations to: Deborah Greenblatt, The Old Schoolhouse, PO Box 671, Avoca, NE, or e-mail g-s@alltel.net. The deadline for nominations is November 1, 2001.

A decision has been made by the Executive Board of Nebraska ASTA that past winners will not be eligible until ten years after their last award.

PAST WINNERS: 1990 - Bettelee Lewis; 1991- Larry Maupin; 1992 - no awards given; 1993 - Carol Work (private) and Christa Speed (school); 1994 - Morris Collier (private) and Patty Ritchie (school); 1995 - Carol Work (private) and Alice Johnson (school); 1996 - Valerie Knowles (private) and Del Whitman (school); 1997 - David Low (private) and Molly Moriarty (school); 1999 - no awards given; 2000 - Gerald Fees (private) and Dave Klein (school); 2001- Mischa Johnson (private) and Maribeth Lynn (school) services and benefits.

FORM

ASTA WITH NSOA PLANS 2003 CONFERENCE

For the first time in its history, ASTA WITH NSOA will hold a stand-alone conference at The Ohio State University March 27 through 29, 2003. Conscious of the diverse demographics of its constituency, ASTA WITH NSOA will have clinics and performances that address the needs of private studio teachers, elementary and secondary string and orchestra teachers, university string teachers in both applied and music education areas, string students, Suzuki teachers, professional classical and non-classical performers, non-string performers who teach strings in schools (band directors, choir directors), and administrators.

Sessions will address the following areas: traditional pedagogy, string and full orchestras, classical and alternative styles of performance; university-level training of future string teachers; non-string players who teach strings; use of technology as it applies to playing and teaching strings; and the music industry. A call for session proposals will be announced in Spring 2002.

Those attending the conference will hear the NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL HONORS ORCHESTRA, a new Alternative Styles Performance Contest, solo recitals and chamber music performances, elementary - high school orchestras, and university orchestras.

ELIZABETH GREEN SCHOOL EDUCATOR AWARD

Below is the form for the Elizabeth Green School Educator Award, which will be awarded at the 2003 Conference at Ohio State. The same form can be printed from a pdf format when you go to http://www.astaweb.com. The deadline is November 15.

ASTA with NSOA members making nominations should submit this form, filled in completely, to their state chapter presidents who will forward to the ASTA with NSOA National Office with a postmark no later than November 15, 2002. Late forms will not be accepted.

1. All materials submitted will be photocopied by the selection committee; therefore, it is important that all material be typewritten or printed legibly.

2. Nominee must be currently active in teaching strings or orchestra in a regularly scheduled school setting.

3. Nominee must have at least ten years of successful school string/orchestra teaching experience.

4. Nominee's program must be for school-aged children through the twelfth grade.

NEASTA FUNDRAISING SURVEY

With the whole fee issue thing and the schools, how does this affect the smaller school districts in Nebraska? Fellow member, Ann Frame, requests your response to a NEASTA survey regarding fundraising.

Please send your reactions to her (amframe@hotmail.com, 7103 S. 43rd St., Bellevue, Ne, 68147) by December 1, and the results will be printed in the next issue of Stringing Along.

SPHINX COMPETITION

The Sphinx Competition for young black and Latino string players offers over 100,000 in prizes and scholarships, as well as performances with the Sphinx Symphony and the Detroit Symphony Orchestras. The deadline to submit an audition tape is December 1, 2002. for guidelines and repertoire requirements, contact Artistic Director, The Sphinx Competition, 3319 Greenfield Rd., No. 705, Dearborn, MI 48120-1212, or call (313) 336-9809, or e-mail info@sphinxcompetition.org, or log on to their web site at www.sphinxcompetition.org.

ASTA WITH NSOA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

ASTA WITH NSOA offers members a number of benefits and services. To learn more about these items, contact the National Office at 803-476-1316 or visit the association's web site at www.astaweb.com.

Grants:

The String Industry Council: intended to help finance new string programs and support existing ones. [Next deadline: May 1, Award up to $1000]

Urban Outreach Grants: to support innovative projects in economically challenged urban areas. [Next deadline: April 1, Award up to $1000]

Special Project Grants: for innovative activities or events for projects that will benefit the state chapter. [Next deadline: Feb 1, Award up to $800]

Instruments & Bows:

Potter's Violins Instrument Award: three instruments twice per year, given to students who demonstrate a particular worthiness and musical promise. [Next deadline: April 1, Award of a R. Deutche Violin, Viola, or Cello]

CodaBows for America Community Outreach Program:donates approximately $5,000 worth of CodaBow Aspire bows annually. Applications accepted from ASTA with NSOA members on behalf of schools or studios that outline the particular worthiness, promise, and need of their program. [Next deadline: Oct 1, Award of a Violin, Viola, or Cello Aspire Bow]

The Classics for Kids Foundation will donate instruments to ASTA with NSOA state chapters, studios, and school programs that do not have the financial resources to purchase instruments. [Next deadline: May 1]

AXA ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The AXA Achievement Scholarship Program offers college money to high school seniors. The deadline to apply is December 15, 2002.

Established in 1987, the AXA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AXA Financial, Inc., makes grants in support of its mission of improving the quality of life in the communities where AXA employees and associates live and work.

The AXA Achievement Scholarship Program, conducted in association with U.S. News & World Report and managed by the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America, will provide $670,000 in annual scholarships to high school seniors throughout the United States.

Fifty-two scholarship recipients, known as AXA Achievers, will be selected -- one from each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. All AXA Achievers will receive one-time scholarships of $10,000 each, and ten will be selected as national recipients, earning an additional one-time scholarship of $15,000, a computer, and the offer of an internship at an AXA office. Judging criteria include demonstrated achievement; the ability to achieve in a college environment; ambition, drive, and dedication; a commitment to succeed; and respect for self, family, and community. For complete program guidelines, see the AXA Foundation Web site. RFP Link: http://www.axaonline.com/axafoundation/ For additional RFPs in Education, visit: http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_education.jhtml

ASTA WITH NSOA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

ASTA WITH NSOA offers members a number of benefits and services. To learn more about these items, contact the National Office at 803-476-1316 or visit the association's web site at www.astaweb.com.

Instrument Insurance discount
Urban outreach Grants
Summer workshops and conferences
New Music reading folders

Visit the web site (www.astaweb.com) for a complete list of the member services and benefits.

Officers & Membership

Private String Teachers

Forms/Applications

Fall 2002 ISSUE

President's Message

PRESIDENT-ELECT''S MESSAGE

PRINCIPAL STUDIES STRINGS!

CODA BOW GIVE-AWAY

HISPANIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND

STRICTLY STRINGS

NEBRASKA ASTA WITH NSOA

STRING TEACHERS OF THE YEAR AWARDS

FORM

ASTA WITH NSOA PLANS 2003 CONFERENCE

ELIZABETH GREEN SCHOOL EDUCATOR AWARD

NEASTA FUNDRAISING SURVEY

SPHINX COMPETITION

ASTA WITH NSOA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

AXA ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

ASTA WITH NSOA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES