Newsletter

What a wonderful experience it was at Central States Workshop hearing Doris Gazda, and playing and dancing with Debby Greenblatt, and reading new and old music. Be sure to read Patty's report about it in this issue. It is always so great to see old friends and meet new friends, to browse the displays, and recharge our batteries by connecting with our string teaching peers.

We have another opportunity to refresh and recharge in November when the Nebraska Music Educators have their annual conference/clinic. In conjunction with that we will have our annual ASTA Membership Meeting at 8 am on Saturday, November 20, in Westbrook Music Building on the UN-L campus. I hope as many of you as possible will be present for that meeting.

Also on November 20 we will have our annual NEASTA Awards Luncheon, held at the Downtown Holiday Inn in Lincoln at 11:30. It would be wonderful to have a whole bunch of us there to honor our awardees. PLEASE let me know if you will be attending!!! I have to turn in firm numbers to the management in advance of the event. You may send in the form printed in this issue with your payment, or e-mail me, phone me, send me a letter--whatever. You don't even have to pay now--you may pay at the luncheon. Just let me know you're coming! Thanks!

For those of you who are looking to even bigger ways to recharge there is always the National Convention in February in Reno. It looks like it will be four days of nonstop string fantasy, enough to keep one going for the rest of the school year and beyond! You should be receiving, if you have not already, information from the national office about that. Also you can go to the ASTA website (www.astaweb.com) and get information as well as register online.

In the last issue I told you about some of the "out of my comfort zone" things I was doing this year, and a couple of them have already happened. I did survive my recital, and I did attend a fiddle camp for teachers the same week. In the course of that fiddle camp we were asked to write music (imagine that--Debby Greenblatt teaching the National Standards when faced with a bunch of music teachers!). My favorite assignment was one requiring us to write a pieced for cross-tuned instrument. I used the term scordatura, but my fiddle friends called it cross-tuned. Either way it is awesome how the instruments resonate so differently when using the technique. I had such fun writing and playing that piece that I am including it here for you all to enjoy. If you aren't a violist just pick up a violin and play it like a viola. (Violists do this a lot, reading a violin piece on viola and just pretending we're holding a violin.) Remember to tune your bottom string up a step and your top string down a step. And enjoy, even if it is out of your comfort zone!

The first 15 entries received will get a special prize, courtesy of our sponsors.

The winners will be announced on May 28, 2005, during the Monumental Fiddling Championship held at the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, Nebraska. The winning compositions will be performed at the Monumental Fiddling Championship, and printed in Stringing Along, the journal of the Nebraska Chapter of the American String Teachers Association. Direct your questions to: Deborah Greenblatt, The Old Schoolhouse, PO Box 671, Avoca, Nebraska, 68307-0671, or by e-mail to g-s@alltel.net.

1. Each submission should be an original composition which must be unpublished and composed after May 29, 2004.
2. Composers may submit more than one tune, but only one prize will be awarded to any one composer.
3. Four copies of the music must be submitted via computer generated sheet music, or hand-written sheet music.
4. The composer should include their name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and the title of the piece.
5. The entry fee of $20.00 should be sent in at the time of submission. Checks should be payable to Nebraska ASTA.
6. If you wish to receive written evaluation of your tune by the judges, include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your entry.
7. Nebraska ASTA assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to works submitted.
8. Entries must be postmarked by March 22, 2005.
9. Send your entry to Deborah Greenblatt, The Old Schoolhouse, PO Box 671, Avoca, Nebraska, 68307-0671. The composer is responsible for keeping a copy of their work, as well as for coyrighting their tune.
10. The composer understands that if their tune is one of the winners, Nebraska ASTA has permission to have the piece performed on May 29, 2005, in Beatrice, Nebraska, as well as permission to reprint the tune in Stringing Along, the quarterly newsletter of Nebraska ASTA.

Greenblatt & Seay Publications, Avoca, Nebraska
The Metropolitan String Quartet, Omaha, Nebraska
Nielsen's Violin Shop, Omaha, Nebraska
Shar, Michigan
SouthWest Strings, Arizona

What: NE-ASTA with NSOA Annual Awards Luncheon
When: Saturday, November 20, 11:30 a. .m
Where: Holiday Inn Downtown
141 N. 9th Street, Lincoln
University Room
Cost: $11.00
RSVP: to Dottie Ladman no later than Nov. 12

Name_____________________________________________
I will be attending the awards luncheon yes no
Number of reservations ______________
X $11.00
total ______________
Payment enclosed ________ Will pay at the door____
(make checks payable to NE-ASTA)
Please mail to: Dottie Ladman
3906 Pace Blvd.
Lincoln, NE 68502-5750
or e-mail dladman@lps.org
or call (402) 423-1760 to place a reservation THANKS!

Hey Baby, We Boogied! ..at the 2004 Central States ASTA Workshop! The event of the season- inspirational and irrational, took our breath away, as we boogied in every minor/modal key, contradanced and hora(ed) (dangerous verb) with the amazing fiddling pedagogue Deborah Greenblatt.

Whether "stepping out" on the UNO Strauss Music Building stage, checking to see if we had two left feet, or listening to real life stories associated with fiddle tunes, we caught the kind spirit of the fiddle, and we hope to share some of the pluck with our students. Incorporating the growing fiddle resources into our curriculum will certainly improve technique and our students' imaginations!

We attended sessions with the wise and wonderful mentor Doris Gazda, whose lifetime of teaching strings in the public schools, and composing for young orchestras speaks volumes about her love of young people and the unique opportunity we have to share music with them. Doris has a national perspective on Orchestra programs and has co-authored a popular method book.

We reacquainted ourseleves with vendors such as Music Teachers Supply and Nielsen's Violin Shop. How fortunate we are to have quality businesses in our area who care about service.

We took some time to ponder private studio questions, such as "Why do we teach?" "How do we communicate with parents and school teachers when there is a concern or a success to share?" How to handle the money? Thank you to our panel from Lincoln, Ne.- Arnold Schatz, Maurice and Aleta Collier, and Lisa Watkins.

A fun romp through a sight reading orchestra music session allowed teachers from accross the plains a chance to rosin up and torment the volunteer conductors. Mr. Clark Potter and Aviva Segall- you rock!

A delicious dinner in an elegant setting gave us an opportunity to relax and savor our friendships. It never fails- a whirlwind weekend of great people laughing and learning together helps us stay rooted, and sprout wings.
Thanks to all the board, and especially to Karen Becker and Christopher Stanichar, for organizing the Central States Workshop.

COMMISSIONING MUSIC/USA
INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR SUPPORT OF NEW MUSICAL WORKS
Deadline: November 12, 2004

A partnership between Meet The Composer ( http://www.meetthecomposer.org/ ) and the National Endowment for the Arts, Commissioning Music/USA provides major national support for the commissioning and multiple performances of new musical works.

Commissioning Music/USA supports not-for-profit performing and presenting organizations that wish to commission new works by providing financial support for composer and librettist commissioning fees, copying costs, as well as a range of support services.

Applications are accepted on a rotating basis by project category. Awards for the 2005 round of Commissioning Music/USA will be for chamber ensemble, jazz ensemble, new music ensemble, orchestra, chorus, concert band, and instrumental/vocal soloist.

Applicant organizations must be U.S.-based, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. Organizations and ensembles that are not incorporated may apply to the program, but must have fiscal sponsorship from a not-for-profit arts organization that meets all eligibility requirements. The following types of organizations are eligible to apply, as long as the proposed project fits one of the eligible project categories: chamber ensemble, new music ensemble, jazz ensemble, orchestra, chorus, concert band, dance company, opera company, theater company, arts presenter/festival, public broadcaster (radio and television), Internet producer, and instrumental/vocal soloist. A group of organizations may also apply as a consortium.

The Stuhr Museum in conjunction with the Grand Island Daily Independent is gearing up for its 2nd Annual Heartland Heritage Festival June 4-5 2005. Last years event was a huge success and its our desire to make the 2005 event even bigger and better.

We would like to invite you to participate in this event by using your musical talents in a Folk Music Festival to take place on Saturday, June 4 on the museum grounds. We are looking for any instrumental/vocal groups to contribute to the Folk theme of the event. Groups will perform Saturday anywhere from noon-7pm.

We would like to have a good idea of the number of group/solo acts that will be performing by the end of December. Please contact me, Cindy Brosman, at cbrosman@hamilton.net (402-886-2274), for more information. Thank you for considering this event as part of your summer in 2005!!

Mark your calendars......"Strictly Strings" Middle School Orchestra Festival will be held on Saturday, November 6. For further information, please contact Christa Speed at
308-381-0664, or at cspeed@gips.org.

Christa Speed
Grand Island Senior High
Orchestra Director
2124 N. Lafayette
Grand Island, NE 68803
308-385-5950
cspeed@gips.org

November 19 and 20, there will be sessions of interest to string teachers at the NMEA conference at UNL:
Andrew Dabczynski will be presenting two sessions.

There will be a mini-session Friday morning with Keith Brown, the conductor of the All-State Orchestra.
Lincoln Youth Ensemble of Strings and Junior Youth Orchestra will present a concert in the Leid Center at 11 am on Friday, Nov. 19.

Lincoln Maxey Elementary String Ensemble will present a concert in Westbrook room 130 at 4 pm on Friday, Nov. 19.

NE-ASTA Annual Awards Luncheon 11:30 am Saturday Nov. 20 at the Holiday Inn Downtown, University Room.

Second Place Winner in the Second Annual Nebraska ASTA Fiddle Tune Composition Contest:

I've been fiddling since 1987. I've been playing with The Golden Griffon Stringtet,a contra dance band in southeast Michigan, since 1992.

The title of the tune honors my grandmother, Ethel Porter. In the 1920's, her father, Milo Prewitt, was digging a well and was overcome by gas fumes. Her mother, Thula, went down to help him and was also overcome. They both died leaving seven children to live with friends and relatives. All seven children kept in contact and
remained close throughout their lives.

I like tunes that put the accents in different places and I had been working on incorporating "downbow on the upbeat" into my playing. The Well Digger's Daughter is the result of some of that experimentation.

JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER WANTS YOUNG JAZZ ARTISTS
Deadline: December 17, 2004

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts ( http://kennedy-center.org/ ) invites young jazz artists to apply for Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead, the Kennedy Center's annual jazz residency. Founded by jazz artist Betty Carter, BCJA is part of the Kennedy Center Jazz.

Program. BCJA identifies outstanding emerging jazz artists and brings them together for a music residency under the tutelage of experienced artist-instructors who coach and counsel them, helping to polish their performance, composing, and arranging skills. Residency participants will work with established jazz artists during the residency period (March 23-April 1, 2005) and will perform in concerts at the Kennedy Center.
Musicians under the age of thirty who are both jazz composers and performers are eligible to apply. The Kennedy Center will provide participants with housing, a stipend for travel to and from Washington, D.C., and a modest honorarium for meal expenses.

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: Karen A. Becker, 8200 W. Holdrege, Lincoln, NE 68528, or e-mail kbecker2@unl.edu.

The deadline for nominations for the next awards is November 1, 2005. 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 Feese (private) and Dave Klein (school); 2001- Mischa Johnson (private) and Maribeth Lynn (school); 2002 - no awards given; 2003- Arnold Schatz (private) and Carol Ellenwood (school)
.......................................................................................................................................................................
NE-ASTA TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINATION
Schools-Strings/Orchestra
Nominee_________________________________ Phone_______________
School________________________________________________________
Address____________________________________Zip_______________
Person Submitting Form_____________________Phone_______________
Address____________________________________Zip________________
Signature (must be a NEASTA member)_____________________________
Comments_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
.......................................................................................................................................................................
NE-ASTA TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINATION
Private Studio Teacher
Nominee_________________________________ Phone_______________
School________________________________________________________
Address____________________________________Zip_______________
Person Submitting Form_____________________Phone_______________
Address____________________________________Zip________________
Signature (must be a NEASTA member)_____________________________
Comments_____________________________________________________

ASTA 2ND NATIONAL STRING CONFERENCE

ASTA is busy planning the 2nd National String Conference, which will be held in Reno, Nevada, February 24 - 26, 2005. Reno, a center of commerce and culture in northern Nevada is a high desert valley on the eastern side of the Sierra Mountains. The conference will be held at John Ascuaga's Nugget Resort and Conference Center. The Conference Center will house all events except the National High School Honors Orchestra Concert and the headliner recital, which will be held at the Pioneer Center. The conference will celebrate all aspects of teaching and performing string instruments. It will be a time for alternative styles enthusiasts, performers from any string related genre, private teachers, K-12 school teachers, and university educators from the applied and education areas to gather in one location to enhance skills and knowledge. If you attended the 2003 Conference, "All Together Now" at Ohio State, you know about the phenomenal atmosphere and excitement generated among the participants. The 2005 conference, unlike the 2004 Forums, will be a broader conference with a balance of sessions for our diverse membership. Session topics will include traditional pedagogy, issues for school string and orchestra teachers, injury prevention, classical and non-traditional performance, university-level training of future string players and educators, and alternative styles techniques to name a few. Poster sessions will also be available.

There will be master classes available for all instruments. New for 2005 will be two different levels of master classes-some geared for the typical string student and others for the more advanced musician. We will have the pleasure of seeing Midori work with very talented violinists. Other performances will include groups selected from the tapes sent in to the performance committee and will include but not be limited to orchestras, chamber groups, and alternative styles groups. One solo recital will be featured. The Alternative Styles committee will be involved with a form of a competition that will foster growth in a positive environment that will encourage young musicians. Watch the journal and the website for more information about this exciting venture as it becomes available. The music industry will sponsor showcases and will have a totally string-related exhibit hall. The exhibit hall in 2003 included over 100 string booths and it was a bustling hubbub of activity. It was so gratifying to see the exhibitors share their wares in a strings only venue.

The National High School Honors Orchestra will again be featured at the conference. The conductor will be Mark Russell Smith. Contact information to apply is in this newsletter. Please download application materials and requirements at <www.astaweb.com>. Social events are always important to string performers and teachers. The Silent Auction will be held again, but this time preview times will be available before the auction. This successful event was a big hit in 2003 and promises to be even better in 2005! Receptions will be available at various times during the conference. The Student Chapters will have the traditional pizza party. It will be a time to meet old friends, make many new ones and share unparalleled camaraderie. We look forward to seeing you in Reno!
_____________________________________________________________

Officers & Membership

Private String Teachers

Forms/Applications

Fall 2004
Volume 18, Number 3

Officers & Membership

Private String Teachers

Forms/Applications

Fall 2004 Volume 18, Number 3

Fall 2004
Volume 18, Number 3