Nebraska ASTA
Officers & Membership
Private String Teachers
Forms/Applications
NationaNational
Summer 2005
Volume 19, Number 2
Summer 2005
Volume 19, Number 2
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
The Art of Air-Bowing
by Dottie Ladman
The scenario is an orchestra of 64 studnets, all beginners who have been
playing for about six weeks. There is one teacher and a time allotment
of 50 minutes. The teacher begins tuning the students on at a time,
and as each studnet is tuned he or she takes a seat and invariably
begins to play (can you call it warming up at theis stage?). Eventually
the noise level becomes so high that tuning becomes difficult for the
teacher, and the studints are asked to stopy playing altogether and
sit quietly while the teacher completes the time-conmuming task of
tuning the remaining players and stragglers who are coming into rehearsal
late. So much for keeping students engaged for as much time as possible
during the rehearsal!
Enter the concept of air-bowing. This is an idea borrowed from some other teacher which I show my studnets almost as soon as they can use their bows. Violins and violas hold their instruments in regular playng position, but instead of bowing on the strings they place thier bow in the crook of their left elbow, and end up bowing underneath the instrument. They can still hold their bow proberly, though some choose to hold it upside down so they don't get rosin on their arms, and they can finger the notes and "play" their tunes without makeing andy sound. Cellos and basses simply air-bow abouve the strings so the bow does not touch the strings.
The advantages fo air-bowing are several. First and foremost it allows studnets to be actively engaged and practicing while the teacher is tuning or working with another student. Second, their fingers and bodies are still working, building kinesthetic memory, and their brains are working on music reading. Third, the studnets are practicing what Gordon calls audiating, or hearing the music inside their head withouthearing is aurally. And fourth, the teacher is able to hear to tune, or listen to a singe studnet playing while the rest of the class air-bow, or talk to the parent who just walked in to ask a question, or whatever needs to be done at the time which requires a quieter environment.
I was reminded about this useful technique when I was helping tune a large all-city orchestra this spring. As the noise level of everyone warming up got higher and higher I simply asked students to please air-bow if they werepracticing. I was delighted when most switched to air-bowing, those who were unfamiliar with the technique observed an followed suit, and hte volume decreased to the level that tuning was again possible.
And to whomever first showed me this great teaching and learning tool, THANK YOU!!!!
I do hope many of you are already planning to attend the ASTA with NSOA National Convention in Kansas City March 8-11, 2006. It is so close for us all, and such a wonderful enrichment opportunity, Watch for more information form ASTA in the coming months.
Also be sure to put on your calendar the ASTA with NSOA Reginoal Workshop at the University of Nebraska-Omaha on September 9-10, 2006. It seems so far away, but reserving the dates now will be wll worth your time.
I want to express my deep appreciation to Debby Greenblatt for all the years she has so capably served as the editor of Stringing Along. This is Debby's last issue, and as of this writing we are working on finding her replacement, knowing of course that she can never be replaced. many thanks Debby for all your hard work!
STRICTLY STRINGS
Strictly Strings will be helod on Nov 5, 2005 at Walnut Middle School in Grand Island. Strictly Strings is a festival for middle school students in the 7th & 8th grades. The students have the opportunity to come together and join other students to play in a mass orchestra for the day, and present a concert at 4:00 pm on the same day. For further information, please contact christa Speed at 308-381-0664 or at cspeed@gips.org.
FIDDLE TUNE COMPOSITION CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The results of the Third Annual Nebraska American String Teachers Associaiton Fiddle Tune composition Contest have been announced. The winning tunes were performed by championship fiddler, Deborah Greenblatt, on May 28, 2005. during the Monumental Fiddle championship at the Homestead National Monument in Beatice, Nebraska.
First Place sinner was Jim McKinney, (31001 Dolly Circle, Romulus, Michigan, stringtet@charter.net)who composed "Emptyhead", a wonderful hoedown in the key of D
Second Place went to David Godbey (3014 Gleneagles Ct, Bryan, Texas, 77802, dgodbey@ppfs4.tamu.edu), for his tune, "Avoca, My Home".
There was a tie for Third Place! David A. Sunderman (1339 300 Ave, Sidney, Iowa, 51651, 712-625-2761), composed a twin fiddling tune, "Waterfalls Waltz."
Roy A. Patchell 543 Laketower Drive, Unit NO 120, Lexington, Kentucky, 40502, RPatchell@aol.com ) composed "No Hope, A Mixolydian Hornpipe."
Each of these folks earned a cash prize, and an extra musical prize form corporate sponsors SouthWest Strings )Arizona), Shar Products (Michigan), and Greenblatt $ Seay Publications (Avoca, Nebraska)
Other sponsors of this year's contest included The Metropoliatn String Quartet and Nielsen's Violin shop, both of Omaha, Nebraska.
For more information, or to inquire about next year's contest, contact Deborah Greenblatt, The Old Schoolhouse, PO Box 671, Avoca, Nebraska, 68307-0671, or by e-mail to g-s@alltel.net.
Fourth ANNUAL NEBRASKA ASTA
FIDDLE TUNE COMPOSITION CONTEST!
FIRST PLACE: $100.00 SECOND PLACE: $50.00 THIRD PLACE: $25.00
The first 15 entries received will get a special prize, courtesy of our sponsors.
The winners will be announced on May 27, 2006, 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.
The 2005 Contest Rules and Guidelines
1. Each submission should be an original composition which must be
unpublished and composed after May 28, 2005.
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 31, 2006.
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 27,
2006, in Beatrice, Nebraska, as well as permission to reprint the tune
in Stringing Along, the quarterly newsletter of Nebraska ASTA.
Sponsors of the 2005 Nebraska ASTA Fiddle Tune Composition Contest:
Greenblatt & Seay Publications, Avoca, Nebraska
The Metropolitan String Quartet, Omaha, Nebraska
Nielsen's Violin Shop, Omaha, Nebraska
Shar, Michigan
SouthWest Strings, Arizona
NE ASTA YOUNG ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL
This year, studnets who performed in the festival felt inspired by outstanid performances and by thoughful comments form experienced judges (This year Jennifer Boomgaarden of the Omaha Are Youth Orchestra coached lively sessions for orchestras and Alice Johnson of the UN-L String Project gave thought ful and supportive comments ot solos and ensembles).
Many also had the opportunity to hear other middle shcollers perform as large ensembles, small ensembles, and soloists. It is instructive for the studnets to have such "out of school" experiences, and it is neat for instructors to hear how others approach common problems like intonation, rhythm, balance, etc. Groups who attend receive judges' comment sheets, a mini-clinic with the ensembles/solos, and large ensembles recieve a plaque with their rating engraved on it. All this for the very low cost of $5 per solo/small ensemble, $35 per stirng orchestra, and $60 per full orchestra. It's fun, it's reinforcing, and it's a field trip!
Mark your claendars for Staurday, May 6, 2006 at UNL's Kimball Hall! If you have questions or need further information, please contact:
Debbie Martinez
Director of Orchestras
Millard North High School, Millard North Middle School
1010 S. 144 St.
Omaha, NE 68154Questions? E-mail djmartin@mpsomaha.org,
or Call 402-691-1513
What? NE ASTA YOUNG ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL
When? Saturday May 6, 2006, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00
p.m.
Where? UN-L
Who? Middle and Junior High (grades 6-9) string
orchestras, full orchestras, solos and small ensembles are
welcome.
Bring your students to a positive performance
opportunity. The ASTA Festival for Young Orchestras will include
qualified judges'
written comments, and a short clinic following Orchestra performances.
Orchestras perform in the beautiful and inspiring Kimball Hall.
Solos and chamber music will also be critiqued by experienced judges,
providing important feedback for personal musical growth. The trip
to the UN-L campus can be augmented by including a trip to
the capital, or to a favorite restaurant, like "Rock 'n Roll
Runza!"
Get your bus, and get on board! Plan now to attend the May 6th, 2006 ASTA Festival for Young Orchestras!
Application is due April 15, 2006. Send to:
Debbie Martinez
Director of Orchestras
Millard North High School, Millard North Middle School
1010 S. 144 St.
Omaha, NE 68154Questions? E-mail djmartin@mpsomaha.org, or Call
402-691-1513
Festival for Young Orchestras
American String Teachers Association
UN-L - Lincoln, May 6, 2006
School _________________________
Director Name____________________
School Address___________________________________________________
Conductor's address, phone, email
_______________________________________________________________
Check
events to be entered:
FULL ORCHESTRA _______:
RATINGS ____ CRITIQUE ____ BOTH ____
STRING ORCHESTRA _____:
RATINGS ____ CRITIQUE ____ BOTH ____
Selections to be played: (Title and composer )
FULL:
1. _______________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________
STRING:
1.________________________________________________________
2.______________________________________________________________
3.______________________________________________________________
Number of Rehearsals per week ____ Rehearsal Length_________
Equipment needed: No. of chairs: _____ No. of stands _____
Check Percussion needed ___ Bass Drum ____ timpani ____piano
____other
Solo and Small Ensemble:
Please include no. of students in each ensemble.
Soloist / Ensemble Music Title Composer/Arranger
________________ ___________________ _____________________
________________ ___________________ _____________________
________________ ___________________ _____________________
________________ ___________________ _____________________
________________ ___________________ _____________________
________________ ___________________ _____________________
________________ ___________________ _____________________
________________ ___________________ _____________________
________________ ___________________ _____________________
(photocopy or use additional paper as necessary)
Send FORM, FEES (checks made out to ASTA), and SEATING CHART
to:
Debbie Martinez, Director of Orchestras, Millard North High
School, Millard North Middle School, 1010 S. 144th St., Omaha,
NE, 68154
Full Orchestra: $60.00; String Orchestra: $35.00; Solo/Small
Ensemble: $ 5.00
DEADLINE: April 15, 2006
MONUMENTAL FIDDLING CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Eighteen fiddle players, and one violist, form Colorado, Iowa, Kansas,
Missouri, and Nebraska, competed on Saturday, May 28 in the 7th
Annual Monumental fiddling Championship in Beatrice, Nebraska,
at the National Homestead Monument. The Homestead Monument, the
Nebraska Arts Council, and the Nebraska American String Reachers
Associaiton co-sponsored this event, and awarded cash prizes. and
trophies. A violin ourfit form Rohn violin Shop in Seattle, Washington
was also awarded. For more informaiton about next year's contest,
contact the Homestead nation Monument of America at 402-223-3514.
The winners of thisyear's contest are as follows:
Junior Division
First Place-Riley Metz, Axtell, Kansas
Second Place-Zachary Dull, Lincoln, Nebraska
Third Place-Sue Jennings, Omaha, Nebraska
Senior Division
First Place-Joe Fedrizzi, Dearborn , Missouri
Second Place- Jim Christensen, Clarinda, Iowas
Third Place-Joey Argo, Maryville, Kansas
Lefthanded Fiddler-Joey Argo, Maryville, Kansas
Youngest Fiddler-Exra Fike, age 6, Willow Springs, Missouri
Oldest Fiddler-Kathy Wood, age 60, Omaha, Nebraska
THE ORCHESTRAL INSTITUTE AT CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY
R&M Artist-productions, a company that puts on educational workshops, represents artists, and sets up concerts, etc is starting an orchestral instituet this year a t Creighton University form July 31-August 5. The program will focus on classical soloist and orchestral skills. The transitions to orchestra performance cna be challenging for a young artist. This workshop will help them master these new skills.
For more information, log on to the website a
www.artitst-productions.com, or contact Ruth Meints at meints@earthlink.net
STUHR MUSEUM FOLK FEST 2005
The event was a huge success...Stuhr broke all previous gate records...over 2500 people. There was one hitch with our sound quy starting heis period and getting into it with a Shuhr employee and walking off the job...this occurs at 8 am with the show starting at 10. Linda and I just swallowed and prayed. At 10 he is still having a tizzy fit and I have an audience sitting on hay bales waiting for some action, so I picked up my baby and starting fiddling my heart out on the grass. All I had up at this point was a stage...no sound was even up at all. Soon aft Mr. personality started doing his job, he had 2 hours worth of work to do at this point. My fiddlers showed up and we all started in playing, the Langes (Sophie & Barbie, studnets of Mischa Johnson and Greenblatt & Seay) showed up and we just all fiddles on the grass. The audience loved it, bless their souls. By noon we were back on schedule and hte show was a hit. We had quite a nice variet, country bands, celtic, classic rock, fiddling, whistling (I will never hire another whistler again...)...harmonicas, folk...it was great. Wild Clover was awesome and Heidi Hilligas (a graduate of the Klein/Ellenwood music program in Kearney) was great to watch. She broke a string, but she handled it lkie a pro. I had one of my 6 year olds up on stage to open them up and Dave (Klein) accompanied her on his mandolin on "Old Joe Clark."
The Stuhr Museum in conjunction with the Grand Island Daily Independent
is gearing up for its 3nd Annual Heartland Heritage Festival
June 3-4 2006. 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 3 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 2006!!
TRAILS & RAILS FIDDLE CONTEST RESULTS
Dottie Ladman, NEASTA Presidnet, won her first fiddle contest in
Kearney! The LIncoln violist won the Senior Division, which was
for folks who have played for more than five years (but who's counting...).
Ryan Segur (fiddle student of Deborah Greenblatt), from Pacific Junciton, Iowa, won the Junior Division, and impressed evertone with his showy performance of Milk Cow Blues. And gues what Ryan did to celebrate? He bought a viola.
ARONOFF MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Max Aronoff Viola Institute web site now has the information
for the 2005 Festival that will be held June 26-30, 2005. (www.viola.com/aronoff )
The MAVI Festival is a unique musical experience of inspiration,
refreshment and new ideas for all string players. The curriculum
includes chamber
music, audition preparation, master classes, performance opportunities,
technical seminars, and orchestral literature studies. The low
participant-faculty ratio ensures a personalized course of study
with MAVI's internationally-trained
faculty.
The Festival offers three areas of study:
Pre-College Violas (age 14-18)
College/Adult Chamber Music (violinists, violists, cellists - age 18 and up)
Professional/Graduate Audition Studies (violinists, violists, cellists, by audition - age 18 and up)
The Aronoff Chamber Music Series is presented during the
Festival and features traditional and innovative chamber
music performed
by international artists
who also serve as faculty members for the festival.
Visit the web site (www.viola.com/aronoff) for further information
and to print a brochure and application -- or email mavijramee@aol.com.
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 award 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); 2004: Aleta Collier (private)
ad Anne Frame (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_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
"Waterfalls Waltz", by David A. Sunderman, Sidney, Iowa
Third Place Winner, 3nd Annual
Nebraska ASTA Fiddle Tune Composition Contest
Waterfalls Waltz was submitted to the NEASTA Fiddle Contest our of
due respect for all the inspriational players and reachers out there.
If Waterfalls Waltz had lyrics they would be aobut passion for someone
or something. this passion would encompass all the qualities of waterfalls,
exhilarating and free falling wiht no turning back. Thank you for
the opporutnity to preset the piece. Enjoy!
"No Hope" bu Roy A Patchell, Lexington, Kentucky
a Mixolydian Hornpipe
THINK MTV
MTV: Music Television (http://www.mtv.com/)
has announced the launch of its new pro-social initiative, think MTV, which is designed to inform and empower young people to take action on social issues.
As part of its effort to encourage its audience to become more proactive in their communitites, MTV has teamed up with Youth Venture (www.youthventure.org/), a movement of youth social entrepreneurs, to offer think Venture Grants to young people who are making a difference by creating and leading organizations, clubs, or businessses that address a need in their communities. Grants of up to $1,000 each will be offered each week to a group of young people with the most compelling and sustainable community service project concept in one of the five primary think MTV isue areas: discrimination, education, the environment, global issues, and sexual health
Grant recipients will also receive access to selected educational resources and tools from Youth Venture, including a Youth Venture Start-Up Kit; access to a national network of young "venturers" and a "venturers-only" website; and information about scholarships and speaking opportunities.
The program is open to groups of two or more individuals who are legal residents of the United States and at least thirteen years of age or older at time of entry.
Visit the Youth Venture website for complete grant program information.
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR 2006 ASTA NATIONAL ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL
Preparations are already under way for the 2006 National Orchestra Festival (NOF), to be held in Kansas City, Missours, March 8-11, 2006, as part of the ASTA National Conference. The NOF adjudicators are Gerald R. Doan, Gerald Fischbach, and Carol Smith. Clinicians for the festival are Joanne Erwin and Mark Russell Smith
Mark your claendar now and register early, as festival space is limited. For details and application forms, aas well as professional biographies of our outstanding adjudicators and clinicians, visit www.astaweb.com, click on "Conferences," and select "2006 National Conference."
©2005 ASTA with NSOA, Nebraska Unit, C. Ellenwood, Webmaster