AmericAn String teAcher August 2011 | Volume 61 | Number 3 Back-to-School Issue • Strategies for Improving the Tone Quality of Your Orchestra • Teaching Double Bass for the Non-Bass Teacher and more! PLUS: String Industry Council Directory American String Be inspired this back-to-school season by stretching your artistic abilities. Emanuel Vardi was an acclaimed performer, pedagogue, and champion of the viola. His art career developed parallel to his Teachers Association musical career when he was seven years old. The painting above is called, Baroque Largo. www.astaweb.com www.astaweb.com | 3 4 | American String Teacher | August 2011 AmericAn String teAcher contentS August 2011 | Volume 61 | Number 3 Features Strategies for Improving the Tone Quality of Your Orchestra 26 This article will describe strategies that are commonly used to improve the tone quality of orchestras. Many of these strategies can be used at all levels, from elementary to the college level, as developmental or remedial strategies. Some will be more appropriate to use with younger students, some with older students. by Michael Hopkins Bass Forum: Double Bassics: Teaching Double Bass for the 30 Non-Bass Teacher We must be well versed in the techniques of all the string instruments in the orchestra. Yet, our level of comfort with all the instruments varies. As pre-service teachers begin to develop their playing skills on each of their non-native string instruments, it seems that the double bass often receives the least amount of instruction. by Anthony Stoops and Charlene Dell An Interview with Bassist Larry Hurst 40 Over the years, I have spent many hours listening to Larry Hurst talk about performing and teaching music and always found it to be instructive as well as inspirational. My hope is that you will find these words of wisdom as valuable as I have. by Bob Phillips The Influence of Gestalt in Paul Rolland’s Theory of Pedagogy 46 An important aspect of learning to play a stringed instrument is the acquisition of skills. These skills enable the performer to play at a high technical level, thus providing the tools and freedom to express the music. This article shows how Paul Rolland incorporated the principles of Gestalt Theory into his violin pedagogy. About the cover: Permission by Ingrid Kovacs to use Emanuel Vardi’s painting, Baroque Largo, on our cover was graciously Get Your String Class Up and Running in 10 Minutes or Less given by his widow, Lenore 54 The start of any string class presents many obstacles that can prevent a Vardi. It will be two years rehearsal from running smoothly. More often than not broken instruments, this coming January since he passed away at age 95. To stuck pegs, broken bows and out-of-tune instruments can prevent a teacher see more beautiful paintings from beginning a rehearsal. Establishing effective procedures for a string from this acclaimed class can be a difficult task, but such procedures are absolutely essential in performer, pedagogue, and ensuring a well-run rehearsal. champion of the viola, visit www.vardiart.com. by Brian Verdi www.astaweb.com | 5 www.astaweb.com | 5 AmericAn String teAcher contentS August 2011 | Volume 61 | Number 3 Columns Special Inspirations 22 Awards and Citations by Donna Sizemore Hale 10 37 Einstein and His Love of Music Message from the President National Conference Preview by Kirk D. Moss 60 14 Music Education Policy Roundtable Teaching Tips K-12 68 Ways to Do More than Just Survive Your First Year of 74 String Industry Council Directory 98 Teaching by Rebecca Tast Mission Statement The American String Teachers Association promotes excellence in string and orches- Studio Teaching Tips tra teaching and playing. ASTA pursues its Teaching Tips from Paul Rolland mission through: 100 by Mary Alice Rich • an open sharing of ideas; • benefits, services, and activities respon- sive to the needs of all members; My Turn • development of strong state leadership YouTube Symphony Sydney, Australia: A Mind-Blowing and chapters; 102 • enhancing the image and visibility of Experience string teaching and study; by Kathleen McCullough • advocacy for string education; and • an inclusive community of string teach- ers and players. Departments American String Teacher (ISSN: 0003- 1313) is published quarterly by the American String Teachers Association Association News (ASTA). 4155 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Award and grant announcements, new VA 22030. Periodicals postage paid at 16 publications, and other association-related Fairfax, VA and additional mailing offices. information American String Teacher (AST) is available exclusively to ASTA members; the annual subscription price is included in membership Notes dues ($99). POSTMASTER: Send address News of people, places, and events of interest to changes to: American String Teacher, 4155 84 string teachers and players Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030. Showcase POLICY: As the primary means of profes- sional communication of ASTA, the Ameri- 90 The latest news from members of the can String Teacher represents and reflects String Industry Council the mission of the association. It is not the intention of AST to promote or endorse Reviews any particular person or commercial prod- Of books, music, software, and videos uct. The ideas and opinions expressed are 92 those of the writers and not necessarily those of ASTA or AST. ASTA reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. No article or editorial matter in AST may be photocopied or reprinted without Every Issue written permission from ASTA. Visit www. copyright.com for more information. 72 Committee Spotlight: ASTA Publications Committee Membership Application POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 86 American String Teacher Journal, 4155 Volunteer Leadership Directory 88 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030. Advertisers’ Index © 2011 by American String Teachers 99 Association. 6 | American String Teacher | August 2011 6 | American String Teacher | August 2011 www.astaweb.com | 7 8 | American String Teacher | August 2011 www.astaweb.com | 9 Inspirations by Donna Sizemore Hale ASTA Board of Directors President • Kirk Moss Lawrence University Conservatory of Music 711 E. Boldt Way ASTA Partners with MENC Appleton, WI 54911 [email protected] President-Elect • Bob Phillips Recently I attended an event where a community leader and friend, 12695 Lakeshore Dr. who is well aware of my own passion for music education, asked me: Grand Haven, MI 49417 What do you believe is the most pressing issue music education faces? [email protected] I think my answer surprised them a little. They were expecting me Past President • Jeffrey Solow 7914 Park Ave. to say, “Budgets, budgets, budgets.” While we all agree that budget Elkins Park, PA 19027-2629 shortfalls will continue to threaten programs, our biggest threat [email protected] remains the narrowing of the curriculum, an unintended consequence Secretary • Benjamin Whitcomb 1408 Stacy Ln. of the current Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-2819 The threat is very real and the stakes are high. [email protected] Schools are spending more and more time preparing students for Member-at-Large • Brian Lewis 411 W. Saint Elmo Rd., Apt. 43 tests and assessments in reading and math. This is leaving less time for Austin, TX 78745 art, music, physical education, and social studies. If we cannot find a [email protected] way to address this issue proactively, this will affect our children and Member-at-Large • Lucy Manning our nation for many generations to come. If students do not have 5208 A Argall Ave., Norfolk, VA 23508 the opportunity to study music in schools, how will this affect their [email protected] Member-at-Large • Martin Norgaard participation in the arts later in life? What will happen to community 1938 Holly Hill Rd., Apt. 2 orchestras, community theater groups, and support for museums? Austin, TX 78746 [email protected] There are whole communities where music education in the Member-at-Large • Judy Palac schools could disappear. This is especially true in rural and urban areas. 102 Music Building, East Lansing, MI 48824 Imagine for just one moment thousands and thousands of kids who [email protected] never experience the joy of playing an instrument or singing in a choir. String Industry Council President • Ken Dattmore The challenges we all face make it essential that we work together. 6600 Orangethorpe Ave., Buena Park, CA 90620 ASTA has joined forces with MENC to create and foster an aggressive [email protected] and collaborative advocacy initiative called the Music Education Publications Chair • Marilyn Seelman 2075 Briarwillow Dr., Atlanta, GA 30345-3501 Policy Roundtable. MENC will spearhead this effort and over the next [email protected] few years we will be asking every music association and every music Executive Director • Donna Sizemore Hale educator to contribute resources to this effort. We want the roundtable ASTA National Office 4155 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030 to be a policy and advocacy group that helps to ensure that every [email protected] student has access to a well-rounded program of music education in our schools. American String Teacher What ASTA and MENC are creating together with the launching Editor • Mary Jane Dye of the roundtable will one day become a powerful policy force Critical Articles Editor • Mary Wagner Reviews Editor • Marg Schmidt both in Washington and in our communities. Over the next few Design and Layout • Sky Henderson years, we will be asking music educators from all disciplines to add Advertising Representative • Steve Wafalosky their support. ASTA and MENC met in July to begin tackling the • Correspondence Subscriptions, change of address (send mailing label), individual issues, monumental task of creating collaborations with any and all music billing, membership, and other business matters should be directed to the ASTA National Office, education organizations. And, we are going to need each and every one 4155 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030; tel.