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AMERICAN STRING TEACHER May 2008 | Volume 58 | Number 2 May 2008 In this Issue: Big Band Music for Strings? Therapy for Sight-Reading Woes ASTA announces its newest publication, Honey Bee’s Song, American String Teachers Association 2 now available for sale. Please see details on page16. www.astaweb.com AMERICAN STRING TEACHER CONTENTS May 2008 | Volume 58 | Number 2 Features and Forums A Totally New Concept…Big Band Music for Strings? 22 It has been 10 years since the National Standards became a reality and began to inÁ uence music instruction in the United States. by Charles “Bud” Caputo Therapy for Sight-Reading Woes 28 We have long recognized that Suzuki instruction can produce wonderful young performers. by Donald Watts Is That in Tune, Mr. Mozart? 32 As string players, we have all experienced situations where issues of intonation arise, but with no clear answers at hand. by Hasse Borup VIOLIN FORUM 36 Brahms and Joachim – An 1850s Comedy? It is touching to learn of the great mutual respect and affection that artists and potential rivals had for one another. by John A. Thomson Many Viewpoints for Many Sounding Points: 40 Approaching Francklin’s Quartet Considering all of the variables cumulatively responsible for “string sound color,” it is bafÁ ing on one hand, that the bow’s complete oeuvre of “sounding points” upon the string does not appear to be pedagogically formalized. by Jeffrey Levenberg www.astaweb.com | 5 AMERICAN STRING TEACHER CONTENTS May 2008 | Volume 58 | Number 2 Columns Special Inspirations 10 by Donna Sizemore Hale Sections 46 2008 National Conference Member2Member Summary 20 NC-ASTA’s Two-Day String Event 2008 Summer Conferences by Paul Antony-Levine and Megan Morris 54 String Project a la University of Texas at Austin by Judy Bossuat Teaching Tips 60 Patterns for Practice by Jennie Lou Klim Mission Statement The American String Teachers Association My Turn promotes excellence in string and orchestra 79 Music: the Liberating Art teaching and playing. ASTA pursues its mis- by Beth Eigenheer sion through: • an open sharing of ideas; • beneÀ ts, services, and activities responsive to the needs of all members; • development of strong state leadership and chapters; • enhancing the image and visibility of string Departments teaching and study; • advocacy for string education; and Association News • an inclusive community of string teachers 14 Message from the President, award and grant and players. announcements, new publications, and other American String Teacher (ISSN: 0003-1313) association-related information is published quarterly by the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). American String Teacher (AST) is available exclusively to Notes ASTA members; the annual subscription price is included in membership dues ($96). Known News of people, places, and events of interest to 62 ofÀ ce of publication is: American String string teachers and players Teachers Association, 4153 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030. Periodicals postage paid at Fairfax, Virginia 22030 and additional Showcase mailing ofÀ ces. The latest news from members of the String 68 POLICY: As the primary means of profes- Industry Council sional communication of ASTA, the American String Teacher represents and reÁ ects the mission of the association. It is not the Reviews intention of AST to promote or endorse any Of books, music, software, and videos particular person or commercial product. The 72 ideas and opinions expressed are 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 written permission from Every Issue ASTA. Visit www.copyright.com for more 64 ASTA Publications Library information. 66 Membership Application POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Leadership Directory American String Teacher Journal, 4153 Chain 70 Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030. © 2008 by 78 Advertisers Index American String Teachers Association. 6 | American String Teacher | May 2008 www.astaweb.com | 7 8 | American String Teacher | May 2008 ASTA Dates and Deadlines ASTA Deadlines Special Projects Grants applications postmarked by June 1, 2008 Potter’s Violin Instrument Awards applications postmarked by October 1, 2008 Solo Competition competitions completed by November 1, 2008 State solo competition chairs results into the National OfÀ ce by November 15, 2008 Alt Styles Competition applications by October 1, 2008 Research proposals for juried poster session at ASTA’s 2009 National Conference in Atlanta October 3, 2008 Save The Dates! 2009 ASTA National Conference March 19-21, 2009 Atlanta, GA * Exhibits * National Orchestra Festival * National Solo Competition 2010 ASTA National Conference February 17-20, 2010 Santa Clara, CA * Exhibits * National Orchestra Festival * National High School Honors Orchestra www.astaweb.com | 9 Inspirations by Donna Sizemore Hale ASTA Board of Directors President • Mary Wagner Advocacy in the Spotlight; 5833 Cove Landing Rd., #204 Burke, VA 22015 Keeping Music and Art Center Stage [email protected] President-Elect • Jeffrey Solow As many of you know, during the past year ASTA has placed an increased 7914 Park Ave. Elkins Park, PA 19027-2629 emphasis on advocacy – especially at the grassroots level. We have devel- [email protected] oped an online PowerPoint that can be customized for your local needs. We Past President • Robert Gillespie also recently completed our fi rst ever advocacy video which you can view at School of Music, Ohio State University 110 Weigel Hall, 1866 College Rd. the ASTA website or acquire for free at the national offi ce. As those of you Columbus, OH 43010 who attended the conference in New Mexico know, we have also off ered [email protected] several sessions on grassroots advocacy at the national conference. Finally, Secretary • Denese Odegaard thanks to NAMM, we have launched “Discovering Strings and Orchestra,” 3033 38 1/2 Ave. S, Fargo, ND 58104 [email protected] which introduces young children to strings at an early age to encourage Member-at-Large • Judy W. Bossuat them to join the school orchestra or pursue private lessons. 2913 Hempstead Way, Stockton, CA 95207 Many of you have asked me about ASTA’s eff orts at the national [email protected] level. Rest assured, we are working tirelessly to promote strings on the na- Member-at-Large • Beth Gilbert tional level both with the media and policy makers on Capitol Hill. Our 1928 E Calle De Caballos, Tempe, AZ 85284-2507 proximity to Capitol Hill lends itself to personalizing our eff orts from [email protected] face-to-face meetings to attending conferences in D.C. Member-at-Large • Lynn Harrell 1615 Hermann Drive Unit 1208, Houston, TX 77004 Just last month, ASTA was one of a handful of music associations to co- [email protected] sponsor “Arts Advocacy Day,” an annual two-day event on Capitol Hill which Member-at-Large • Kristin Turner highlights the importance of music and art on a national level. As a national 1708 N Morrison Rd., Muncie, IN 47304 co-sponsor we were able to include a letter to Congress on the importance of [email protected] music education. We attended the Congressional Arts breakfast and pertinent Publications Chair • Barbara F. Eads 9509 Rustic Gate Rd., La Porte, TX 77571-3997 sessions that focused on important issues now before Congress. [email protected] As a member of Americans for the Arts, we work with numerous as- String Industry Council President • Neil Lilien sociations like the League of American Orchestras and MENC to promote Meisel Stringed Instruments 32 Commerce St., P.O. Box 90, SpringÀ eld, NJ 07081 funding for the arts. Th is year the emphasis is on gaining approval for [email protected] $176 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and $53 Executive Director • Donna Sizemore Hale million to support the Arts in Education program at the U.S. Department ASTA National OfÀ ce of Education. Of course, we are also collaborating with our education and 4153 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030 music associations to ensure that when No Child Left Behind is fi nally [email protected] reauthorized, changes are made that are favorable to music and arts educa- American String Teacher tion. ASTA is a national signatory on “Arts Education: Creating Student Editor • Mary Jane Dye Success in School, Work and Life.” A summary of recommendations Articles Editor • Kristin Mortenson Reviews Editor • Marg Schmidt included in this document can be found at the ASTA website. Design and Layout • Sky Henderson We also continue working with other associations like NAMM Production • Corporate Press Advertising Representative • Steve DiLauro and MENC to promote music education. In April, we exhibited at • Correspondence Subscriptions, change of the MENC conference in Milwaukee. Th is month I will be attending a address (send mailing label), individual issues, billing, membership, and other business matters special Town Hall meeting in the D.C. area hosted by NAMM where should be directed to the ASTA National OfÀ ce, 4153 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030; tel. business leaders in the industry will share their perspectives with NAMM 703-279-2113; FAX 703-279-2114; Email: leaders. NAMM is to be commended for the continuing role it plays in [email protected]. promoting music education. Th ey provided funding for the Ad Council • Advertising Deadlines are: August issue—June 5; November issue—September 5; February campaign that many of you have seen on television: “Art: Ask for More.” issue—December 5; May issue—March 5. Inqui- ries should be directed to ASTA National OfÀ ce, In June we will be exhibiting at the National Performing Arts Conven- 4153 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030; tel. 703-279-2113; FAX 703-279-2114; tion which will continue to strengthen our partnerships with associations Email: [email protected].