AMERICAN STRING TEACHER August 2014 | Volume 64 | Number 3 Curbing Beginning String Attrition: Marketing Orchestra Why Music Education Matters in Academics: It May Not Be What You Think Common Technical Problems of the Young Cello Player, and How to Fix Them . and more! The Chelsea House Orchestra, directed by Jed Fritzemeir, is inspired by the support of American String their school district Superintendent Andrew D. Ingall. He traveled from Michigan to Teachers Association Louisville to hear them perform at the 2014 ASTA National Conference. (top photo: Ingall is third from right) www.astaweb.com Donʼt Miss Next Year’s Conference! SLC teaser ad 2015 ASTA National Conference March 18-21, 2015 Salt Lake City, Utah Attention Studio Teachers: A Brand New ASTACAPastacap Program! See page 74 for details. www.astaweb.com | 3 4 | American String Teacher | August 2014 AMERICAN STRING TEACHER CONTENTS August 2014 | Volume 64 | Number 3 Features Curbing Beginning String Attrition: Marketing Orchestra Low enrollment and massive attrition rates are significant factors in the stability and growth 22 of school orchestra programs. Small program size may result in many musical and nonmusical challenges, including thin instrumentation, lack of class differentiation in student performance level, and a weak position for program justification. by Angela Ammerman and Brian Wuttke Why Music Education Matters in Academics: It May Not 26 Be What You Think As much as I’d like to believe it, I’ve always been a little dubious about research citing music instruction as a causative factor of positive outcomes in other areas of life. The “Mozart Effect,” ill-conceived as it was, took on a life, and an industry, of its own. by Gregg Goodhart Rehearsal and Performance Guide: Prelude from Grieg’s 32 ‘Holberg’ Suite From Holberg’s Time: Suite in Olden Style, op. 40, is a canonical work for string orchestra. Its unique blend of Baroque and Romantic sensibilities, viewed through a Scandinavian perspective, has proven irresistible for performers and audiences alike. by Mark Laycock An Interview with the ASTA Artist Teacher Award 38 Winner Paul Kantor You already know his formal background, let’s move on to some personal and insightful reflections from this year’s ASTA Artist Teacher award winner. Interviewed by Mary Jane Dye Common Technical Problems of the Young Cello Player, 40 and How to Fix Them Year after year and all around the world, youngsters learning to play the cello seem susceptible to the same basic problems. What follows is a list of many of these problems along with suggestions for fixing them. by Benjamin Whitcomb Chamber Music Forum: 44 An Introduction to the String Quartets of Ben Johnston Ben Johnston’s enigmatic string quartet cycle constitutes a milestone in 20th Century chamber music. But his works are rarely performed. While the compositions’ thorny rhythms are likely a deterrent for many performers, what ultimately keeps this music out of the repertoire is Johnston’s bold exploration of pitch and harmony. by Sharan Leventhal www.astaweb.com | 5 AMERICAN STRING TEACHER CONTENTS August 2014 | Volume 64 | Number 3 Columns Special Inspirations 52 ASTA String Industry Council Directory 8 by Donna Sizemore Hale 61 Preview of the 2015 ASTA National Conference Message from the President 68 The 18th ASTA National Solo Competition by Steve Benham by Jeffrey Solow 12 72 Protect Yourself: ASTA’s Professional Studio Teaching Tips Bridging the Great Divide Liability Coverage 92 by Katie Gustafson 74 ASTACAP Expands to Serve Additional Students K-12 Teaching Tips by Nancy Bargerstock Developing a Quality Orchestral Sound: 94 It Begins With a Quality Warm-up by Christopher Jannings Mission Statement To enrich lives through the joy of teaching and playing stringed instruments. • an open sharing of ideas; • benefits, services, and activities respon- sive to the needs of all members; • development of strong state leadership Departments and chapters; • enhancing the image and visibility of Association News string teaching and study; Award and grant announcements, new publications, • advocacy for string education; and • an inclusive community of string teachers 14 and other association-related information and players. Notes American String Teacher (ISSN: 0003-1313) News of people, places, and events of interest is published quarterly by the American 78 String Teachers Association (ASTA). 4155 to string teachers and players Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. Periodicals postage paid at Fairfax, VA Showcase and additional mailing offices. American The latest news from members of the String Teacher (AST) is available exclusively 84 to ASTA members; the annual subscription String Industry Council price is included in membership dues ($110). POSTMASTER: Send address changes Reviews to: American String Teacher, 4155 Chain 86 Of books, music, and software Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030. POLICY: As the primary means of profes- sional communication of ASTA, the Ameri- can String Teacher represents and reflects the mission of the association. It is not the intention of AST to promote or endorse any particular person or commercial prod- uct. The ideas and opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of ASTA or AST. ASTA reserves the Every Issue right to refuse advertising for any reason. No article or editorial matter in AST may 80 Membership Application be photocopied or reprinted without Volunteer Leadership Directory written permission from ASTA. Visit www. 82 copyright.com for more information. Advertisers’ Index 95 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to American String Teacher Journal, 4155 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030. © 2014 by American String Teachers Association. 6 | American String Teacher | August 2014 www.astaweb.com | 7 Inspirations by Donna Sizemore Hale ASTA Board of Directors President • Stephen Benham Duquesne University Reflections Mary Pappert School of Music 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15282 [email protected] President-Elect • Brenda Brenner It is hard to imagine that the start of school is just around the corner. Everyone 3713 Devonshire Ct is busy planning their classes, preparing their studios, and getting ready to begin Bloomington, IN 47408 [email protected] recruitment for the new school year. ASTA is busy working to implement its new Past President • Bob Phillips strategic plan, which you can review on the website. 17175 Burkshire Dr. Grand Haven, MI 49417 One of the mainstays of our plan is reimagining the ASTACAP program. [email protected] Beginning this year, students and teachers from every state can use the program. Secretary • Kristen Pellegrino 4231 Woodbridge Way Through a new online review process, students can now be adjudicated by our San Antonio, TX 78257-5010 finest string teachers even if they live in a location where they cannot attend a [email protected] live event. States that are currently running successful events can continue their Member-at-Large • Deb Perkins 4825 N Meadow Ridge Circle, McKinney, TX 75070 outstanding service. At the same time, we can increase access to this program [email protected] through the use of technology. See page 74 for the complete details on program Member-at-Large • Joseph Conyers 1420 Locust St., #26G, Philadelphia, PA 19102 additions. [email protected] Students completing the program and its varying levels will become part of Member-at-Large • Jim Palmer 2041 Signal Ridge Chase, Kennesaw, GA 30152 a national database. In addition, they will receive increased recognition for their [email protected] work. Experienced adjudicators can apply to be part of the ASTACAP faculty. We Member-at-Large • Margaret Berg 9777 Jellison St also will be offering preconference training for string educators who are interested Broomfield, CO 80021-4269 in adjudicating both online and at live events at the national conference in Salt [email protected] Lake City next March. String Industry Council President • Haig Avsharian SHAR Music Look for more details in the fall 2014 or ask your state president for 2465 S Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 opportunities in your state. If you have questions, you can email [email protected]. [email protected] Publications Chair • Judy Palac We also are updating the ASTA String Syllabus as a complement to the program with Michigan State University, 203 Music Practice Building an expected release date of late 2014. 345 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI 48824 [email protected] We believe these expansions will enable more students and teachers to use Executive Director • Donna Sizemore Hale the program. We also see this as a way to better serve our studio teachers and ASTA National Office 4155 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030 strengthen the amazing string playing happening in communities across the [email protected] nation. We welcome your ideas and feedback as the program grows. American String Teacher Now is the perfect time to make your plans for Salt Lake City. This event Editor • Mary Jane Dye Critical Articles Editor • Mary Wagner will feature our first ever live finals for the National Solo Competition on Friday Reviews Editor • Marg Schmidt Design and Layout • Sky Henderson evening. Information for the Solo Competition can be found on the website. The Advertising Representative • Stringletter Publishing finals will be an interactive experience as conference attendees will be part of the • Correspondence Subscriptions, change of address (send mailing label), individual issues, judging process when they choose the new “Audience Favorite.” The complete billing, membership, and other business matters should be directed to the ASTA National Office, conference brochure will be ready in September 2014. 4155 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030; tel. 703-279-2113; FAX 703-279-2114; Email: Enjoy these last few lazy days of summer. [email protected]. • Advertising Deadlines are: August issue—June 5; November issue—September 5; February issue—December 5; May issue—March 5. Inqui- ries should be directed to ASTA National Office, 4155 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030; tel.