AMERICAN STRING TEACHER May 2014 | Volume 64 | Number 2 • Musical Satellites: Utilizing a Student’s Kinesthetic Learning • Achieving an Artistic Violin Vibrato • It’s All About What Shift You Are On . and more! Plus: 2014 National Conference Keynote Address by Doris Gazda American String Teachers Association Rachel Barton Pine, a longtime ASTA supporter and member, accepts www.astaweb.com the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of violinist Maud Powell at the 2014 Special Merit Awards Ceremony and Nominees Reception on January 25 in Los Angeles, California. Donʼt Miss Next Year’s Conference! SLC teaser ad 2015 ASTA National Conference March 18-21, 2015 Salt Lake City, Utah Attention Studio Teachers Coming in Fall 2014: A astacapBrand New ASTACAP Program! Keep checking astaweb.com for details. www.astaweb.com | 3 4 | American String Teacher | May 2014 AMERICAN STRING TEACHER CONTENTS May 2014 | Volume 64 | Number 2 Features Achieving an Artistic Violin Vibrato: Applications of Research to the Classroom 18 Vibrato is an essential musical element in string instrument playing that enhances and facilitates expressive performance. However, the acquisition of a beautiful vibrato remains one of the most difficult skills for a young string player to obtain and for instructors to teach. There are many reasons that vibrato is a difficult skill to master. by Rebecca B. MacLeod Musical Satellites: Utilizing a Student’s Kinesthetic 28 Learning to Develop Intonation and Left-Hand Technique for Violinists and Violists From the earliest years of my life, music moved me—quite literally. If I would hear music, any music, I would dance. When given the opportunity to choose an instrument in public school, I chose the viola. What I did not realize, nor did my teachers at the time truly understand, was that for the next 18 years I would be fighting a losing battle with this instrument that I loved so dearly. by Christine Placilla It’s All About What Shift You Are On Universal shifting pattern blocks can be a tremendous aid in performing and understanding all 34 major scales and their parallel harmonic and melodic partners. They also serve as a vehicle for mastering the double bass fingerboard. by Bill Scott Viola Forum: What does it mean to be a mentor? 44 This year, I contacted several prominent violists, who are both artist performers and hold faculty positions at the university level, to find out who they saw as their influences and why they made such an impact. Also, I was eager to hear how they are mentoring the next generation of violists. by Nancy Campbell Cello Forum: Introducing the Bach Suites 48 My first in-depth experience with the Bach Suites happened in college under the expert guidance of David Wells, a protégé of Diran Alexanian. Alexanian’s cerebral interpretation of each resulted in two books: A massive, intricately detailed treatise on cello technique, and a bizarre-looking version of the suites. by Cornelia Watkins www.astaweb.com | 5 AMERICAN STRING TEACHER CONTENTS May 2014 | Volume 64 | Number 2 Columns Special Inspirations 58 2014 ASTA National 8 by Donna Sizemore Hale Conference Recap Message from the President by Bob Phillips 64 Reprint of 2014 National 12 Conference Keynote Teaching Tips Address by Doris Gazda Preparing to Purchase: Pointers to Ensure a 86 Positive Experience Summer Conference/ by Katarzyna Bugaj 66 Workshop Directory Mission Statement The American String Teachers Association promotes excellence in string and orches- tra teaching and playing. ASTA pursues its mission through: • 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 70 to string teachers and players String Teachers Association (ASTA). 4155 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 76 String Industry Council to ASTA members; the annual subscription price is included in membership dues ($107). POSTMASTER: Send address changes Reviews to: American String Teacher, 4155 Chain 78 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. Membership Application No article or editorial matter in AST may 72 be photocopied or reprinted without 74 Volunteer Leadership Directory written permission from ASTA. Visit www. 84 Advertisers’ Index copyright.com for more information. 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 | May 2014 www.astaweb.com | 7 Inspirations by Donna Sizemore Hale ASTA Board of Directors President • Bob Phillips 17175 Burkshire Dr. Reflections Grand Haven, MI 49417 [email protected] President-Elect • Stephen Benham Duquesne University The association is still abuzz about the amazing 2014 conference in Louisville. Mary Pappert School of Music One of the major factors that contributed to the excitement of this year’s 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15282 [email protected] conference was the record number of students in attendance. Throughout the Past President • Kirk Moss social events, sessions and concerts, you could feel the enthusiasm shared by 912 S. Kernan Ave., Appleton, WI 54915 the newest generation of string teachers. Many were attending their first ASTA [email protected] conference, and a number attended as chapters after spending months raising Secretary • Rebecca MacLeod UNCG School of Music, PO Box 26170 funds to attend. I was personally inspired when I spoke with them about their Greensboro, NC 27402 hopes and dreams for the future of the profession. [email protected] Member-at-Large • Deb Perkins At this same event, we heard from string legends Doris Gazda and Robert 4825 N Meadow Ridge Circle, McKinney, TX 75070 Culver about the early years of ASTA and how much the association has grown [email protected] over time. In many ways, it was symbolic for the Opening Ceremony to feature Member-at-Large • Joseph Conyers true icons of string teaching and to see the youthful faces in the audience 1420 Locust St., #26G, Philadelphia, PA 19102 [email protected] listening to them with awe and respect. Doris and Robert are the true pioneers of Member-at-Large • Jim Palmer our profession, dedicating their lives to making a difference in music education 2041 Signal Ridge Chase, Kennesaw, GA 30152 and paving the way for generations to come. [email protected] Member-at-Large • Natalie Colbert I got the sense during those four days in Louisville that our future pioneers 3947 N Stratford Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30342 are dedicated to carrying on the mission upon which ASTA was founded. Every [email protected] child who wants it should have the opportunity to learn a string instrument. It is String Industry Council President • Haig Avsharian dangerous to think this is a given. We all know that while there are many vibrant SHAR Music 2465 S Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 and engaging programs all across America, there are still too many under-served [email protected] areas where the idea of an orchestra is just a dream. Now is the time to recommit Publications Chair • Judy Palac ourselves to the goals that Doris and Robert talked about, and we need even Michigan State University, 203 Music Practice Building 345 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI 48824 more students to join us in Salt Lake City. [email protected] Registration for Salt Lake will open this summer, and we encourage Executive Director • Donna Sizemore Hale student chapters to again pool their resources and take advantage of the special ASTA National Office 4155 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030 student chapter rate of $99 per student when young people attend in groups [email protected] of seven or more. We also hope that state chapters can provide assistance to the American String Teacher student chapters in their states. As evidenced in the strategic plan, the board Editor • Mary Jane Dye fully recognizes that developing the next generation of string teachers is a major Critical Articles Editor • Mary Wagner association priority. Louisville was just the beginning. Conference attendance is Reviews Editor • Marg Schmidt Design and Layout • Sky Henderson one of the ways we can inspire and support young teachers and college students Advertising Representative • David Lusterman as they launch their careers. Salt Lake is such an amazing place. Its simple, elegant • Correspondence Subscriptions, change of beauty is timeless—just like the amazing music you make each and every day. address (send mailing label), individual issues, billing, membership, and other business matters As Abraham Lincoln once said, “The best thing about the future is that it should be directed to the ASTA National Office, 4155 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030; tel. comes only one day at a time.” That means we can all start today. Seek out the 703-279-2113; FAX 703-279-2114; Email: young teachers and string students in your area.