The 2012 American String Teachers Association (ASTA) held its national conference in Atlanta, Georgia on March 21-24. The opening ceremony featured acclaimed arts advocate and keynote speaker Eric Booth, as well as a performance by the Starling Chamber Orchestra directed by Kurt Sassmannshaus. The Robinson Guitar Ensemble, led by Scott Siefried, performed for the Exhibit Hall Grand Opening and Reception. In addition, the Atlanta Symphony performed on Thursday and Friday evening, the 2012 National High School Honors Orchestra, conducted by Ryan McAdams, performed on Friday night, and the string fusion-ensemble “Barrage” performed on Saturday night.
The vibrant conference included over 180 sessions devoted to string performance and teaching. The exhibit hall featured over 100 exhibitors, showcasing instruments and string industry products. The National Orchestra Festival showcased fourteen high-school orchestras from around the country. The Eclectic Strings Festival exposed students and teachers to a variety of musical genres.
Masterclasses were held at the pre-collegiate, collegiate, and multi-level age groups. Shenandoah University offered undergraduate and graduate credit in conjunction with ASTA’s national conference. In addition, ASTA provided professional development documentation for teachers.
The next national ASTA conference will be held in Providence, Rhode Island February 27-March 2, 2013. For more information visit www.astaweb.com.
ASTA Awards
Artist Teacher Award: Paul Rolland (posthumously)
Elizabeth A.H. Green School Educator Award: Anne Guevara
Isaac Stern International Award: Pinchas Zuckerman
National String Project Consortium Award: The South Georgia String Project at Valdosta State University, Lauren Burns, Director
Traugott Rohner Leadership in the Music Industry Award: Jeff Van Fossen
Emergent String Researcher Award: Joshua Russell
Most Improved ASTA Student Chapter: The Mansfield University (PA) student chapter
