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Welcome

Welcome to the Tennessee Chapter of the American String Teachers Association. We are an organization committed to advocacy for education in the performance of violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, and harp. Our membership includes private and public school teachers, professional performers, luthiers, amateur players, and university students and teachers. To become a part of our growing and exciting Tennessee string community, please visit http://www.astaweb.com/membership.htm.

Coming Events

Seeking Student Involvement...

Students of the string profession are an extremely important resource to help us pursue ASTA's mission. Do you know of a college or university that could benefit from the creation of an ASTA Student Chapter? If so, please send information to kari@astaweb.com. ASTA is currently offering special incentives for starting new Student Chapters.

We also have another great deal for student members to become active in the 2008 National Conference. This is a great place to get student ASTA members together and involved. To encourage this, we offer complimentary student registration to the conference in exchange for volunteering at least 16 hours. More information can be found on our website or by contacting Deanna at (703) 279-2113, ext. 24 or deanna@astaweb.com by February 8.

Schoolhouse Fiddle Camp

There are still a few openigs left in the July, 2008 Schoolhouse Fiddle Camp, in the Old Avoca Schoolhouse, in Avoca, Nebraska. Deborah Greenblatt, championship fiddler, author of many fiddle tune collections, will help the campers get in touch with their inner fiddler. The course of study during the Schoolhouse Fiddle Camp will be designed specifically for the individual campers who sign up. Campers will improve their skills in the following areas: picking tunes for contests, performing in public, practice techniques, reading music, playing by ear, playing for dancers, back-up fiddling, arranging twin fiddle pieces, and jamming. Fiddling styles include bluegrass, Cajun, Irish, Klezmer, old-time, and newly composed tunes.

Fiddle Camp for Intermediate/Advanced Fiddlers is Monday, July 14 - Friday, July 18. Each day is scheduled from 9 AM - 1 PM.

Registration is available on line at www.greenblattandseay.com. For more information, contact Deborah Greenblatt at g-s@alltel.net.

Sincerely,
Debby-in-the-Schoolhouse
http://www.greenblattandseay.com

Tennessee Arts Commission Funds are still available through two Arts Education grant categories:

Teacher Incentive grants provide professional development funds for arts specialists, classroom teachers, roster teaching artists, and school administrators to attend arts integration training or opportunities that will benefit their career. Funds may be used as reimbursement for travel and/or registration fees as well as stipends. Training may include in-state, out-of-state, or international opportunities. Maximum request is $1000. Application deadline is at least 30 days before the PD opportunity begins.

Grant Guidelines may be accessed at

www.arts.state.tn.us/guidelines/fy08/guidelines_ae-ti_fy08.pdf

Arts Education Mini-Grants provide funding for one day or short term projects utilizing one of the Commission's approved Artists-in-Residence. Applicants may include schools, school systems, and 501(c)3 organizations. Maximum request is $1000. Application deadline is at least 30 days before the project start date.

Grant Guidelines may be accessed at

http://www.arts.state.tn.us/guidelines/fy08/guidelines_ae-mg_fy08.pdf

F. Michael Combs
Executive Secretary-Treasurer and
Publications Editor for the
Tennessee Music Education Association
865 573-2994; fax 865 577-9584
http://www.tnmea.org

The mission of TMEA is: To promote the advancement of high quality music education for all.

The Certificate Program is a framework for the graded periodic assessment of the string instrument student's technical progress and musical development. Through the program, students earn Certificates of Achievement as they complete each level of competency. The program is designed to encourage and motivate students, and to recognize their progress. It is open to all students, preschool through adult.

Certificate Program for Strings Exams will take place on July 21, 2008 at the Music Academy in Crossville. Examiners will be Melissa Allen, Violin/Viola; Dan Allcott, Cello/Bass. Students of ASTA members are eligible for participation in the exams. Please contact Melissa Allen for further details or visit http://www.tnasta.org/TNASTACertProg.html for more information.