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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


Certificate
Certificate Program Exams

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 April 24, 2010 at the UT Knoxville music building and on June 28, 2010 at the Palace Theatre in Crossville. Examiners for the Knoxville exams will be, Wei Tsun Chang Violin, Seanad Dunigan Chang Viola, and Wesley Baldwin, Cello/Bass. Examiners for the Crossville exams will be Susan Eddlemon, Violin/Viola and 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.


String Teacher Needed Fall 2010:
Maryville High School

Maryville High School is currently taking applications for a String Orchestra Director. The Maryville High School Orchestra Director is responsible for teaching string orchestra students grades 9 - 12. The classes will be meeting on an AB modified block schedule for the first time next fall. Enrollment in the MHS Orchestra programs is currently 140 students. The orchestra performs four major concerts per year (Fall, Holiday, Winter Pops, Spring - featuring senior soloists). Students are encouraged to audition for Junior Orchestra Clinic (9th grade) and Senior Clinic (10th-12th grade). Each year the MHS Orchestra places students in the Tennessee All-State Orchestra. Private lessons are encouraged as well as summer camp experiences and other clinics. A close working relationship between the high school orchestra and musicians from the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and University of Tennessee has provided many extra learning opportunities for the students.

Responsibilities of the director include the planning and teaching of the high school orchestras, participation in ETSBOA events, scheduling, budgeting, inventory, and participation with music boosters. For the past two years, the high school director has been involved in team-teaching with the Maryville Middle School Orchestra Director and with the MHS Band Director in teaching music theory to advanced students.

Maryville High School is located in beautiful Maryville, Tennessee approximately 10 miles outside Knoxville. The school system includes 4 elementary schools (K-4th), an intermediate school (5th-6th), a middle school (7th-8th), and a high school (9th-12th). Students begin string orchestra instruction in the 5th grade and continue through the 12th grade. The school system employs three full-time orchestra directors that work closely together to plan an appropriate curriculum. The Maryville Orchestras routinely earn the highest ratings at festival and continually have a high number of students participate in Festivals. Private lesson teachers are very supportive of the program and are able to teach private lessons to orchestra students during the school day.

Interviews will take place at the beginning of May. Applications are due by April 30. Please contact Bill Robinson at wnrobins@ci.maryville.tn.us if you have questions or would like more information.

Application Process and Salary Information may be found at:

http://www.maryvillecityschools.k12.tn.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=11105

Southeastern String Orchestra Festival
University of South Carolina

Dear Orchestra Director:

We are very excited to host the First Annual Southeastern String Orchestra Festival this coming September (23-25), 2010 and are hoping that you will apply to bring your top string orchestra to join us. Our main goals are to inspire young musicians, and increase their awareness of the talent that is in our field.

We are now accepting applications (as we have a limitation of approximately 100-120 musicians) to be a part of this festival. The best part is that there is No Cost to participate. The only cost that you will incur is for travel and hotels. We will provide a list of hotels that are both close to town, or slightly outside that include breakfast upon acceptance to participate.

For a detailed schedule of events CLICK HERE. The Second Annual Donald Portnoy International Violin Competition will take place that same weekend, and your students will be able to observe the finals. Also, USC Symphony will perform its first concert of the 2010-2011 season on that Thursday evening, featuring violinist Rachel Barton Pine. Tickets will be provided free of charge for those participating in the festival.

As you can see on the next page, we have a lot planned and believe this will be a tremendous inspiration for your students going forward. Please feel free to e-mail us with additional questions, and wešll get back to you as soon as possible:

Dr. Donald Portnoy, Director of Orchestras: dportnoy@mozart.sc.edu
Mr. Neil Casey, Assistant Director of Orchestras: ncasey@mozart.sc.edu
Charlene Rackley, Administrative Director: charl@mailbox.sc.edu
Or call at: (803) 777 -7500
Hope to hear from you soon-

Donald Portnoy
Neil Casey
Charlene Rackley


Asta Logo
Opportunities for Students and
Student ASTA Chapters

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.



Funds Available for Career Development

NSPC


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.