ASTA Student Chapter Information

The American String Teachers Association promotes excellence in string and orchestra teaching and playing.  
ASTA pursues its mission through:
an open sharing of ideas;
benefits, services, and activities responsive to the needs of all members;
development strong state leadership and chapters;
enhancing the image and visibility of string teaching and study;
advocacy for string education; and
an inclusive community of string teachers and players.


Formation of a Student Chapter
Planning an Organizational Meeting

1. Appoint or request a faculty sponsor who is a current member of ASTA to help plan a meeting and to serve as advisor for the chapter.
2. Select a date and time when most students will be free and likely to come to a meeting.
3. Select a convenient location at your school. Your sponsor will be able to assist you in this.
4. If possible, the meeting should include a short program of good string music or an interesting
   speaker. This will help attract a more diverse group of string students. Be sure to leave ample time
   for an organizational discussion.
5. Invite by mail, bulletin board, email, or telephone, all string players (violinists, violists, cellists,
   bassists, guitarists, and harpists) and all other potential members who may be interested in
   teaching strings and orchestra. Carefully outline the program and purpose of the meeting.
6. Invite any local members of ASTA, faculty and professionals, as well as members of any nearby
   student chapters. They should be able to contribute their ideas and own experience.

At the Meeting

1. Have all who attend sign a registry. After the program, invite them to stay for the organizational meeting.
2. Discuss benefits of having an ASTA chapter.
3. Distribute membership forms.
4. Collect membership forms, proof of student status, and checks for new members only.
5. The faculty sponsor should take nominations for officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, and
   Treasurer.
6. Appoint committee chairs now or at the second meeting. Committee chairs may include
   membership, social, newsletter, and community outreach.
7. Name your chapter (usually the name of your university).
8. Establish a chair and committee to draw up a constitution and bylaws. Samples of both are included
   in this handbook.
9. Establish a date, time and place for the next meeting, at which time a proposed constitution and
   bylaws may be presented, and election of permanent officers may take place.

Before the Second Meeting
The committee assigned to write the proposed constitution and bylaws should:

•   Establish the offices of the chapter, including job descriptions.
•   Provide for a regular review of the officers.
•   Define what elections are to be held and when offices are to change hands.
•   Establish enough officers to ensure an active and healthy chapter.
•   Consult with ASTA state officers. Obtain a copy of their constitution. You may find information of great value to your chapter.
  At the Second Meeting

1. The chair of the constitution and bylaws committee should present the proposed constitution and bylaws for membership review and ratification. A final and ratified copy may be forwarded to the National Office.
2. Election of officers should take place.
3. The secretary/treasurer should continue to accept membership applications and fees for new
   members and forward to the National Office.
4. Hold a brainstorming session. Place and prioritize all ideas on a list for further and future comments. Set a date to meet with committee members to assign meeting dates, activities, and projects.
5. Send a flier announcing the next meeting and program to all members and post it on the school activity bulletin board, or email a reminder.
6. A healthy chapter sponsors its own events. However, do not neglect the possibility of cooperative projects with other student organizations or with the ASTA state chapter.

Future Meetings

1. ASTA chapter meetings provide time to make music with friends and to become involved in the world of string and orchestra teaching and playing.
2. Keep the national ASTA chapter liaison informed of your local activities.
3. Send chapter news and photos to the chapter liaison at the National Office.
4. Since the financial needs of each chapter vary, it is recommended that these needs be identified
   early in the year. Suggestions for fundraising projects should be solicited from the membership, and plans to implement a project should be well established.

Suggested Student Chapter Activities
Based on chapter reports, the items below are successful activities and projects that ASTA student members have sponsored.
Musical Meetings

1. Informal chamber orchestra music reading sessions.
2. Informal chamber music concerts.
3. Sharing chamber music with the community (i.e., school, library, civic group, senior center or
   church).
4. Organizing a series of noon concerts (informal/bring your own lunch).
5. Assisting with high school or middle school festivals.
6. Assisting with high school or middle school sectionals, rehearsals, or concerts.
7. Appearing as guest soloists at school programs.
8. Helping an elementary teacher demonstrate instruments at a recruiting event.
9. Volunteering as ushers at local symphony or chamber concerts.
10. Running an orchestra rehearsal with student conductors and students playing on secondary
    instruments.
11. Practicing teaching skills by teaching others.

Social Meetings

1. Breakfast: rap sessions or string/orchestra discussion.
2. Lunch: reserve a table for ASTA members at a local cafeteria. Invite faculty, guest clinicians or
   artists, and teachers to come and talk informally.
3. Serve refreshments following a workshop or demonstration concert.
4. Host a reception after a string concert to honor soloists or chamber musicians.
5. Host a party after an orchestra concert.
6. Have a pizza party, volleyball game, etc.

Projects
1. Volunteer to assist with summer music camps.

1. Organize or assist at an orchestra festival or solo and ensemble festival.
2. Visit, observe, or volunteer in the local school string programs.
3. Visit a luthier to talk about string maintenance and selection of instruments for you and potential
   members. Become acquainted with new accessories and equipment.
4. Attend a music conference. Visit the instrument displays to become better informed on student
   lines.
5. Publish a student chapter newsletter for members of your chapter.
6. Develop a student chapter web page and link to the national site.
7. Promote and be an advocate for music education

Sponsor

1. Invite guests: public school teachers, studio teachers, symphony members, or a college conductor. Each person could talk about their current position in regard to job description, preparation time, rehearsal or lesson time, paper work, salary, benefits, contract length, etc.
2. Form master classes for area school string and orchestra programs. Popular guest speaker topics include:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

1. Host a middle school string festival for students with two and three years of experience.
2. Sponsor a forum of public school teachers to share their expertise and answer questions.
3. Sponsor talks by faculty or community teachers on Suzuki/Rolland/Alexander methods.
4. Have a fundraising event.
5. Provide side-by-side opportunities for younger string players to sit and play with your members.
6. Host a reception honoring music faculty and classmates.
7. Sponsor a series of semi-formal recitals.