In light of ongoing developments with COVID-19, and after thoughtful discussions with ASTA’s Board of Directors and collecting member feedback, ASTA has decided to move our 2021 National Conference to a fully online, virtual experience that will take place Wednesday, March 3, to Saturday, March 6, 2021.
One of the greatest strengths of ASTA is the scope of its membership. We not only serve the private and public school educators but our organization services the private studio teachers, Suzuki private teachers, professional and amateur chamber musicians, performing symphony musicians, and university and college instructors.
Dear MASTA members, I am writing to give some updates on the MASTA board. We have some departures and some new appointments that I’d like to share with you. Allie Holden will be leaving as membership chair to take on a leadership role in MSBOA. For the past five years Allie has done an excellent
The 30th annual MASTA Chamber Music Festival was held virtually this year due to the pandemic. Eight student groups submitted videos and received online coaching from Katri Ervamaa, Kathryn Votapek, and Aaron Berofsky. Students also participated in an enrichment class with Melissa Knecht. The winning ensemble of the 30th annual MASTA Chamber Music Festival Virtual
By Joe Harmsen This past year looked a little different than most. Plans were altered or cancelled, masks were worn, and large gatherings were avoided by most in order to do our part against the all-too-familiar pandemic. For those of us in “summer school”, this meant that college courses were moved completely online. Last summer,
The 20th biennial MASTA Solo Competition was held online November 1, 2020. Guest competition judges were two principal members of the Toledo Symphony: Kirk Toth, Concertmaster and Amy Cheng, assistant principal cello. The judges decided to award two gold and two silver prize winners this year, due to the high level of competition participants. Gold
Over the past few weeks, MASTA members were offered the opportunity to participate in a virtual performance. Spearheaded by Jonathan Glawe of Ann Arbor Public Schools, teachers all over the state practiced and recorded their parts to Sleigh Ride via Upbeat Perform. Upbeat Perform is a new software that allows musicians to record themselves playing
It’s time to vote for the MASTA Teacher of the Year. In 2014, our organization began alternating this award between studio teachers and classroom teachers each year, and this is the year to award a classroom teacher. Voting is open until January 4, 2021. Please read about each candidate below, and then cast your vote
MASTA is proud to present the 2020Michigan Solo Competition Competition Guidelines & Entry Form
By Janis Peterson The Marquette Symphony sponsors a summer Chamber Strings group (affectionately called Summer Strings) that just couldn’t survive without making music this year. Music was scanned so each player could have their own stand, masks were worn, and sidewalk chalk x’s were drawn 7 feet apart. The group had one rehearsal, and the
by Joe Harmsen Ah, summer. For teachers, it is a time of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. While I certainly made time for these endeavors, my summer did not start out that way. Instead of sitting on a beach with a book and drink of choice in hand, I spent many long hours reading thousands of
Candace Chappell, MASTA Notes Editor, Ann Arbor Public Schools After about 6 weeks of online teaching with roughly 6 weeks to go, members of MASTA gathered online on Friday, May 1 via Zoom. The meeting was created and organized by Michael Hopkins, MASTA President-Elect. The topic of discussion: online teaching and learning. Teachers of all
