[MASTA] ASTACAP or SAT or Both?

[Diane L. Winder]

Dear MASTA , 


Below find an intriguing and compelling invitation from a Michigan musical partner organization-the Michigan Music Teachers Association (MMTA). I met recently with MMTA President Garik Pedersen , MMTA Student Achievement Testing (SAT) Chair Diana Munch and the MMTA Membership Chair to discuss possible collaboration around a statewide student solo adjudication process. MMTA is asking for a few MASTA studio teachers looking for performance outlets for their students to think creatively (way out of a box) with MMTA members. One possibility is to meet once or twice (at a central location TBD ), then continue "talking" via email. See what you think! This is a conversation starter. Look for more details in the next MASTA Notes . Let Diana Munch ( dianamunch @comcast.net) and MASTA Studio Teacher Director Melissa Knecht ( mknecht @ hillsdale . edu ) know your thoughts! 


Enjoy more summer! 
DWinder , President, MASTA 


- - - - - 
August 2013 


Dear MASTA Members, 


MASTA is exploring, in tandem with the Michigan Music Teachers Association ( MMTA ), an exciting opportunity, which may benefit studio teachers and students of both organizations. While MASTA has just begun considering the merits of ASTACAP , its impressive, nationally based adjudication process for studio teachers and students, MMTA (the Michigan branch of the Music Teachers National Association) has also been reviewing and re-energizing its own solo string adjudication process - the Student Achievement Test (SAT). In recent conversations with your MASTA President, we wondered if there would be interest in collaborating and/or integrating efforts around a statewide string solo adjudication process. For information about ASTACAP , which is used in about 12 states, see: 
http :// www . astaweb .com/Public/Member_Resources/Certificate_Advancement_Program/Public/Member_Resources/ ASTA _Certificate_Advancement_Program. aspx ? MemberResources =1& hkey =d8aeac5a-20cf-47f6-b414-bc3ad2d2acdc . 


MMTA's parallel testing process, SAT with Handbook and String Tests, is written by and for Michigan studio teachers. MMTA is in the process of updating and revising these resources to reflect current string teachers’ and students’ needs and approached MASTA for possible partnership. I am the current SAT coordinator for MMTA , a job I was happy to take on because I really believe in the value of this program. My students have participated in Student Achievement Testing since 1980, and it has helped all of them to become better, better informed, well-rounded musicians. Currently, five of my former students are college music majors. They have told me that their participation in the SAT was excellent preparation for music school. Specific tests, written by Michigan MTA members for our Michigan students, are available for piano, strings, woodwinds and voice. All students (K-12) are tested in Performance, Technique, Sight-Reading, Aural Awareness as well as Theory. Information is available about the holistic SAT program www . michiganteachers .org . MMTA is affiliated with Music Teachers National Association. www . mtna .org . Note that the ASTACAP , strictly performance-based process, does not include sections for sight-reading, aural awareness and theory. 



As I see it, we have an exciting opportunity for our two organizations to work together to create a testing program that will benefit private teachers and students in both ASTA and MMTA . We are looking for interested MASTA volunteers to work with a small MMTA team to 1) explore joint opportunities and 2) assist with revision/updating of the string MMTA SAT exams. Please let me know by 1 September if you are ready to join this team to investigate this new and valuable partnership! 
Sincerely, 

Diana Munch Diane L. Winder, 
MMTA SAT Coordinator President, MASTA 
dianamunch @comcast.net dianelwinder @ hotmail .com 
248-356-1274 734-487.4380 
-- 

Department Head, Department of Music & Dance 
Professor of Cello 
Eastern Michigan University 
N-101 Alexander Music Building 
Ypsilanti, MI 48197 
734.487.4380 O 
734.487.1421 Studio (354 Alexander) 
734.485.6939 FAX 
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