2 | American String Teacher | November 2012

Call for Sessions and Research PosterProposals

March 5 - 8, 2014Louisville, Kentucky

2014nationalconference

The ASTA Conference Planning Committee is seeking research posters and session proposals from the membership to be pre-sented at the 2014 National Conference. We are seeking ses-sions related to any aspect of teaching or performance repre-senting cello, double bass, guitar, harp, viola, violin, and the symphony orchestra. Commercial materials may be used in a session for educational objectives, but they cannot be used for promotional purposes. Taking orders or selling products during the session is prohibited. Sessions will fall into the categories of general, alternative styles, chamber music, K-12, private studio, and university. Most sessions are one hour in length and may be scheduled anytime during the conference starting at 7:00 a.m. or as late as 5:00 p.m. Learning labs will also be offered, they are 2 hours in length and may be scheduled at anytime.

Special Notes:1. The committee will not accept session proposals that are

sole performance based and those that promote individual commercial products.

2. Exhibitor Showcase applications (sessions promoting com-mercial products) are available through the exhibitor pro-spectus and must be reserved by the sponsoring company.

3. All applicants must be current members of ASTA at the time of application and also at the time of conference.

4. IMPORTANT: Session proposals and research posters will be submitted through an online submission process only. No paper applications will be accepted. Online software will be available to accept session information through March 22, 2013 and Research Proposals will be accepted until October 15.

Juried Research Poster Sessions (Submission Deadline: October 15, 2013)Juried Research Poster sessions differ from the regular edu-cation sessions. It is a great place for students or profession-als to present their research findings. There will be one day dedicated to research posters sessions, where you can leave your information on display for the conference attendees. There will be a one-hour time slot during this day, which you are encouraged to be available to answer questions. ASTA will provide you with one skirted table and one easel to present your findings.

Music Industry ShowcasesThese sessions are for promotion of commercial products and services. These sessions give you the opportunity to launch new products, market directly to a focused group for a one-hour block, and provide increased visibility for your product or service. Showcases are available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis and available to members of the String Industry Council. Members: please contact your company representative to have them reserve the showcase slot. Company representatives: please contact Beth Danner-Knight at beth@astaweb.com or use the exhibitor prospects contract to reserve your slot.

Sample Session Topics The following is a list of sample topics for sessions needed for the conference. All proposals will be considered and sent through an evaluation process.

Administrative Support (K-12) Advocacy Assessment (writing, documenting, reporting) Alternative Styles Chamber music Classical performance issues Community support Conducting Copyright issues Guitar or Harp (classical as well as K-12 teaching) Harp Improvisation Injury prevention Marketing your school or studio program Motivation Choosing appropriate literature and repertoire Practice Techniques Recruiting and retention of string students Rehearsal techniques Research related to pedagogy and performance String class pedagogy (elementary, middle level, sr. high) String maintenance (basic) Students with special needs Teaching rhythm Theory and composition Traditional pedagogy Training future string educators and performers University level topics Viola, violin, cello, double bass Working with the full orchestra

Online Submission ProcessTo submit your proposal for an education session or research poster, please visit the conference section of the ASTA website (www.astaweb.com) and click on the 2014 Call for Sessions. You will access the online submission process from this link. The online submission process will be available to accept your session proposals from December through March 22, 2013. Research Poster session applications will be accepted until October 15, 2013.

All session presenters and research poster presenters must be current ASTA members when submitting the proposal and at the time of the presentation.

All proposals must be complete. Proposals not meeting the guidelines will be rejected.

For additional information, contact:Deanna Tompkinsdeanna@astaweb.com

Invited performing group information can be found online at astaweb.com

Mary Wagner, Conference Chairmscello@cox.net

Call for Session ProposalsDue March 22, 2013;

Call for Research ProposalsDue October 15, 2013