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String Synergy:

Sparking Artistry, Innovation, & Connection

Reenergize your performance and teaching.

The 2025 ASTA National Conference online submission process will open to accept session and string research poster proposals April 15, 2024.

• Session Proposals will be accepted through June 3, 2024 at 11:59 PM PDT.
• String Research Poster Proposals will be accepted through Monday, October 14, 2024 at 11:59 PM PDT.

Please read ALL requirements and guidelines prior to submitting your proposal.

Have a question about submitting? Email meetings@astastrings.org.

Session Proposal Guidelines

1. Sessions will be presented live at the national conference in Atlanta, GA, between March 19-22, 2025. All presenters are expected to register and attend the conference in person to present.
2. The committee will not accept session proposals that are solely performance based or those that promote individual commercial products. 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.
3. Music Industry Showcase Sessions (sessions promoting commercial products) are available for purchase and must be reserved separately. Music Industry Showcases are NOT handled through this platform. To learn more, please contact ellie@carldunn.com.
4. You can learn more about how sessions are reviewed by the ASTA National Conference Committee HERE.

Session Proposal Artifacts to Prepare for Submission

Presenter(s) Information

• ASTA Membership Email Address
• Name, Contact Information, Professional Institution
• Years of Professional Experience
• 2-4 Professional Service Activities that best represents your expertise in the topic area of the proposal to be selected from (non-self-identifying, within the last 3-7 years. For example:

In-service, Workshop, Conference, and other Professional Development presentations (i.e. MMEA 2023)

Conducting, Clinicing, or Adjudicating events (i.e. All-District Orchestra Adjudicator, 2022)

Performances and Professional Activities (i.e. Soloist, Kansas City Philharmonic – October 2023)

Master Class Clinician (i.e. Peabody Conservatory 2021)

Guest Lecturer (i.e. University of Nevada-Reno, 2020 – virtual)

Publication and Content Creation (i.e. American String Teacher, 2022)

Practical Application Projects/Presentations (i.e. Grant Funding Coordinator, 2023)

• Have you presented at an ASTA National Conference or Virtual Summit prior to the 2025 National Conference?
• Eligibility to Submit Acknowledgement
• Additional Presenter Information

Session Information

Because these submissions are reviewed in a blind, peer-review process, DO NOT include your name or any other identifiers (such as school, teaching location, or others), including any Personal Identifiable Information (PII) within the content of the proposal.

• Session Title (5-10 words)
• Marketing Description (50-75 words)
• Abstract (250-300 words)
• Learning Formats (select one)
• Primary and Secondary Focus Areas (select two)
• Primary and Secondary Topic Areas (select two)
• Target Instrument(s) (select all that apply)
• Demonstration Group Information
• Session Room Needs
• Idea Exchange Poster or Webinar Offering

Learning Formats

Learning formats support a range of instruction that give attendees the option of choosing different content, materials, and methods that match their objectives.

Each session block will be 45 minutes. If you wish to leave time for questions, please include that time in your 45-minute time allotment. For Express Talks, there will be two presentations placed in each presentation block; a 15-minute presentation with a 5-minute Q&A.

• Express Talk (20 minutes) – A TED style talk given by 1 person that explores a single idea with practical teaching or performing tips, projects or state/student chapter ideas to exchange.
• Listen and Learn (45 minutes) – A blend of lecture-based instruction, interaction, and case studies
• Learn and Play (45 minutes) - Hands on learning experience with the speaker; attendees are encouraged to bring their instruments to participate
• Panel Discussion (45 minutes) – A facilitated conversation with a group of experts and the audience (REMINDER: All panelists are presenters and must be submitted in the proposal)
• Demonstration Group (45 minutes) – Watch and learn with a group focusing on skills (demo group size limits apply; the presenter must provide their own demonstration group)
• Idea Exchange Poster (45-minute poster session) - An opportunity for presenters to share incredible ideas with colleagues in a poster format.  Presenters and attendees will be able to converse, connect, and engage through the poster topics
• Pre-Conference Workshop (5 hours) – Held 12:00 – 5:00 PM on Wednesday, March 19, 2025; provides intensive education in a small class setting

Primary and Secondary Focus Areas

What is the focus of the content in your proposal? The conference committee aims to provide a program that serves the needs of ASTA’s diverse community of string teachers.

Presenters are required to pick two focus areas of their proposed sessions: one as the primary area for the proposed session and a second as a secondary area:

• Collegiate/University - Content covers pedagogy, instructional topics, teacher preparation, and research relevant to higher education professors, performers, and conductors.
• Community Music – Content covers topics relevant to community music programs, such as youth orchestra programs, El Sistema, New Horizons, and other community-based ensembles.
• Conducting – Fosters community and ASTA identity for members whose primary teaching duties are conducting university, professional, and honors ensembles; identifies needs and trends of membership conducting, provides resources for the development and refinement of conducting skills, and submits content ideas for consideration.
• DEIA - Content covers topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and exceptionalities in terms of the people and environments in string teaching and learning.
• Eclectic Styles – Content covers topics related to teaching eclectic or multi-style music, including but not limited to fiddle, rock, jazz, mariachi, and all world music.
• Emeritus – Content is directly related to opportunities and topics for retired and senior ASTA members, such as transitioning into retirement, financial planning, and opportunities to continue to contribute to the profession.
• General – Theory, copyright, advocacy, entrepreneurship, mentoring, ASTACAP, non-string players teaching strings, and non-classroom-based technology.
• School Orchestra – Content covers pedagogy, instruction methods, classroom management, rehearsal strategies, repertoire, classroom-based technology, and other topics relevant to public/private school teachers.
• Student – Content covers topics relevant to university/college student attendees who are working toward becoming string teachers and performers (school, studio, performers, scholars), such as completing music degrees, finding employment, or attending graduate school.
• Studio & Chamber Music – Content covers pedagogy, instructional methods, repertoire, and administrative tasks relevant to private studio instructors.
• Wellness - Content covers topics relevant to the health and wellness of string teachers, students and players, including but not limited to body mapping, metal health, teacher and student productivity

Primary & Secondary Topic Areas

The following is a list of sample topics for sessions to consider for the summit or conference.

• Adjudication
• Advocacy
• Arranging and composing
• Audition prep and college applications for teachers and students
• Beginner, intermediate, and advanced instrument techniques (including musicianship)
• Body awareness, physical wellness, performance anxiety, & injury prevention
• Chamber music
• Community engagement/outreach for youth and adult programs
• Conducting
• Curriculum
• DEIA/Social Justice
• Eclectic Styles
• Engaging warm-ups and rehearsal strategies
• Grant writing and funding ideas
• Improvisation
• Inclusion/accessibility
• Individual, group class, and classroom teaching and assessment strategies
• Instrument purchase, repair, and maintenance
• Marketing/promotions
• Mental/emotional health for teachers and students
• Pedagogy, including secondary instruments and string instruments for secondary string teacher/player
• Repertoire and Teaching Materials
• Research Applications
• Student motivation and leadership
• Teacher and program recruitment & retention
• Teaching in specific locations: rural, town, suburban, urban
• Technology (LMS and teaching aids)

Notifications for Session Proposals will be sent in September 2024.

You will be notified via your ASTA Membership Email Address, so make sure that your email address is correct in the proposal application.

Questions? Email meetings@astastrings.org