Join a Committee or Editorial Board
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Want to Be Part of Shaping ASTA's Future?
Committees and Editorial Boards offer guidance to ensure our programming addresses the needs of a variety of groups and interest areas.
Committee Information and Applications
General time commitment: 1-2 hours per month
Applications will be accepted each year. The window will open in the early spring and close April 15.
Notifications will be sent in May.
Term length for Spring 2024 applicants: July 2024–June 2026
Qualifications for all committees:
- ASTA individual membership (professional, dual, senior, or student)
- Demonstrated interest and knowledge in subject area
- Willingness to serve and actively participate in calls and online
- The knowledge and skills to contribute
- Demonstrated leadership and communication skills
- Willingness to engage with new ideas
- It is recommended that committee members attend the ASTA National Conference
Questions? Please contact asta@astastrings.org.
Committees
Advocacy Committee
The ASTA Advocacy Committee focuses on:
- identifying potential threats to string education
- formulating proactive strategies to help string teachers to promote string playing and teaching their local communities
- preparing our members with tools to collect data, communicate with decision-makers, and understand political processes
- providing resources for proactive advocacy, messaging, and for responding to crises
ASTACAP Committee
Provides guidance and information pursuant to establishing a successful ASTA Certificate Advancement Program (ASTACAP) program at the local and national level. Committee members are professionals and instructors involved in the private studio, K-12, or university vocation with demonstrated interest and knowledge of the private studio profession.
College Committee
The College Committee provides support primarily for ASTA members who work in higher education, and for ASTA members preparing pre-college students for university string programs. The committee engages in the following activities: organizes and presents Collegiate Roundtable sessions for the ASTA National Conference and ASTA Virtual Summit; develops webinar, videos, and articles with content related to teaching and other topics relevant to the ASTA collegiate community; and participates in screening of proposals for the National Conference.
Community Music Committee
Serves our members involved in youth orchestras, community and civic ensembles, outreach programs for youth and adults, and connects in all ways string music learning and teaching is immersed in the communities in which we serve.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Advances ASTA’s strategic initiatives in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Advises the board and works with other committees to ensure the engagement and representation of all members of the string community in ASTA programs and services.
Eclectic Styles Committee
The ASTA Eclectic Styles Committee advocates for intentional and meaningful inclusion of eclectic styles in string learning and teaching, and curates resources for the classroom, the studio, and the local jam session. We identify and work to eliminate challenges to the inclusion of eclectic styles in all string curriculums and contexts. The committee is responsible for selecting Eclectic Styles sessions and presenters for the National Conference, the Committee Roundtable, Virtual Summit, webinars and quarterly Town Halls.
Emeritus Committee
The ASTA Emeritus Committee, in conjunction with ASTA board and committees, serves the needs of the retired members of ASTA through outreach. In addition, the Emeritus Committee will help bridge retired and active members to support the profession.
K-12 Committee
Fosters community and ASTA identity with the K-12 string education community; organizes and holds annual K-12 conference meeting; submits content ideas for consideration; reviews National Conference K-12 presentation submissions; identifies the needs and trends of the K-12 community; selects annually the Elizabeth A. H. Green School Educator award.
Mentorship Committee
Provides guidance and support for the ASTA Mentor Program. Participates in mentor/mentee matching, facilitates mentor training, and communicates with and assists program participants. Produces resources when necessary to support and advance the program for meeting the needs of the string community as outlined in ASTA’s strategic plan.
Research Committee
Gathers and analyzes data in relationship to string education; reviews research requests submitted for permission to survey ASTA membership; determines which surveys ASTA will circulate within the membership for participation; selects award winners.
Student Advisory Committee
(ASTA Student Members ONLY) Helps engage and grow the string college & university student community; represents the needs of string students; provides guidance on current topics, trends, and specific focus areas; selects award winners.
Studio Committee
Fosters community and ASTA identity with the private studio community; organizes and holds annual private studio roundtable meetings at national conference and virtual summit; submits content ideas for consideration; identifies the needs and trends of the private studio community; reviews National Conference private studio presentation submissions; produces appropriate webinar/eLearning content when requested.
Wellness Committee
Provides content specifically for the musical health of string teachers and players. Annually submits session topics and ideas for conference proposal submissions. Annually submits journal article for consideration. Identifies current topics/trends specific to musical health. Writes, solicits, and identifies content with a focus on online content.
Editorial Boards and Music Review Committee Information and Applications
American String Teacher (AST) Editorial Board
The award-winning American String Teacher (AST) journal is published quarterly, keeping members up to date on the string profession through feature articles, teaching tips, music reviews, and association and industry news. It is available to ASTA members as a benefit of membership—the annual subscription price is included in membership dues. Non-members may purchase subscriptions and single-issue copies of the journal through SAGE Publishing. The AST Editorial Board focuses on the content of the quarterly AST journal.
Purpose and Tasks
All work is done virtually.
- Review and provide feedback on submitted feature articles and teaching tips.
- Make article topic recommendations in collaboration with the Editor and Associate Editor of the AST Editorial Board and the Content Development Committee.
- Write and submit at least one journal article (feature or teaching tip) for consideration.
- Solicit article submissions.
- Participate in virtual meetings as needed.
- Collaborate with AST Editor, Associate Editor, and ASTA staff.
AST Editorial Board Qualifications
ASTA individual member with:
- Demonstrated interest and knowledge in content area.
- Strong writing skills and interest in peer review.
- Willingness to serve and actively participate in online article review and committee calls as needed.
- Capacity to serve.
- Demonstrated leadership with strong communication skills.
- A willingness to engage in new ideas.
- Proficiency in technology.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Willingness to represent diverse membership segments including background, generational, and geographic.
Term
July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026 (2 years)
- July 2024 – Editorial Board Call
- July 2025 – Editorial Board Call
- Ongoing – Review submitted articles as assigned
- Ongoing – Write and solicit articles per discussed topics
American String Teacher (AST) Music Review Committee
Provides reviews of music and materials for the American String Teacher journal that helps educators make informed purchases.
General time commitment: 1-2 hours per quarter (3 months)
Applications will be accepted biannually. The window will open in the early spring and close April 1.
Notifications will be sent in May.
Term length: 2 years (will open again Spring 2025)
Benefits of being an AST Music Reviewers
- Publication of your reviews in quarterly issues of American String Teacher!
- Keep the music and books that you review!
- Professional development and service to our broader string teaching community!
Purpose and Tasks
All work is done virtually.
- Select music and books that you would like to review from list of offerings by ASTA String Industry Council members for review
- Compose reviews to provide insights and professional perspective to fellow ASTA members. Reviews are meant to be useful, thoughtful, and tightly written – usually 250-300 words.
- Maintain communication, follow guidelines, and meet deadlines to assist the AST Music Reviews Editor, Assistant Editor, and ASTA staff
AST Music Reviews Committee Qualifications
ASTA individual member with:
- Demonstrated interest, knowledge in content areas, and capacity to serve.
- Strong writing and communication skills with a proficiency in technology.
- Willingness to serve and actively participate in committee calls/communications as needed.
- A willingness to provide insights about the materials reviewed to AST readers.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Willingness to represent diverse membership segments including background, generational, and geographic.
Term
July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025 (2 years)
- Ongoing – Review requested materials as assigned; submit reviews for publication
String Research Journal (SRJ) Editorial Board
The String Research Journal (SRJ) is an official peer-reviewed publication of original research related to string music teaching, learning, and performance. Its purpose is to encourage and improve scholarship and research within the string education profession and to disseminate the results of this work to the string and larger music teaching communities. It is available to ASTA members as a benefit of membership—SRJ issues are available for all ASTA members online and print copies may be purchased through the ASTA website.
Purpose and Tasks
All work is done virtually.
- Review and provide feedback on submitted scholarly manuscripts.
- Solicit article submissions.
- Review proposals for research poster sessions at the ASTA National Conference and Virtual String Teachers Summit.
- Participate in virtual meetings as needed.
- Collaborate with SRJ Editorial Chair and ASTA staff.
SRJ Editorial Board Qualifications
ASTA individual member with:
- Documentation of sustained research activity in the areas of string playing and teaching.
- Strong writing skills and interest in peer review.
- Willingness to serve and actively participate in online article review and committee calls as needed.
- Capacity to serve.
- Demonstrated leadership with strong communication skills.
- A willingness to engage in new ideas.
- Proficiency in technology.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Willingness to represent diverse membership segments including background, generational, and geographic.
Term
July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2030 (6 years)
- July – annual Editorial Board Call as needed
- Ongoing – Review submitted articles as assigned
- Ongoing – Review submitted research posters as assigned
Appointed Committees
Content Development Committee
Advises the work of ASTA committees involved in content development (including K-12, Studio, Collegiate, Eclectic Strings, Research, Journals) to facilitate the production of resources that meet the needs of the string community as outlined in ASTA's strategic plan. Identifies top knowledge trends and, if needed, develops unique content for ASTA.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee shall be variable in number and shall consist of at least a minimum of three Officers. The Immediate Past President/Treasurer shall serve as the Chair, and the two remaining Officers shall be appointed by the President. The Nominating Committee may include any other Directors or non-Directors, as the Board of Directors may select, if any. The Committee shall recommend candidates for the Board of Directors and Offices of the Association as necessary.