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Congratulations to our 2026 Award Winners!

Most Outstanding Student Chapter: The Ohio State University

Most Improved Student Chapter: West Virginia University

Student Exemplary Service Award: Andrew Kales, Grand Valley State University

Student Exemplary Service Award

The Student Exemplary Service Award is designed to recognize and reward college string students who distinguish themselves as active members and supporters of ASTA while in college. In order to be eligible for the award, a student must complete each of the following activities:

ASTA Membership

• Be an active member of ASTA each year while enrolled in college.
• Have at least one year of demonstrated leadership within that college’s ASTA student chapter. Examples of demonstrated leadership include such things as being a chapter officer or chairing a committee within the ASTA student chapter.
• Attend at a least one ASTA National Conference as a college student.

Participation

• Attend at least 75 percent of the string-related activities (i.e., concerts, master classes, workshops, etc.) at your college.

Assistance

• Provide some form of assistance to your college’s string program on at least four occasions. Examples of such assistance may include performing in string ensembles beyond the minimum requirements, volunteering to help at a recruiting event, helping to maintain the orchestra library, contributing to the string department’s website, assisting with an on-campus event for pre-collegiate students, etc.

Outreach

• Participate in an outreach program at least four times at a local school program. Outreach programs may include such things as performing or presenting on a string-related topic for school children, helping a school string program to recruit new students, or helping with a solo and ensemble day.

Service to the ASTA State Chapter

• Directly assist the ASTA state chapter at least once. Direct assistance may include contributing to the state chapter’s newsletter or website or helping to run an ASTA event at the state level.

Upon completion of the above tasks, the student must complete the Student Exemplary Service Award Application, obtain all necessary documentation, and submit online.

Successful applicants will be awarded a certificate at the ASTA National Conference and featured on ASTA platforms. For application deadlines, check the ASTA website at www.astastrings.org.