The National High School Honors Orchestra needs additional applications for French Horn, Trombone, Trumpet and Timpani. High school students in all grades are eligible to apply.

The National High School Honors Orchestra (NHSHO) is a performing group of about 120 competitively selected high school musicians who assemble biennially to perform the highest quality orchestral repertoire under leading conductors. The 2010 National High School Honors Orchestra will be held in Santa Clara, California, February 16- 19, 2010. The NHSHO will perform Mahler's Symphony No. 1 in D Major, "Titan," under the direction of Maestro Scott Speck.

Repertoire

A solo of applicant's choice that shows off his/her caliber of playing ability. Solos should be a minimum of 5 minutes and a maximum of 10 minutes in length. All applicants are requested to include a copy of the solo with their applications to which the judges may refer. Applicants for the Timpani position MUST perform a TIMPANI solo.

Applications must be postmarked by October 1, 2009.

Applications (including application form, resume, CD/recording, and application fee of $75) should be mailed to:
Attn: NHSHO 4153 Chain Bridge Road Fairfax VA, 22030

For application, click here.

Questions or concerns: contact the ASTA National Office at 703-279-2113 x28 or libby@astaweb.com

Prize: $2,000
Submission Deadline: October 15, 2009

Downloads:

Official Guidelines

2010 Composition Competition Application (PDF)

 

Competition Rules: 
Composers are invited to submit an original, unpublished composition that is suitable for middle school/junior high or high school string orchestras.  Materials must be postmarked by October 15. Composer of winning composition will receive $2000. Upon publication, all royalties will remain the sole property of the composer.

Grade Level:  Grade 3, scored for String Orchestra (optional piano part permitted). Click Here to download the Difficult Level Criteria.

Length of piece: Single or multi-movement work – 3 to 6 minutes

Specifications:  Composition must reflect a Utah theme (history related, cultural background, geographic features, etc.)  Only one entry per composer will be allowed.  Each entry must contain the score plus a MIDI/audio recording.  The manuscript must not contain any identification of the composer.  The manuscript must be clear and legible and include the title and rehearsal numbers or letters.  String parts should be thoroughly edited with bowings and fingerings.

Application Components - Each application packet must include the following:

• Completed application form (see below)
• Four (4) copies of the score and one (1) set of parts are required.
• Application fee:  (Checks payable to Utah Chapter ASTA)
  • ASTA members - $25 (non-refundable)
  • Non-ASTA members - $35 (non-refundable)
    
• Composers should include a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage if score/recording return is desired at the conclusion of the competition.

Selection:  In the preliminary round all entries will be screened through score analysis and audio recording by a panel of judges.  If necessary, the judges reserve the right to arrange for a live performance of selected final-round entrants.  Only the winner’s name will be announced. If the judging panel concludes that none of the submitted compositions meet the specified criteria or quality expectations, Utah ASTA reserves the right to decline the award of a winning prize. Previous Utah ASTA Composition Competition winners will be eligible to re-enter the competition five years after receiving their award.

Premiere Performance:  We anticipate that the winning composition will be performed at the annual Utah Music Educators Association Mid-Winter Institute held February 2010 in St. George, Utah.

President’s Message 

String teachers are fortunate to be able to celebrate the “New Year” twice: once in January along with the rest of the world, and a second time as the new academic year begins. And so I wish you a “Happy New Year” as our students return to us, like swallows to Capistrano!

Our New Year is marked by some exciting news and achievements of our Utah ASTA students and members. Bassist Alexander Willey won the 2009 National Solo Competition in his division at the national ASTA convention in Atlanta, and two Utah students have been accepted for the 2010 National High School Honors Orchestra. Further, a number of UTASTA members and students have been accepted to present and otherwise take part in the 2010 national convention in Santa Clara next March, including the American Heritage Lyceum Orchestra from American Fork (see related stories in this Newsletter and at utasta.com).

In addition, UTASTA is sponsoring a number of upcoming events that promise to be of great importance to our members, including the 2009 Annual Fall Workshop (Saturday, November 7 at Ecker Hill MS in Park City) and the fourth annual Utah ASTA Composition Contest (deadline is October 15). So mark your calendars, spread the word, and plan to be a part of these events. For further information, see additional information in the Newsletter and at utasta.com

Despite all the good news, this particular “New Year” brings with it some particular trials, as we all try to navigate the backwash generated by the wake of the struggling economy. Financial constraints have caused many string programs in Utah to be altered, with a few sinking entirely, and I have heard anecdotally that the number of students seeking private lessons has diminished. Rather than causing us to wring our hands in despair, we have to remember that these conditions will be temporary – as economic fluctuations always are and always will be. In response, we may need to make adjustments to the way we do business, to the way we teach, and perhaps in some ways to our expectations. I urge the UTASTA membership to work closely with one another, in efforts to share ideas and strategies, and perhaps even to pool resources. And let us dare to think outside the box, remembering that “the way we’ve always done it” may not necessarily be the best way now. If you discover or develop ideas that are particularly useful, please get the word back to the UTASTA board. We’ll share the information on our website if at all possible.

Above all, remain optimistic! String playing and string education has survived worse than this – and we’ll all come out on the other side of these challenges better and wiser, too.

Best wishes for a wonderful year ahead! I look forward to seeing you in Park City on November 7.

Yours,
Andy

Andrew H. Dabczynski, Ph.D.
Professor of Music Education
Brigham Young University

President, UTASTA

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Ecker Hill Middle School, Park City, UT

8 AM – 5 PM

Clinics, master classes, coachings, performances, and more!
Details to follow!

Congratulations to our Utah students accepted to perform in the

2008 ASTA National High School Honors Orchestra:

Jasmine Harkness, violin – Lone Peak HS, Alpine

Rachel Taft, violin – Skyline HS, Salt Lake

Alexander Willey, bass – Pleasant Grove HS, Pleasant Grove 

The NHSHO performed at the 2008 ASTA National Conference in Albuquerque.

Congratulations to the dedicated teachers of these students: Kathy Wilson, LPHS; David Beck, PGHS; Adam Larsen, SHS

And many thanks to Utah NHSHO state coordinator, Jen Halverson, Alpine School District.

 

Recent Publications by Utah ASTA Members:

Andrew Dabczynski (Utah ASTA President)

"Themes from Handel’s Messiah” -- Handel/Dabczynski (Alfred)
“Shamrock Polkas” – traditional Irish/Dabczynski (Alfred)
“Hopak Dance” – traditional Ukrainian/Dabczynski (Alfred)
“Les Quebecois” – traditional French-Canadian/Dabczynski (Alfred)
“Andantino and March” – Elgar/Dabczynski  (Alfred)
Another addition to the Fiddler’s Philharmonic Series:  Basic Old-Time Fiddle Tunes (Alfred)

Robert Frost (Utah ASTA Past President; winner 2007 Utah ASTA Composition Competition)

"Galop from Petite Suite" -- Bizet/Frost  (Kendor Music grade 3)
“Finale from beethoven's Fifth"Beethoven/Frost  (Kendor Music grade 1+)
“Cable Car Crossing" Frost (Kjos grade 1)
“Niltshi, the Voice of the Wind" Frost (Kjos grade 4 ½)
“For Unto Us" Handel/Frost  (Kendor Music grade 3)
Holiday Strings Collection" Frost  (Kendor Music grade 1)  Duet & String Orchestra Setting

 

Deborah Baker Monday (winning composer in 2006 Utah ASTA Composition Competition)

"An Elizabethan Madrigal" (gr. 2, Kendor) -- Thomas Morley's popular work "Now in the Month of Maying" is presented  with an entertaining variety of voicings and textures.
"Night on Bald Mountain" ("Gr. 4, Kendor) -- Moussorsky's exciting tone poem (in a finely honed 5 minute version) scored for string orchestra in a rich setting utilizing various string techniques to produce orchestral color.
"Allegro Giocoso" (Gr. 3, Kjos) -- from Brahm's 4th symphony, true to it's playful, humorous character and very accessible to young players.
"Deux Danses de la Renaissance" (Gr. 2, Wynn/RBC) -- pairs the popular Basse Danse from Capriol Suite with an attractive "Branle" by Gervaise - wonderful energetic music frim this unique period of music history.
"Slavonic Legends" (Gr. 2, Wynn/RBC) -- favorite Russian tunes in an updated presentation which offers real drama for students to bring to life.
"Neil Gow's Lament" (Gr. 2, Alfred) -- One of the most beautiful Irish melodies woven in an arrangement which provides melodic material for all instruments (even the bass!) 

 

Deborah Baker Monday and Janice L. McAllister 

"MORE Strings Extraordinaire" - complements the popular  KJOS Strings Extraordinaire and Holidays Extraordinaire publications.

 

Past President

Utah ASTA expresses its appreciation to Deanne Helquist for her great service as president. In her new position as Past President she wil continue to actively serve with other members of the Utah ASTA Board. She has worked very hard for the past four years as President-elect and then as President. Under her direction and leadership our organization has become stronger.

Thank you, Deanne!

Newsletter

The Utah ASTA Newsletter is finally here! Find a downloadable PDF copy in the "About Us" Section of this website!