Utah ASTA is providing two options for ASTACAP this year
1) Virtual ASTACAP: Open Submission from April 5th-12th, 2025, Teacher and Student Registration due Mar. 22nd.
2) IN-PERSON ASTACAP: April 12th, 2025 @ Salem Hills High School, Teacher and Student Registration due Mar. 22nd.Note that in-person exams have a SIGHT READING portion of the exam along with the scales, etudes, and pieces.
Teacher Registration 2024: Click Here
Student Registration 2025: Click Here Students register only after they have paid the ASTACAP fee in the ASTA Store
3) Student Video Upload (Only to be done after student registration is completed, during the open submission dates, for virtual participants): Click Here
What is ASTACAP? ASTA Certificate Advancement Program or ASTACAP is a program that seeks to establish definite goals and awards for students of all levels through non-competitive examinations. Students are judged on technical and musical preparedness at specific levels (Foundation Level – Level 10) by an ASTA examiner of musical and pedagogical stature. A certificate of achievement is awarded for each level successfully completed.
What do my students need to prepare?
*Scales
*Etude (depending on Level)
*Solo piece (may be more than 1 solo depending on level)
For details on requirements see the ASTACAP handbook:
ASTA Members go here (official link)
Non-Members go here (unofficial link)
How are my students judged? Students will either participate in our live ASTACAP festival, playing for a judge in person or students can upload their videos on YouTube and submit their links in the ASTACAP
video upload link form. After the adjudicators have watched the student perform, a total score is determined by tallying points based on the following: intonation, rhythm, left hand technique, right hand technique, tone, expression, memorization, posture, stage presence, and sight reading. These categories are organized in a grading table found on the evaluation form. A total score of 50 or above warrants passing the exam and the awarding of a certificate. The designation of Honors is considered when: An overall score of 90-100 is achieved PLUS one or more of the following: The student performs a solo or solos from a higher level, the students performs a substantive cadenza with a concerto movement at levels 6 and above, or the solos and scales are performed from memory with the exception of classical and later sonatas.
Why should I do ASTACAP?
*Handbook provides a progressive, flexible curriculum of scales, etudes, and repertoire from foundation – level 10
*Individualized selection of study materials
*Can use in any teaching tradition (traditional private lesson, Suzuki, public school, Fiddle)
*Non-competitive performance experience
*Examination by highly experienced, respected instructional specialists
*Detailed, supportive feedback
*Exam results provided directly to teachers
*Nationally recognized levels of Achievement
*Collaboration with other students and teachers
Do I have to be an ASTA member? Yes and No. You have to be a member for your students to receive the nationally recognized certificate of achievement. The adjudicator’s comments are given out to every student who participates. If you choose to participate without a membership your students will receive a comment sheet from the adjudicator without the certificate.
What does it cost?
Each student pays one fee according to their level. There is no fee for teachers to send their students to participate.
Foundation – Level 4: $25.00
Level 5-Level 10: $30.00
How do I sign my students up? (The following links are the same as above)
1) Teachers please register your info here and be prepared to list the names of all students you wish to participate. You must register by March 22.
Teacher Registration 2024: Click Here
2) All Students, whether on-line or in-person need to registere here on or before March 22nd, 2025
Student Registration 2025: Click Here Students register only after they have paid the ASTACAP fee in the ASTA Store
3) Virtual Submissions: All students participating on-line need to submit their videos here from April 5th-12th
Student Video Upload: Click Here
Please contact us if you have any queries.