Stringendo Volume XVIII No. 2 · 10 Kayser Etudes, op. 20, Methodological Remarks translated by Alexander Starz 12 The Goop Groups by Melissa Hullman 13 University of Wisconsin–Madison

STRINGENDO Spring 2002 1

Inside this issue:

2 President’s Report 2 From the Editor’s Desk 3 Treasurer’s Report 4 CertificateProgramforStrings 8 2002AnnualMeetingandBornoffSeminar 9 2001 State Solo Competition Report10 KayserEtudes,op.20,MethodologicalRemarks translated by Alexander Starz 12 The Goop Groups by Melissa Hullman 13 UniversityofWisconsin–MadisonSummerPrograms 14 ASTA withNSOANationalElectionResults StringProjectGrants15 CreatingYourOwnStringTeachersGroup by Lynne Day Denig

Spring 2002 Stringendo Volume XVIII No. 2


President’s Report

D ear Members:TheendofmytermasPresi-dentfortheMarylandandD.C.Chapterof ASTA with NSOA is near. This is my last

president’s report. First, let me invite you to our statewide annual meetingonMay5inCollegePark.WewillcombinetheeventwithaworkshopontheBornoffMethod,whichAnneMariePattersonhasorganized.AnneMariealsohastakenonthebigresponsibilityoftrackingtheadvertisinginStringendo,amajorsourceofincomeforthechapter.Togetherwithhernomi-nationforPresidentElectinthestateelections,thismakesheranintegralpartinthefutureofthischap-ter.Thankyou,AnneMarie,foryourgreateffort.Ourstateelectionsareunderway.PhyllisFreeman,ourElectionsOfficer,hasputinalotofworktogetthistaskdone.Thisyear’selectionsareparticularlyimportantinthelightofcontinuityinleadership,whichhadbeenaproblembefore.Iamveryhappythatwehavenomineesforbothvacant(orsoontobevacant)boardoffices,Secretary/TreasurerandPresi-dentElect,andthatwewillbeabletooperatewithafullboardinthefuture.Thankyou,Phyllis,foryourgood work. Melissa Hullman will take over as President in May,andifherenthusiasmandcommitmentsofarareanyindication,Ipredictarejuvenatingandfunfutureforthischapter.Melissahasgreatleadership

abilityandiswellintegratedinthestringcommunityinMaryland.Iaskallofyoumemberstosupportherinanywayyoucanandtoparticipateinchapteractivitiesasmuchaspossible. Mywarmestthanksgoestomyboardthatkeptmeafloatthroughthesetwoyears.OurnewslettereditorLorraineCombs,ourCertificateChairLyaStern,andTreasurer-turned-President-ElectMelissaHullmanworkedhardasateamtoaccomplishquiteabitduringthisterm:twoteachers’workshops,secur-ingthecopyrighttotheCertificateProgram,findingaPresidentElect,annualCertificatePrograms,theStateSoloCompetition,recruitinganAdvertisingChairandaViolinForumEditorforStringendo, and more. I know that my time as President was not marked byagreatturnaroundorgreatnewdevelopmentsforthischapter.ButIthinktheboardandIwereabletoprovideasenseofcontinuityandfocusthatletusregroupandputallthepiecesinplacetocreateameaningfulfutureasaprofessionalassociation,evenon a state level. Get involved! Yes, you!

AlexanderStarz President,MD/DCChapter 301-610-0098

From the Editor’s Desk

Another spring,anotherissueofStringendo foryou!Althoughatfirstglance,thisissue maylookmuchthesameasprecedingis-

sues,Iwanttocallyourattentiontotheads,manyofwhichhavebeenupdated.MyheartfeltthankstoAnneMariePattersonforcontactingouradvertisers,arrangingforpayments,andobtainingnewadcopiesformostofthem.Thiswasatime-consumingjob,becausetheworkhadnotbeendoneforsuchalongtime. TheMD/DCChapterAnnualMeetingiscomingsoon!Turntopage8andreadaboutit!Forthefirsttime,ourchapteriscombiningtheAnnualMeeting

withaworkshop.WehopethiscombowillmaketheeventappealtomoremembersthantheAnnualMeet-ingaloneusuallyattracts.IfyouhaveneverattendedanAnnualMeeting,pleaseconsiderdoingsothisyear.Thelocationisfairlycentral,andtheparkingwillbeeasy. I’dliketohaveinputfromchaptermembersaboutthingsyouwouldliketoseeinfutureissuesofStringendo.Contactmebye-mail,phone,orpostalmail,andlet’stalkaboutit!

LorraineCombs 410-987-2707 [email protected]


Treasurer’s ReportMD/DC Chapter

Associate MembershipASTA with NSOA MD/DC Chapter

Members of other ASTA with NSOA state chapters are welcome to become Associate Members of the MD/DC Chapter. To join, send a check for $15,

payable to ASTA MD/DC, to Melissa Hullman, 3724 Rexmere Rd., Baltimore, MD 21218. Enclose a note explaining why you are sending the check.

Your $15 fee will allow you to receive 4 issues of Stringendo plus any special mailings announcing workshops. You may join at any time during the year and you will be on the honor system to remember to send in another $15 for dues the following year. No reminder notices will be sent. However, if you forget when you sent in your previous dues, you are welcome to contact Stringendo editor Lorraine Combs, 410-987-2707 or e-mail: [email protected]. She will look in her database to find your renewal date.

Associate members will be admitted to MD/DC events such as workshops at the re-duced fees available to MD/DC members, if the event has a tier structure for payment.

Associate members are welcome to send in articles of any kind.

Asof3/28/02,thefollowingfundsareavailable:

Savings: $1,181.82Netdepositstosavingssince9/01/01: $0.00Netdeductionsfromsavingssince9/01/01: $0.00

Checking: $1,753.12Netdepositstocheckingsince9/01/01: $2,259.00Netdeductionsfromcheckingsince9/01/01: $3,093.85

SubmittedbyMelissaHullman


The CertifiCate programisaframeworkforthegradeddevelopmentandperiodic as-sessmentofthestringstudent’stechni-

calandmusicalprogress.

Theprogramprovidesguidancetotheteacherinsettinggoalsandchoosingappropriatemate-rial.Atthesametime,itgivesnewincentivestostudentstopersevereandexcelintheirinstru-mentalstudies.Theprogramdefinesandsetsperformancestandardsfortenlevels—elemen-tarythroughpre-college.Completionofeachlevelismarkedbyacomprehensiveevaluationexamcoveringscalesandarpeggios,anetude,solorepertoire,andsight-reading.Asof2002,theprogramisavailablefor:violin,levels1–10;viola,levels1–10;andcello,levels1–4.

StudentsearnaCertificateofAchievementastheycompleteeachlevel.Theprogramisde-signedtoencourageandmotivatestudents,andtorecognizetheirprogress.Theprogramisopentostudents,preschoolthroughadult.Studentstaketheexamappropriatetotheirlevelofdevel-opmentregardlessofage.Studentsmayentertheprogram at any level and may skip levels. The teachermustbeamemberorassociatememberofASTAwithNSOAMD/DCChapter.Interest-edteachersnotcurrentlyaffiliatedwithASTA,pleasecontactLyaStern.

Someofthebenefitsofferedtoparticipantsare:•A graded program that assures a system-

atic, developmentally logical progression for improving technical and musical skills.

Bypreparingfortheevaluationexamcorrespondingtoeachlevel,theteachercanplotthestudent’sprogresswithinamoreformalstructure,creatingtheset-tingofa“musicschoolwithoutwalls.”

•Periodic evaluation exams—Milestones

on the path to better playing.Studentsneedgoalsandenjoychal-lenges.TheCertificateofAchievementawardearnedateachlevelservesastangibleevidenceofprogress.Studentsgainconfidenceasthefruitsoftheirlaborsarerewarded.

•Comments of a highly qualified, impar-tial adjudicator.

Students get an opportunity to learn fromtheconstructivecriticismandsug-gestionsofanotherteacher.

• A boost to the prestige and professional-ism of the private studio teacher.

Parentsseetheirchild’sprogressindependently validated through the CertificateofAchievementissuedbyarespectedorganizationsuchasASTAwith NSOA.

Evaluation System

Therequirementsforeachlevelhavebeencarefullyandclearlydefined.Theyarespecificenoughtosetmeaningfulgoals,yetbroadenoughtoaccommodateanyteachingstyle(tra-ditional,Suzuki,orcombinationthereof).Therequirementsaregearedfortheaveragestudentwithbuilt-inflexibilityforthehigh-achievingstudent.Therequirementsforassessment,alongwithrecommendedstudymaterial,aredescribedindetailinthefollowingpages.

InordertoassurethattheCertificatetrulyreflectsprogressfromleveltolevel,thestudent’sperformancemustmeetcertainminimumstan-dards.Eachportionoftheperformance(scale,etude,firstandsecondpiece,andsight-reading)isevaluatedseparately,basedonthefollowingcriteria:tone,intonation,technique,rhythm,mu-sicality,memorization,andstagepresence.A

Certicate Program for StringsASTA with NSOA MD/DC Chapter


ratingof“V”(verygood),“S”(satisfactory),or“N”(needsimprovement)isgiven.Iftherearefiveormore“Ns”inanycategory,thatportionoftheperformancemustbetakenagainatafuturedatetobeannounced.Noretakeswillbenec-essaryinsight-readingregardlessofrating.Inaddition,theadjudicatorwillmakewrittencom-mentsonaspectsofthestudent’stechniqueandmusicianship.Theadjudicator’sdecisionisfinal.

Thelengthofplayingtimeindicatesthemaxi-mum time per level and is intended as a guide to theteacherinselectingthematerial.Additionaltimeisallowedfortuningandtheadjudicator’swrittencomments.Ifthetimelimithasbeenex-ceeded,theadjudicatormayinterruptthestudentinordertostayonschedule.

Thecompletedadjudicator’sevaluationformswillbesentdirectlytotheteacher.Teachersthenwilldistributeanddiscussthecommentswiththeir students.

Use of AccompanistTheuseofanaccompanistisoptional.Thereisnoextracreditgivenforthis.

Adjudicators and MonitorsTherewillbeoneadjudicatorperroom,care-fullyselectedbytheASTAwithNSOAMD/DCChapterCertificateProgramCommittee.Thispersonwillbearespectedteacherexperiencedandknowledgeableinallthelevelstobeadju-dicatedandbeyond.Theadjudicatorandmoni-tor will provide a positive atmosphere so that participationwillbeapleasantexperienceforallstudents.

The 2002 Evaluation ExamDates:

Saturday, June 8, 2002, and Sunday, June 9, 2002 (Each student will only play on one of the dates; date and time assignment will be mailed to teachers.)

Location:Benjamin T. Rome School of MusicCatholic University, Washington, D.C.Tel: 202-319-5414

Applicationdeadline:May15,2002,postmark.

Examsareofferedfor:Violin levels 1–10Viola levels 1–10Cello levels 1–4

Applicationfees: Levels1-4 $15 Levels5-6 $18 Levels7-8 $22 Levels9-10 $28

We will try to accommodate special requests in scheduling. Please don’t call, just be sure to write your request on the application.

Studentmusthaveoriginalmusic.Photocopieswillbepermittedwhenthemusicisoutofprint.

StudentmustcurrentlystudywithamemberofASTA withNSOAMD/DCChapter.(TojoinASTA withNSOA,pleasecontactLyaStern.)

Teachersenteringstudentswillbeaskedtoserveasmonitors,ortodosomeclericalwork.

Teacherspleasecollectallfeesandapplicationforms.MakeonecheckpayabletoASTAwith NSOAMD/DCChapter.Sendchecksandformsto Lya Stern.

We encourage maximum participation from each studiofor the benet of all students

STRINGENDO Spring 20026

Certificate Program for Strings 2002MD/DC Chapter announces:

The Fifth Annual Certicate Program Evaluation ExaminationsDates: Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9, 2002.

Location: The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Catholic University,Washington, D.C.

Mark your calendars now, and plan to send your students to this event!


Certicate Program for Strings 2002ASTA with NSOA MD/DC Chapter

APPliCATiON FORMApplication deadline: May 15, 2002, postmark

Instrument______________________Level_____NameofStudent__________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Phone ________________________

Areyouusinganaccompanist? Yes____ No____Accompanist’sname_______________________________________________________________

Works to be performed:1. Title_________________________mvt_____Composer________________________Time_____2. Title_________________________mvt_____Composer________________________Time_____3. Title_________________________mvt_____Composer________________________Time_____4. Title_________________________mvt_____Composer________________________Time_____5.Scales_________________________________________________________________________

NameofTeacher__________________________________________________________Address______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________Phone ________________________

Preferredtimesforhelpingasamonitororasneeded______________________________________

I understand the rules governing this event. My students and their parents have also been ap-prised of the rules.

Teacher’ssignature_______________________________________________

Send applications to: Please photocopty additional applications as needed.lya Stern Write any special scheduling requests below.Certificate Program7012 Hopewood StreetBethesda, MD 20817Tel: 301-320-5618Fax: 301-320-2694


2002 Annual Meeting and Bornoff SeminarASTA with NSOA MD/DC Chapter

When: Sunday, May 5, 2002, at 11:00 a.m.Where: 3rdfloorfacultyloungeattheClariceSmithPerformingArtsCenteronthecampusoftheUniver-

sityofMaryland.Cost: Thebrunchis$15,theseminaris$17,or☛bestdeal:bothfor$30.

Brunchwillbeserved,thenewboardmemberswillbeintroduced,andthePresidentwillgiveareportontheyear’s events.

Bornhoff Seminar: JackieChanfromtheFoundationfortheAdvancementofStringEducation(FASE)willpresent a seminar on the Bornoff Methodofstringinstructionimmediatelyafterthemeeting,approximatelyat12:00.TheBornoffMethodisdifferentfromSuzukiortraditionalinstructioninthatitteachesallofthefingerpatternsfromthebeginning.Itisagestaltapproachtostringplayinginsteadofsong-based,andmaybeappliedtoanystringinstrument.FormoreinformationontheBornoffMethod,visitthewebsite:http://www.fase.org.TheadmissionchargetotheseminarcoversthepurchaseoftwoBornoffmethodbooks: Finger Patterns “Arevolutionarymethodthatintroduceseachinstrumentasawhole,bypassingmanytraditional

obstaclestorapidprogress.Allfourstringsandallfivefingerpatternsareintroducedimmediately,usinglegato,spiccato,staccato,andslurredbowings.Theopenstringcycle,thefingerpatterns,andone-fingershiftingpro-videtherepetitionneededtomastervariousskillsthroughcreativereview.Materialthatwouldusuallybecon-tainedinseveralprogressivevolumesandcoveredinseveralyearsofteachingiscondensedintooneefficientlyorganizedvolume.Thisprocedure’sspecialstrengthisthatitisequallyeffectiveforbothprivateteachingandclassuse.Thevolumesforthefourinstrumentsareskillfullyintegratedtobeuseableforclassesofmixedin-strumentsaswellasclassesoflikeinstruments.”

Fun For Fiddle Fingers (Solos–Level1–forViolin,Viola,Cello,Bass)“CompanionvolumetoFinger Patterns,containing52familiarmelodies,eacharrangedinavarietyofkeysandmeters.Everyskilldevelopedin Finger Patternsisimmediatelyappliedtothissolomaterial.Thisestablishesthebasisforartisticplaying,providesreviewofthosebowingandfingerskillsinmanydifferentcontexts,andfurnishesextensivematerialforthedevelopmentofreadingskills.LikeFinger Patterns,thisbookiseffectiveforclassesoflikeinstruments,classesofmixedinstruments,orforprivateteaching.Writtenmostlyinfirstpositionforviolinandviola,thebookusesthefirstfourpositionsforcelloandthefirstthreeforbass.”

Send payment and reservation to: Anne Marie Patterson, 5117 Rock Beauty Ct. Waldorf, MD 20603, Phone: 301-843-5271, e-mail: [email protected] Please bring your instrument and music stand!

Directions to the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center: From the D.C. Capital Beltway (I-495):TakeExit25(U.S.1)SouthtowardCollegePark.Proceedapproximately1-2miles.AfteryoupassseveralcardealershipsonrightandaChineserestaurant,turnrightonto193West(UniversityBlvd.)towardsByrdStadium.At2ndtrafficlight,StadiumDrive,turnleft.TheClariceSmithCenterisontheright.Followthetrafficcircletotherightandturnleftinto the Stadium Drive Parking Garage.

From Baltimore and Points North:TakeI-95South.At495split,besuretogotowardtheright(495West)butbeintheleftlanesoyoucanimmediatelytakeExit27towardRoute1South,CollegePark.TakeExit27andthenfollowsigntoExit25,Rt.1South,andfollowthedirectionsabove.

Once inside the building:Fromthefrontentrance,headstraightthroughthelobbyarea,goingupthemainstaircasetothetoplevel(samelevelastheApplauseCafe).Justtotherightofthecafe,youwillseeastaircase.Ascend,andtheFaculty/StaffLoungewillbethefirstdooronyourleft.Also,fromthecafelevel,youcanfindanelevatorbygoingleftaroundthebackofthecafe,andtakingtheelevatortothe3rdfloor.


TheStateSoloCompetitionforMD/DCChapterwasheldNovember11,2001at PeabodyPreparatoryinBaltimore.Fifteen

studentscompetedforprizestotalingover$3,000in value. Generous sponsors were: Shar Products, Perrin and Cohen Fine Violins, Heifetz Institute, CodaBow, and Lashof Violins.Participantsrepre-sentedthestudiosofRichardBarber,VictoriaChi-ang,RichardField,PhyllisFreeman,JodyGatwood,JulianGray,HerbertGreenberg,SusannMcDonald,OrlandoRoman,DavidSalness,andJudyShiffers.

JudgeswereKlaraBerkovich,RebeccaHenry,andMana Primrose Beaver.

In the Junior Division, Patricia Chao,a16year-oldviolinstudentofDavidSalness,tookFirstPrizeandNicki Lehrer,15,aguitarstudentofJulianGray,tookSecondPrize.ThirdPrizewassharedbybassistEdward Botsford,astudentofRichardBarber,andviolist Rachael Cooper,astudentofPhyllisFree-

2001 State Solo Competition ReportASTA with NSOA MD/DC Chapter

man.SeniorDivisionFirstPrizewenttoVictor de Almeida,a22year-oldvioliststudyingwithRichardField.19year-oldviolinistNikos Pittas,astudentofHerbertGreenberg,wonSecondPrizeandElizabeth Levin,also19,aharpstudentofSusannMcDonald,tookThirdPrize.

Inaddition,twonewprizeswereawardedthisyear.TheHeifetzPrizeforsummerstudyattheHeifetzIn-stitute was awarded to Gray Dickerson,16,astudentofDavidSalness.TheCodaBowPrize,providingadeservingstudentwithanewCodaBowClassic,wasawarded to Rachael Cooper.

Thisyear’sNationalFinalistsfromtheMD/DCChapter are Edward Botsford, Nicki Lehrer, Eliza-beth Levin, and Nikos Pittas.WewishthembestofluckinMichiganinMay!

Melissa Hullman MD/DCCompetitionChair


Some time ago,LorraineCombsaskedmeforatranslationofthemethodological remarks on the Kayser Etudes. Hoping

thatmanyofyoucanbenefitfromsuchaneffort,theywillbepublishedasaseriesofarticlesinthenextseveralissuesofStringendo. Here goes:

Etude No. 1Easydétachéexercisein60–104bpm.Itisimportantfortheleftarmtoswitchstringsintheshouldertoguaranteegoodpitchandtheuseofthefingertips.Playslowatfirstintheupperhalfofthebowandwiththebowclosetothefingerboard.Tryitfasterwithlessbow,play-ingclosertothebridge.Makesuretoswitchsmoothlybetweenstrings.Assoonasthelefthandmovementshavebeensolidlyacquired,thedifferentbowingscanbeused.

Etude No. 2Postpone this etude until the student has mas-teredthevibratosatisfactorilyandknowshowtouseandcontrolthewholelengthofthebow.Also,thisetudeshouldn’tbeplayedentirelyinfirstposition,sincetheresultwouldnotconformtotoday’sperformancestandards.

Etude No. 3Thisetuderequiresawellplanneduseofthebowanditsdivisions.There’salwaysatendencyoftheplayertodrag,becausetheetudeforcesyoutouseinappropriateamountsofbow.Don’tplayslowerthan92bpm.Inthistempo,eighthnotesusetheupperhalfofthebow;sixteenthnotesareshortdétachébowingsatthetipandinthemiddleofthebow.Withregardstoin-tonation: B%andF(1stfingersontheA-andE-strings)shouldbeplayedextralowtomakethecharacteroftheopenstringsasleadingnotescomeoutmore.

Etude No. 4Thisetudecanbeharmfulifitisplayedinitsen-tirety immediately. The student will tire soon and crampup.Itisbettertobreakitapartintosinglemeasuresandusethoseasfingeringexercises.

Etude No. 5Startwithdétachéintheupperhalf,leavingouttheverytipofthebow.Slowlyspeeduptoq = 104bpm,shorteningthebowaccordingly.Theetudecanbeplayedinspiccato,butmakesurethebowstaysonthestringforthequarternotes.Itcanalsobeusedtoexplainthepartitionofthebowinthesicilianobowing,ifyouchangetherhythm somewhat:

q;.ur q;.ur insteadofq;rr q;rr

Etude No. 6Inordertoliveuptothemotifstructure(tripletasupbeat,strongquarternoteonthedownbeat),use1/4bowforthetriplet,and3/4bowonthequarternote.Emphasizethequarternoteevenmorethroughanaddedvibrato.Tryplayingthisetudealsowithamotifofsixteenthnotetripletanddottedquarternote:

Etude No. 7Typicalmarteléexercise.Firstreviewthemar-telébowingwiththestudents.Thenletthemplaytheetudeindétachéfirst.Sincemostintervalsbridgetwostrings,thisisusefulasadoublestopexerciseforintonationcontrolifplayedthus:

Etude No. 8Legatoexercise.Ensuresteadyandregularuseofbowthatfollowsthemeasuresexactly.Themovementsoftherightarmtoswitchstringsshouldbeassmallaspossible.Alsotrychangingthe rhythm.

Kayser Etudes, op. 20Methodological Remarks

translated from German by Alexander Starz


Etude No. 9Verydétaché.Makecleartoyourstudentthatthemelodyreturnsindifferentkeys.Thisetudecanalsobeusedasasilentfingerexercise.(Editor’s note: the German term is “stumme Klopfübung.” One executes the left-hand work without using the bow, striking the fingerboard hard and audi-bly with each finger as it is placed for the note to be played. It is a very good way to develop dexterity, strength, accuracy, rhythmic control, and evenness in the left hand.)

Etude No. 10Exceedsthelevelofdifficultyofthepreviousetudesquiteabit.Itisbettertousethisetudelater.Itwillprovideanopportunitytointroduceright-handpizzicatopluckingsinglestringsand“strumming”chords.

Etude No. 11Goodforseveralbowings:Détaché,legato,spic-cato,andallkindsofcombinationsthereof.Intermsofexpressiveplaying,itischaracterizedthroughthegrowingandreceedingofamelodywithin two measures. The student learns one ofthefundamentalsofplayingdynamics:cre-scendoontherise,decrescendoonthedescent.Measure58requiresanoteonfingering:afterthefirstchord(E%-B%-G),thesecondchord(B%-A%-D)isplayedbyplacingthe3rdfingerfirst,thenthe4th,andfinallythe2nd.Thechangebetweenthechordsiseasierandmoresuccessfulifyouswitchto2ndpositiononthesecondchordandplacefingersfromlowtohigh.

Etude No. 12Playitslowlywithfournotesslurredtogethertobeginwith.Thenshifttheemphasisineachgroupoffour(emphasizethefirstnote,thentryitwiththesecondnote,andsoon.)Laterput8notesonabow,then16.Evenlegatowithaslightaccent(achievedbyusingslightlymorebow,notbyusingmorepressure)onthecounts.

e


Gabe started out:“I’vegotthisstuffinmypocket,andit’samagicalsubstance called‘Goop.’What’ssogreataboutit

isthatyoucanmakeitintoanythingyouwant.”The students’ eyes grew wide. He had their at-tentionnow.HetooktheimaginaryGoopoutofhispocketandmadesomethingwithitinmid-air,thentookitbackintohishandsandmadeitintoaball.Shygigglesdriftedamongthegroupofviolinstudents.

GabepassedtheGooptothestudentbesidehim.“Goahead,makesomethingwithit!”Funensued. Students took a turn at making some-thing imaginary in the air with their hands. Then, Gabeaskedthestudentstorememberwhattheyhad done and make the same thing again, this timeputtingasoundtoit.Soundslike“bing,”“zooooop,”“zhhhhhh,”andotherstoodifficulttodescribewiththewrittenwordfilledtheair.The next step was to make the sound only.

Onceeveryonecouldmaketheirsoundswithouttheirhands,aconductorwasadded.Sud-denlythesoundsweretransformedintoapieceofmusic.Theparentswerespellbound…buttherewasonelaststep.Gabeaskedthestudentsto get their instruments and play their sound ontheviolin.Thestudentsimitatedtheirvocalsoundsontheirinstrumentsinpitch,dynamic,rhythm,andcharacter.Withtheadditionofaconductor,thesoundscametogestherbeautifully

andthestudentswerelaunchedintotheworldofimprovisation.

Goopencourageschildrentoexpressthem-selvesfreelybygivingthemasafeplacetobethemselves and showing them that whatever theyplayisgood.The“nonsensesyllables”studentscreateinthegameareaveryimportantfirststepinlearningthelanguageofjazz.Goopallowsfreeexplorationanduseofdynamics,pitch,rhythm,tonecolor,phrasing,andcharacteroutsidetherealmofclassicalmusic.Itdevelopslisteningskills,ensembleskills,andcommunitysupport. Students who improvise return to Mo-zartorBrahmswithafreshcreativesenseandabetterunderstandingoftheelementsofclassicalmusic. e

On January 12, 2002, Gabriel Bolkosky pre-sented an Improvisation Workshop at Peabody Preparatory that was jointly sponsored by MD/DC ASTA with NSOA and the Peabody Prepara-tory. The morning sessions were spent playing Goop with Suzuki violin groups, Book 2 through Book 7 level. The afternoon sessions were for teachers and advanced students. They included: an introduction to the rules of jazz improvisation, a jam session, and a discussion of useful materi-als to get teachers and students started improvis-ing over a bass line.

The Goop Groupsby Melissa Hullman


Madison Early Music FestivalJuly13-20,2002

Thisexcitingworkshopandconcertseriesprovidesanopportunityformusicians,scholars,teachers,andearlymusicenthusiaststostudy,perform,andenjoymedieval,renaissance,andbaroquemusicwithdistinguishedartist-teachers.Participantsworkwithsomeoftheworld’sfinestartistsinskillsclasses,masterclasses,consorts,andlargehistoricalinstrumentandvocalensembles.Accompanyingtheworkshopisaneveningconcertseriesfeaturingworld-classperformancesofearlymusic.The2002FestivalfocusesonFrenchmedievalandrenaissancemusic,andartists-in-residenceincludeTheConcordEnsemble,TheFolgerConsort,TheNewberryConsort,andPiffaro.StringfacultyincludesDavidDouglass(violin),MarySpringfels(viols),JulieAndrijeski(violin,vielle),RobertEisenstein(viols),andGrantHerreid(lute).www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/memf

National String WorkshopJuly21-27,2002

Thisworkshopoffersuniqueartisticandeducationalopportunitiesinskills,pedagogy,literature,improvisation,composing,arranging,conducting,andinstrumentrepair,plusopportunitiestoplaychambermusic,majorstringorchestraliterature,andnewpublicationsforstringorchestrasatalllevels.The2002faculty,featuringsomeofthecountry’smostrespectedstringpedagoguesandperformers,includes:SharanLeventhal(violin),PhyllisYoung(cello),SandraDackow(arranging),J.TimothyCaldwell(eurhythmics),KathleenHorvath(bass),JamesKjelland(pedagogy),KennethMartinson(viola),RosemaryPoetzel(bass),LaurieScott(violin),ChelcyBowles(harp),andJudyPalac(violin).DavidBeckerdirectstheOrchestralConductingSeminar;InstrumentRepairClinicsareavailableonthreeskilllevels.SponsoredbyASTAwith NSOA. www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/nsw

UW Credit, WI DPI Clock Hours, and Continuing Education Unit options available for all workshops.

For brochures contact: MichelleMarx,UniversityofWisconsin-Madison,719LowellCenter,610LangdonSt.,Madison,WI53703;608-263-3370;[email protected]

University of Wisconsin-MadisonTwo exciting summer programs for string performers and

teachers in 2002!


From:RobertJesselson<[email protected]>Date:Friday,March15,20029:14AMSubject:ASTA/NSOAelectionresults

Dear ASTA withNSOAMembers:

IampleasedtoannouncethewinnersoftheASTAwith NSOAnationalelection.Ourthankstoeveryonewhoran—itwasanexcellentslateofcandidatesandagoodturnoutofmemberswhovoted.Congratulationsto:

Bob Gillespie - President-electKirk Moss - Secretary

Mimi Butler - Member-at-LargeMatt Glaser - Member-at-Large

Leslie Wimsatt - Member-at-Large

National Election ResultsASTA with NSOA

Theywilljointhefollowingtomakeupour2002–2004NationalExecutiveBoard:

David Littrell–PresidentRobert Jesselson–Past-PresidentJake Connolly–SinC PresidentKay Logan–Member-at-Large

Inaddition,aPublicationsChairwillbeappointedbyDavid Littrell.

Onceagain,ourthankstoallthecandidateswhoranforelectionthisyear.ThestrengthofASTAwith NSOA lies inourmanysuperbvolunteerswhoserveonstateandnationalboardsandcommittees,andour11,500mem-bers.Thankyouforyourpartinthisgreatorganization.

From:RobertJesselson<[email protected]>Subject:MoreStringProjectgrantapplications:RoundThree

Dear State and National Leaders:

Pleasepassthewordtoyourlocalcolleges,universitiesandconservatoriesaboutthenextroundofStringProjectgrantstohelpsolvethestringteachershortageinthiscountry.ApplicationstoparticipateintheNa-tionalStringProjectConsortiumwillbeduebyMay 15, 2002.TenmoreschoolswillbechosentobepartofthenextgroupofsitestocreateStringProjectsandreceive$10,000peryearforassistantshipsforundergradu-atemusiceducationstudents.

InformationandApplicationPacketscanbeobtainedbye-mailingCharleneDellat:<[email protected]>,orcalling803-777-5412.

Twenty-sixinstitutionsarecurrentlymembersoftheConsortium.ASTAwithNSOAhasreceived$804,302ingrantsfromFIPSE(USDepartmentofEducation),theKnightFoundation,andtheNEA(NationalEndow-mentfortheArts),withatotalimpactof$1,508,858,includingtheuniversities’matchingmoney.Aswiththeprevioustworounds,oncethetensitesarechosen,ASTAwithNSOAwillapplytovariousfoundationsforthegrantfunds.

String Project Grants


A sAnneMarieandIsatintrafficontheBeltwayinVirginiainanefforttoreachthe stringteachersmeetingatPeggyWard’sin

SilverSpring,MD,wesimultaneouslyaskedeachother,“Whycan’twestartagroupinVirginiaalongthe same lines as Peggy’s group and avoid having totravelanhouronceamonthformeetingsinMaryland?”AndsowasborntheNorthernVirginiaStringTeachersConsortium.Thefirstmeeting,March25,2000,wasattendedbyelevenviolinandviolateachersfromtheNorthernVirginiaarea.Wasitdifficulttoestablishsuchagroup?Definitelynot.AnneMarieandIcalledallthepeopleweknewwhomightbeinterested,arrangedaday,decidedonalocation(myhouse),broughtcoffeecakeandmadecoffee,anditwasaneventthathasbecomemonthlysincethattime. Overtheoneandahalfyearsthatthegrouphasexisted, we have:

• Gottentoknowandappreciateotherteachersin our area. Cordiality and sensitivity to the needsofotherteachershasbeenfostered.

• Exchangedideasconcerningstringteachingandperforming.

• ExchangedcalendarsofeventsandbecomeawareofprogramsdesignedforteachersandstudentssuchasSoloandEnsembleFestivals,DistrictandRegionalFestivals,summercamps,youthorchestrasandprogramssuchastheCertificateProgram(seenotebelow).

• Broughtanewcolleagueuptospeedwithreadyinformationandsupport.Nolongermusteachnewteacherwhomovesintotheareare-inventthewheel.Namesandaddressesofmanyorganizationsbothteachingandperformingarereadilyavailable,andeachteacherhashisorherownassessmentsastothevalueofeachthataregivenverballyattheasking.

• Becomeawareofopportunitiesforteachersandstudents.AnneMarieShaw(nowPattersonofWaldorf,MD),HelenFall,principalviolistoftheFairfaxSymphony,andSusanKatsarelis,ArlingtonSymphonymember,went

totheNationalStudioTeachersForumandreported on it to the group. Anne Marie and I traveled together to the Mimi Zweig workshop sponsoredbytheMD/DCASTAChapterlast January and shared these details with the group.

• Becomeadvocatesforourstudentsandforstringteachinginthearea.TheagendainthenearfutureincludesinvitingtheheadoftheMusicDepartmentatGeorgeMasonUniversitytodiscusshisplansforasummermusiccampatGMU.ThehopeisthattheConsortiumcanoffersuggestionsofhowthesummercampcanbestservethecommunity.WehavealsoworkedwiththeFairfaxSchoolBoardontryingtobringqualityintoaparticularstringprogram in our area.

• Setupopportunitiesformemberstodisplaytheirteachingspecialties.HelenFallpresentedideasonbowhandflexibility,JimBatts,stringsheadoftheLevineSchool,offeredtipson“TVTimePractice”,andIshowedthePaulRollandfilmLeftHandandBowPlacementandledadiscussionofthis.

• Hadguestspeakersfromoutsidethegroup.Retired NSO violinist, Ed Johonnott presented hissyllabusofviolinliterature,GaryFrisch,violinmakeranddealer,andGary’scolleague,TomKing,talkedtothegroupaboutfindingwell-madeinstruments,andLyaStern,originatoroftheCertificateProgramfromtheMD/DCChapter,informedthegroupofopportunitiesforadvancingtheirstudentsandstudiosthroughparticipationinthisprogram.(Again,seethenotebelow.)

• Providedopportunitiesforperformancesofgroupmembersorfortheirstudents.AquartetformedofmembersfromthegroupplayedadressrehearsalfortheConsortium.(Thequartet“found”eachotherthroughtheirassociationintheConsortium.)

• Madeavailablepossibilitiesforgroupmembersorspeakerstooffertheirwarestothegroup.AnneMarieofferedherscalebook,Scales and

by Lynne Day DenigCreating Your Own String Teachers Group

STRINGENDO Spring 200216

Exercises for ViolintoConsortiummembers,andGaryFrischofferedinstrumentsandsupplies.Weaskateachmeetingwhomighthavespaceintheirstudiosformorestudents.

• Becomemoreawareoftheneedsofpublicschoolteachersthroughmeetingswiththem.LakeBraddockSecondarySchoolOrchestraDirectorandVirginiaASTAPresident,Stephanie Holmes, met with the Consortium totalkaboutherjobandhowitcanbemadeeasierbypeoplesuchasourselves.

Hasitbeendifficulttofindideastotalkaboutortofindguestspeakers?Never.Thegrouphasalwaysreliablycomeupwithanagendaforthenextmeeting,andtheyhavethemselvescontactedspeakersforthemeetings.Ifaspeakeroreventfallsthrough, however, the group always has so many teachingideasandquestionsthattwohoursneverseemenough.Ourgrouplovestotalkaboutteaching,andthesuggestionsofferedhavegivenmorethanonememberhopethatproblemsinastudiocanbesolved. Whatexpenseisinvolved?Sofar,verylittle.Astheconvener,Isendaddresslistsandanewsletterviae-mail,andImakeacoupleofhardcopiesforpeoplewhomightnothavee-mailaccess.Tensheetsofpapermightbeallthatisrequiredeachmonth. Howaboutpreparationtime?Itrynevertomakecalls.Mostcommunicationisbye-mailsentaround to the group. I send a note to everyone in the

Consortiumoneweekinadvanceofthemeetingasareminder. I take notes at the meeting, and then write theseupintheformofanewsletter,andagainsendtheseelectronically.Themosttime-intensiveaspectisthenewsletter,thistakingperhapsoneandahalfhourstoprepare.Itisnotatrulynecessarypartofestablishingthegrouporevenofkeepingitrunning,butmembersseemtoappreciatethenotesespeciallyiftheywereunabletoattendthemeeting.Thenotesalsoserveasareminderofthenicethingsthatwedo. Doesittakesuperhumanskillstoestablishagroup?Notatall.Stringpeopleseemtolovebeingtogether,andbecauseweareacreativegroupofpeoplewhosebusinessitistoshareideaswithourstudents,thegroupbecomesanextensionofwhatwealreadydo.Ourjobsaremadeeasierknowingthatwesharecommonbondswithotherstringteachersthroughourassociationwitheachotheronceamonth. Doyouknowofotherstringteachersinyourareawhocouldbenefitfromsuchagroup?Whynotestablishagroupsoon?IfyouneedadviceonestablishingyourowngrouporwouldliketoattendmeetingshereinFairfax,Icanbecontacted:LynneDenig,703-425-1234,[email protected]. e

Special note: See the ad below for a practical outcome of the workings of the Consortium, i.e., Northern Virginia’s first ever Certificate Program Exams (identical to MD/DC Chapter’s) to be held June 1 in Fairfax, VA.

Certificate Program Evaluation ExaminationsJune 2002 – In Northern Virginia

FirstannualCertificateProgramEvaluationExaminationsinVirginia

One date only: Saturday, June 1, 2002

Location:Fairfax Christian Church10185 Main Street

Fairfax, VA

Contact:LynneDenig703-425-1234

[email protected]

Documents

Stringendo Volume XVIII No. 2 · 10 Kayser Etudes, op. 20, Methodological Remarks translated by Alexander Starz 12 The Goop Groups by Melissa Hullman 13 University of Wisconsin–Madison