ASTA Certificate Advancement
Program
MA-ASTA
proudly announces the
2nd annual ASTA CAP evaluations
March
25 Indian Hill Music School (in Littleton)
March 31 Gordon College (in Wenham)
April 1 Dana Hall School of Music (in Wellesley)
April 7 Dana Hall School of Music (in
Wellesley)
Forms
must be postmarked by February 17, 2012.
• There are eleven levels of graded curricula for violin, viola, cello, and bass. (Harp and Guitar to be offered at a future date.)
• ASTACAP provides definite goals and awards for all students, from beginner to advanced levels, through non-competitive examinations.
• Students are judged on technical and musical preparedness at specific levels—Foundation Level through Level 10—by an examiner of musical and pedagogical stature.
• Each level is defined by a set of technical and musical goals (for instance: starting vibrato, third position, sense of style), along with corresponding study material.
• Completion of each level is demonstrated at a performance exam. The student plays one or more pieces, an etude, scales, and arpeggios. The student is also asked to sight read.
• The student’s success is recognized by ASTA with the awarding of a Certificate of Achievement for each level successfully completed.
How to apply:
Teachers:
Download applications for your students (see above).
Enter your contact information, ASTA membership proof, and exam-assisting time.
Enter titles for the student’s scales, etudes and repertoire.
Students:
Fill out exam date preference and contact information (on all 3 pages).
Write a check for the application fee made payable to your teacher.
Return form and check to your teacher by February 13, 2012
Teachers:
Write one check to the state ASTA chapter (“MA-ASTA”) for the total fees and send this and all applications collected to the exam coordinator.
Application forms must be postmarked by
February 17, 2012.
Teachers
of all traditions find that ASTA CAP complements and
strengthens their programs.
Further
benefits to ASTA CAP teachers include:
•
A handbook of scales, etudes, solo repertoire, and
playing goals in eleven graded
levels
•
Yearly feedback through an examiner’s comments on
each participating student’s
progress
•
Flexibility in choice of technical material and solo
repertoire
•
Greater respect from students and parents who value
national standards
Benefits
to students include:
•
A Certificate of Achievement for each year of
successful participation
•
Written documentation of one’s achievements that can
be used when applying to youth orchestras, summer
music camps, and for college
admission
•
Written standards that provide reasons to excel and
persevere from year to year of
study
•
Incentives to work on technical studies as well as
solos
•
The opportunity to play prepared materials in a
private, non-competitive
setting
•
Greater success in recitals, festivals, competitions,
and youth orchestra and college auditions
•
Uniformity of expectations between
states
Participating teachers must be current members of
ASTA at application and exam
time.
Participating
students must study with a current member of
ASTA.
Teachers
(or parents sent on their behalf) are required to
assist on an exam day
(3/25
or 3/31, 4/1 or 4/7, 2012) to assure that exams run
smoothly and efficiently.
For
complete rules and guidelines please visit the
National ASTA website:
www.astaweb.com
Questions?
Please contact the Massachusetts ASTA CAP
coordinator:
Emily
Dahl
ma.asta.cap@gmail.com
Letter to Parents
Application Forms:
ASTA application 2012
Important Information:
Teachers are urged to download a free copy of the ASTACAP Handbook as an indispensable guide for preparing students for the ASTACAP exams.
Links to the guidelines for each instruments are listed below.
ASTA CAP handbook
Violin Guidelines
Viola Guidelines
Cello Guidelines
Bass Guidelines
FAQs
ASTA CAP FAQs
ASTA CAP Brochure
ASTA CAPbrochure