9:00 A.M.

Chops, Ghosts, Jazz Bowing, and Conversation: Teaching improvisation and jazz styles to string players.
Mrs. Paula Zeitlin
Cambridge Room
Bring your instrument and explore basic improvisation techniques that you can use with your students at most levels, even if you are not an improvising musician yourself. The session will also include bowing techniques for jazz articulation and special effects, left-hand ornamentation (vibrato, slides), interpreting swing and other jazz styles, playing with a rhythm section, and having a good time.

11:45 A.M.

Rehearsal Potpourri
Mrs. Pamela Tellejohn Hayes
Cambridge Room
This session will encourage teachers to use creative thinking in the orchestra classroom in order to develop better rehearsal skills. Different ideas will be explored for improving rhythm, intonation, musicality, tone quality & technique.

1:00 P.M.

Developing Proper Playing Position
Mrs. Pamela Tellejohn Hayes
Cambridge Room
This session will focus on techniques that go beyond a method book in developing playing position in the heterogeneous string class.

3:45 P.M.

String Orchestra Reading Session
Christopher Memoli, Clinician
Cambridge Room
This reading session will review the newest publications for string orchestra. Come and bring your instrument to sight read everything from beginning orchestra music through advanced literature. A few instruments will be available for use courtesy of Johnson String Instrument.

6:30 P.M.

MA-ASTA General Membership Meeting and Reception
Jane Ezbicki, President
A brief overview of ASTA events and initiatives in Massachusetts followed by a free reception sponsored by Johnson Strings. All string teachers are welcome to come meet and greet with colleagues.

8:00 A.M.

Ensemble Skill Development: The Long and Short of Rehearsal Techniques (Double Session 8:00-10:15)
Dr. Louis Bergonzi
Cambridge Room
This session will include an overview of principles and practical techniques designed to improve an orchestra's rhythm, sound production, and intonation. Ways of keeping the whole group involved in the rehearsal process will also be explored. This session is applicable to elementary, middle, and high school string and symphonic orchestras. Please bring instruments.

12:00 P.M.

Engaging Rehearsals. I’m not going to let you sit there!
Dr. Louis Bergonzi
Cambridge Room
Principles and practical techniques that activate the rehearsal process for students and improve an orchestra's rhythm, sound production, and intonation. Ways of keeping the whole group involved in the rehearsal process will also be explored. Applicable to elementary, middle, and high school string and symphonic orchestras. Please bring instruments.

2:45 P.M.

Jazz String Big Band: Reading session with rhythm section.
Mrs. Paula Zeitlin, Clinician
Cambridge Room
String players join up with piano, bass and drums to read jazz arrangements for string ensemble that include improvisation as well as written-out sections. We will play several different kinds of arrangements all the way through, with many soloing opportunities (whether you’ve ever improvised or not!). We will discuss criteria for choosing pieces for your ensemble, and where to find publishers and resources. Bring instruments!

5:30 P.M.

Setting Up Your Students for Success
Ms Vicki Hayes
Cambridge Room
This session is designed to help teachers understand what instruments (antique and new instruments) are currently available for students at affordable prices. This session will allow participants to actually play and hear different instruments and bows (both wood and carbon fiber). Ideas about string choices, set-up issues, and instrument maintenance will also be discussed in connection with our instrument selection.

10:45 A.M.

Teaching New England Fiddling
Mr. Dudley Laufman
Georgian Room
In this session teachers will explore how fiddling and dancing form an integrated whole and are a means to experiencing traditional music and social culture.