ASTA Exams
MVMPCS Suzuki Strings students participate in the American String Teachers’ Association (ASTA) Certificate Program examinations every other year as an external means of measuring the success of the strings program. The Certificate Program tests students’ technical and musical development in 11 different levels of difficulty including tone, intonation, posture, rhythm, memorization, musicality and stage presence.
In May 2008, all 55 students that participated in the exams passed, as did the Strings Orchestra that was administered an orchestra-specific exam.
The students' performance received glowing reviews from the ASTA adjudicators from the Peabody Institute at The Johns Hopkins University including accolades from evaluator Rebecca Henry, who said, "I was especially impressed to see that these students are playing at such a level given that many are not receiving private lessons. It is truly remarkable that the overall level of posture, intonation, rhythm, and musical confidence was so high. This easily could have been a class of private students." She also stated, "The overall level is so high, my suggestions for further focus are really only in looking for some details to tweak."
Congratulations to all the sting program students and to Phyllis Freeman and the other string teachers on such a wonderful accomplishment!
|
