From Colorado ASTA President Rebecca Jonas

I remember growing up that school normally didn’t start until the day after Labor Day, but those days are long gone for most teachers across the country, as we scramble to fit in as many days before state assessments as possible. Now, the passing of Labor Day means that many of us have been at work for a couple weeks or more, and are really starting to get our feel for the school year.

The buzz words in my school for the past three weeks have been practice and procedures. And while some of my classes are still working on some of them, (HOW do we ask permission to use the restroom? Do I go to Orchestra on purple or red days?), most of my students are starting to fall into a functional routine.

And now it’s time for inspiration! I encourage everyone to not get so wrapped up in worrying about upcoming concerts, audition prep, and large workloads that we forget about inspiring our students. Create opportunities to share the things that inspire you with them. Your favorite pieces, composers, artists, and tell them why. Look around for new material that might hook some more students. And sit back, and enjoy your time with your students. Celebrate their successes, achievements, and baby steps on their musical journey. Sometimes slowing down and taking time helps us move faster, and looking for inspiration in a wide array of places can help teach beyond the next concert or audition, sowing the seeds for lifelong music making. 

Handouts from Summer Conference Sessions

We received a few more handouts from Summer Conference sessions since the August newsletter was sent out. New handouts are listed below, and all handouts can be accessed on the Colorado ASTA website.

Chilidog Strings | The Craft of Content Creation: Keeping Your Program Relevant as Culture and Attention Shift

PowerPoint

Chilidog Strings | Strategies for Leveraging Social Media: Stake Your Claim on the New Frontier

PowerPoint

Michelle Ewer | Selecting Music to Enhance Your Elementary and Middle School Orchestra

Handout

PowerPoint

Western States Audition Deadline is September 15th

The audition deadline for Western States Honor Orchestra is September 15th at 5:00pm. Please visit the WSHOF website for more information. The next Colorado ASTA general membership meeting will take place during this event on Saturday, November 4th at the Union Colony Civic Center in Greeley. 

President-Election Nominations Approaching: Consider Getting Involved With Colorado ASTA

CASTA will be accepting nominations for President-Elect beginning in October. Candidates may nominate themselves or others. To be considered, candidates must be members of CASTA. Responsibilities include helping the President and CASTA Board with planning annual events including the Large Group Orchestra Festival, Summer Conference, CMEA, and CCAP. The CASTA Board meets monthly. Anyone interested in running should contact Rebecca Jonas, Alison Mayes, or Hannah Smith. 

Ongoing Colorado ASTA Fundraisers

Please consider supporting Colorado ASTA's ongoing fundraisers. Follow the links below for more information. 

Congratulations to the 2018 CMEA Performing Groups

Congratulations to the following schools and directors, whose orchestras were selected to perform at the 2018 CMEA Clinic/Conference!, which will take place January 25-28, 2017 at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.

Boltz Middle School Orchestra

Melissa Claeys, Director

Centennial Middle School Orchestra

Anne Paulu, Director

Denver School of the Arts Full Orchestra

Enrique Lasansky, Director

Fort Collins High School Chamber Strings

John Hermanson, Director

Lakewood High School Chamber Orchestra

Bryce Melaragno, Director

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

November 2-4, 2017: Western States Honor Orchestra Festival

January 24-27, 2018: Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA) Clinic/Conference

February 8-10, 2018: Colorado All State Orchestra

March 7-10, 2018: National ASTA Conference (Atlanta, GA)

Thank you to the following businesses for supporting Colorado ASTA!

Do you have an article, announcement, or other information you'd like to share with the Colorado ASTA membership? If so, we'd love to include it in our monthly newsletter! Please send your newsletter submissions to hsmith26@cherrycreekschools.org by the 20th of each month, and we will be sure to add them the next newsletter, which is published at the beginning of each month. Contact Hannah Smith (hsmith26@cherrycreekschools.org), Colorado ASTA webmaster and newsletter editor, with any questions.