Oregon American String Teachers Association - ASTA

03/19/2026

[from Diane Chaplin]
I have been a member of the National American String Teachers Association ASTACAP committee for four years. We have done a huge amount of work revamping the syllabus handbook for our annual exams - I am the Oregon ASTACAP chair, so I'm deeply involved at home as well. Everyone on the committee volunteers time to enrich the lives of string students, young and old. Today at the annual national meeting our ASTACAP committee received the ASTA Presidential Award for excellence in producing the updated handbook and bolstering the ASTACAP program in general. We are very proud! 🏆

10/08/2024

03/07/2023

🎶 DEADLINE EXTENDED!! 🎵

🎻OR-ASTA offers need-based scholarships for summer music study! 🙌

Submit your application by 🍀Monday, March 13th. 🍀

All students who study with an ASTA teacher, or who are ASTA members themselves, are eligible to apply. Students of all levels are welcome, with an upper limit of students enrolled as 12th graders in the 2022-23 school year.

The application includes:
1. a filled-out application, available on our website
2. a short essay, written by the student, describing specifically the purpose for the money. Winning applicants must later submit a short essay telling how the support has helped them.
3. a 3- to 10-minute video performance;
4. a letter of recommendation from the teacher.
5. confirmation that there is a financial need.
Go to https://www.orasta.org for all the details, and to complete your application. We'd love to support your music-making this summer!

The Oregon Chapter of the American String Teachers Association

02/17/2023

🎶Did you know? 🎵

🎻OR-ASTA offers need-based scholarships for summer music study! 🙌

All students who study with an ASTA teacher, or who are ASTA members themselves, are eligible to apply. Students of all levels are welcome, with an upper limit of students enrolled as 12th graders in the 2022-23 school year.

The deadline is coming up: submit your application by 🍀March 1st. 🍀

The application includes:
1. a filled-out application, available on our website
2. a short essay, written by the student, describing specifically the purpose for the money. Winning applicants must later submit a short essay telling how the support has helped them.
3. a 3- to 10-minute video performance;
4. a letter of recommendation from the teacher.
5. confirmation that there is a financial need.

Go to https://www.orasta.org for all the details, and to complete your application. We'd love to support your music-making this summer! 🌞

The Oregon Chapter of the American String Teachers Association

02/17/2023

🎉 We're excited to celebrate your students' musicianship at the annual OR-ASTA Honors Recital! 🏆

Our application deadline is just around the corner on February 26.

WHO: Students of ASTA members, or students who are ASTA members themselves, are eligible to apply. Applicants of all levels are welcome and encouraged, not just the most advanced students!

WHEN:
• Application deadline: February 26. Apply online at https://www.orasta.org/honorsrecital2023.
• Recital: Sunday, March 19 at 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: the Community Music Center in Portland.

There is no fee to apply; the application includes a video of the piece you would like to perform. Piano accompaniment (if applicable) is required for the recital; accompaniment is not necessary for the video submission.

Visit the website and apply today!🎻

Oregon ASTA has sponsored an Honors Recital since 2004, giving promising students from all over the state a chance to perform. Students of any age and level may apply, providing they study with a member of ASTA or are members themselves. Teachers are each limited to TWO students from their studio. W...

10/07/2022

LAST CALL! All submission materials for the OR-ASTA 2022 Solo Competition must be submitted by midnight on October 8. Have you checked to make sure your students' submissions are complete? We can't wait to start reviewing videos and see your hard work. Don't miss the deadline!

10/04/2022

What makes the OR-ASTA solo competition such a special event? Participation from wonderful students from around the state of Oregon, and that means YOU!

Don't forget: the deadline for payment and submission of preliminary round performance videos is right around the corner, on October 8.

🎶 The purpose of the event is to present an opportunity for advanced string students to perform and receive recognition for their hard work.

The competition is open to students of violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, and classical guitar. Participants must reside in Oregon or southern Washington.

🏆 Prizes are as follows: Junior 1st Place $300, 2nd Place $200, 3rd Place $100; Senior 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $300, 3rd Place $200

Go to orasta.org and click on "Solo Competition 2022" for all the details!

09/27/2022

We're getting down to the wire: the registration deadline for the Solo Competition is just over two weeks away, on October 8!

Take a moment to check in with your students now: did they complete *both* of the two steps for entry -- payment of fees, and performance video? Don't wait: make sure you have a plan to submit your materials before the deadline!

🎶 The purpose of the event is to present an opportunity for advanced string students to perform and receive recognition for their hard work.
The competition is open to students of violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, and classical guitar. Participants must reside in Oregon or southern Washington.

🏆 Prizes are as follows: Junior 1st Place $300, 2nd Place $200, 3rd Place $100; Senior 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $300, 3rd Place $200

Go to orasta.org and click on "Solo Competition 2022" for all the details!

09/20/2022

Are your students ready to submit their materials for the Solo Competition? It's time! Our October 8 deadline is just a few weeks away.

🎶 The purpose of the event is to present an opportunity for advanced string students to perform and receive recognition for their hard work. The competition is open to students of violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, and classical guitar. Participants must reside in Oregon or southern Washington.

🏆 Prizes are as follows: Junior 1st Place $300, 2nd Place $200, 3rd Place $100; Senior 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $300, 3rd Place $200

Go to orasta.org and click on "Solo Competition 2022" for all the details!

09/14/2022

We are thrilled to announce that registration for the preliminary round of the OR-ASTA Solo Competition is now open! 🎻🎻🎻

⏰ Don't wait: the deadline for entry is less than a month away, on October 8.

🎶 The purpose of the event is to present an opportunity for advanced string students to perform and receive recognition for their hard work. The competition is open to students of violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, and classical guitar. Participants must reside in Oregon or southern Washington.

🏆 Prizes are as follows: Junior 1st Place $300, 2nd Place $200, 3rd Place $100; Senior 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $300, 3rd Place $200

Go to orasta.org and click on "Solo Competition 2022" for all the details!

The purpose of the event is to present an opportunity for advanced string students to perform and receive recognition for their hard work.  We encourage you and your students to plan now to participate!

05/14/2022

Oregon ASTACAP is happening this weekend at the University of Portland! Best wishes to all that are having their students participate, and a huge thanks to Diane Chaplin for organizing the event!