KASTA Newsletter Archive
Bringing our string community together one idea at a time.
Mission
Our mission is to promote communication and community between collegiate, pre-service, and professional string educators throughout Kansas by disseminating critical thought and opinion through the discussion of string-specific topics.
Vision
We believe that sharing knowledge is one of the primary means of advancing string education and enhancing the educational experiences for all Kansan music students and teachers, past, present, and future.
Submissions may include, but are not limited to:
Articles examining pedagogical, curricular, and other educational perspectives;
Articles that highlight a your program’s experiences;
Articles examining perspectives on music and human behavior;
Historical accounts of Kansas music programs or related material;
Students’ creative or music-educational writings;
Research abstracts or reports with direct application to string instructional environments;
Reviews (e.g., books, music, research); and
Rebuttals and letters that promote healthy and progressive discussion.
KASTA Newsletter Archive
This archive comprises past and present articles published in the KASTA Newsletter, 2010-Present. Articles have been sorted in categories below. If you see something you like, open the corresponding ‘Article Link’ or find the article’s issue in the catalogue.
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2019
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2012
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2010
Violin/Viola
Tension: A String Players Worst Enemy | Matt Means | 2012, 11(3)
How to Prepare a New Piece | Matt Means | 2013, 12(1)
Exploring Pre-Bowing Exercises: The Search for a Definition and its Application | Jacob M. Dakon | 2013, 12(2)
The Violin Sonatas and Partitas of J. S. Bach: A Ranking and Pedagogical Analysis | Matt Means | 2013, 12(2)
Everything you Need to Know about Teaching Low 2nd Finger | Lauren E. Rigby | 2016, 15(2)
Thinking Holistically about Teaching B-Flat | Jacob M. Dakon | 2016, 15(2)
Cello/Bass
Cello Platform Boxes: Hidden Dangers | David Littrell | 1989, Article Link
Reviewing Gerhard Mantel’s Cello Technique: Principles & Forms of Movement | 2014, 13 (2)
Use of the Right Arm in Low Strings: Weight vs. Pressure | Benjamin Cline | 2014, 13(3)
“Fast Position” Extensions on the Cello | David Littrell | 2016, 15(1)
Basketball Made Me a Better Cellist: Teaching Extensions with the Pivot | Rachel Dirks | 2016, 15(1)
Thinking Beyond D, G, & C: Classroom Bass Teaching | Mac Mayer | 2016, 15(1)
Conducting
Instrumental Conducting: Back to the Basics | Jesse Henkensiefken | 2016, 15(3)
Assessment
What I Listen for When I Adjudicate Orchestras and Solos | David Littrell | 2002, Article Link
History of Kansas Orchestra Programs
Echoes from Our Past | Larry R. Williams | 2010, 9(2)
Echoes from Our Orchestras Past | Larry R. Williams | 2011, 10(1)
Echoes from Our Orchestras Past | Larry R. Williams | 2012, 11(3)
Echoes from Orchestras Past | Larry R. Williams | 2011, 10(2)
Echoes from Orchestras Past | Larry R. Williams | 2013, 12(1)
Echoes from Orchestras Past | Larry R. Williams | 2013, 12(2)
Echoes from our Orchestras Past: Sight Reading was Part of the Kansas Contests | Larry R. Williams | 2014, 13(1)
Practicing
Practice Aphorisms | David Littrell | 2006, Article Link
Private Teaching
A Conversation with Quinn Lake [Pros & Cons of Private Teaching] |
Eric Crawford | 2015, 14(1)
String Classroom Teaching
When to Begin | Eric Crawford | 2010, 9(2)
Towards an Even Better Product: Seven Habits of Highly Effective School Orchestra Programs | Matt Means | 2014, 13(1)
Moving Forward, Looking Backward: A Discussion Regarding Pedagogical Texts still Relevant to the 21st Century String Pedagogy | McCarthy M. Mayer | 2014 13(1)
Technology
Technology in the Music Classroom | n.a. | 2011, 10(1)
Unique Aspects of Kansas
The String Academy of the Plains Creates New Concert Series: Strings and Friends |
Priscilla Hallberg | 2014, 13(2)