2023 ASTA National Conference

Call for Reading Session Music

Composers and Publishers: Get your music in front of attendees at the conference in Orlando!

ASTA members are always looking for new music to add to their repertoire. Don't miss this chance to get your
publications in front of conference attendees in Orlando. We will also feature works submitted in the Music Reviews
published quarterly in American String Teacher.  

We are collecting submissions for seven reading sessions, including grade level pieces, eclectic styles pieces, and pieces by underrepresented composers and women composers for both K-12 orchestra and applied studio. 

ASTA has partnered with the Institute for Composer Diversity to manage outreach and logistics to make certain historically underrepresented composers and publishers are made aware of the opportunity. 

Deadline December 15, 2022

Criteria for Music Submissions

The criteria for repertoire in each reading session is included below. To avoid an overlap in multiple reading sessions, a composition will only be accepted into a single reading session. In the instance when a composition may qualify for multiple reading sessions, ASTA and ICD will work together to ensure an equitable distribution of works throughout all sessions. Submissions should be new works, arrangements, or editions available. Pieces should not have been submitted for an ASTA Music Reading Session within the last 10 years.

K-12 Orchestra Grades 1-3 Repertoire

  • Submissions must have a copyright date of 2021 or newer.
  • Submissions should only include grade 1-3 repertoire (along with 0.5 levels up to 3.5).
  • Submissions can also include repertoire by women and underrepresented composers.

K-12 Orchestra Grades 4-6 Repertoire

  • Submissions must have a copyright date of 2021 or newer.
  • Submissions should only include grade 4-6 repertoire (along with 0.5 levels up to 6+).
  • Submissions can also include repertoire by women and underrepresented composers.

K-12 Orchestra Repertoire by Women Composers

  • Submissions can have any copyright date, preference given to more recent works.
  • Submissions can be any grade level.
  • Submissions should be by woman composers only.

K-12 Orchestra Repertoire by Underrepresented Composers

  • Submissions can have any copyright date, preference given to more recent works.
  • Submissions can be any grade level.
  • Submissions should be by underrepresented composers only.

K-12 Orchestra Eclectic Styles Repertoire

  • Submissions must have a copyright date of 2021 or newer
  • Submissions can be any grade level
  • Submissions can also include repertoire by women and underrepresented composers

Applied Studio - Solo and Chamber Music by Women Composers

  • Submissions can have any copyright date, preference given to more recent works.
  • Submissions should be by women composers only.
  • Submissions can be for any level, based on that ASTA String Syllabus.

Applied Studio - Solo and Chamber Music by Underrepresented Composers

  • Submissions can have any copyright date, preference given to more recent works.
  • Submissions should be by underrepresented composers only.
  • Submissions can be for any level, based on that ASTA String Syllabus.


*ASTA reserves the right to place submissions into sessions based on the volume of pieces received to ensure the opportunity for every piece to be read and heard in a session. In the submission process, you will be asked for your preference of session placement, which will be taken into consideration.

ASTA will provide a list of accepted music submissions to all who attend the conference reading sessions, as well as post the list on the ASTA website as a member resource

How to Submit Music
  • All music publishers and self-publishers are encouraged and welcome to submit music for consideration. Additional opportunities to exhibit, advertise, and sponsor during the conference are also available!

  • String publishers may send up to 14 selections with no more than 2 pieces of music per category. If you publish multiple labels, you may submit up to 14 selections from each label. Please provide each piece in a Set B or Set C instrumentation. Specifically, we are looking for the instrumentation to be 8 violin I, 8 violin II, 5 viola, 5 cello, and 3 bass parts plus score. Please also include piano and any percussion parts.

  • For Eclectic Styles selections, you may submit pieces from beginner (grade 0.5) through advanced high school groups (grade 6+). Pieces with and without solo sections are acceptable. The solos may be either written out or improvised solo sections. If the solo is to be improvised, please include chord symbols in the part. Specifically, we are looking for the instrumentation to be 8 violin I, 8 violin II, 5 viola, 5 cello, and 3 bass parts plus score. Please also include piano, guitar, and any drum/percussion parts. Piano and guitar parts should preferably include chord symbols in the parts.
  • Include the following information for each piece on the submission form: 
    • title
    • composer/arranger
    • publisher's suggested grade level
    • publisher
    • price
    • duration of piece
    • available score pdf (for clinician preparation)
    • available .mp3 files (for clinician preparation)
    • link to piece listing online

The deadline for music submissions is December 15, 2022

Questions? Contact us.