2024 ASTA National Conference

March 20-23, 2024  |  Louisville, Kentucky

Requirements for Session and Research Poster Proposals

1. All session and research poster proposals will only be accepted through this online submission process.  

Session and Music Showcase Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 PM PDT on Monday June 5, 2023. 
Research Poster Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 PM PDT on Monday, October 16, 2023.

2. All session and research poster presenters and co-presenters MUST BE current ASTA members when submitting the proposal and at the time of the presentation and are expected to register for the full conference. Submissions by and including nonmembers will be rejected. You can check membership status, become a member, or renew using this LINK. 

3. All proposals must be complete to receive consideration. Proposals that are incomplete or do not meet the guidelines will be declined. 

4. Because these submissions are reviewed in a blind, peer-review process, please do not include your name or any identifying markings, including any Personal Identifiable Information (PII) within the content of the proposal. 

Co-location with SAA Details 

1. The 2024 ASTA National Conference will be co-locating with the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) National Conference in Louisville, KY. 

2. While ASTA and SAA will share keynote and performance stages during the co-located conferences, sessions will not be jointly programmed by both organizations. Proposal submitters may submit to both organizations, but there will be no sessions that are jointly offered by SAA and ASTA.  

3. Proposals may be submitted to both organizations for consideration through each organization’s session proposal process. 

4. The same proposal cannot be accepted by both organizations. Please consider this as you apply. 

5. For ASTA session proposals, a submitter must follow all ASTA session submission rules, including being a member of ASTA.   

6. ASTA and SAA will review their session proposals independently. 

7. ASTA and SAA will share information on session submissions to create as diverse and full a conference agenda for each organization as possible.  

I. Session Proposals

1. Sessions will be presented live at the national conference in Louisville, KY, between March 20-23, 2024. All presenters are expected to register and attend the conference in person to present.  

2. The committee will not accept session proposals that are solely performance based or those that promote individual commercial products. Commercial materials may be used in a session for educational objectives, but they cannot be used for promotional purposes. Taking orders or selling products during the session is prohibited.  

3. Music Industry Showcase applications (sessions promoting commercial products) are available for purchase and must be reserved separately. Music Industry Showcases are not handled through this online application platform. To learn more, please contact meetings@astastrings.org.  

4. You can learn more about how sessions are reviewed by the ASTA National Conference Committee HERE. 

Presenter Demographic Data
Our strategic plan states: "ASTA creates and leads a community of diverse members.." To do so, the Association collects demographic information to ensure leaders, programs, services, and member benefits reflect our string teaching community. Please share your information to help build a clearer picture of whom we serve. Personal demographic information will never be shared with a third party nor used for marketing purposes. Feel free to use the "Prefer not to disclose" response for any question.

Proposal Artifacts to Prepare for Submission 
Session Title (5-10 words) 
Marketing Description (50-75 words) 
Abstract (250-300 words) 
Learning Format
Primary and Secondary Focus Areas
Primary and Secondary Session Topics
Target Instrument(s)
Demonstration Group Information (if applicable) 
Additional Presentation Opportunities
Session Room Need (music stands, piano, standard AV equipment)
Possible Session Presider Names and Email Addresses

Notifications for Session Proposals will be sent by September 2023.  
You will be notified via email, so make sure that your email address is correct in the proposal application. 

Learning Formats

Learning formats support a range of instruction that give attendees the option of choosing different content, materials, and methods to match their objectives. ASTA will publicize the session types in 2024.

**Each session block will be 45 minutes. If you wish to leave time for questions, please include that time in your 45-minute time allotment.  

**For Express Talks, there will be two presentations placed in each presentation block.  

• Listen and Learn (45 minutes) – A blend of lecture-based instruction, interaction, and case studies
• Learn and Play (45 minutes) – Hands-on learning experience with the speaker; attendees are encouraged to bring their instruments to participate
• Panel Discussion (45 minutes) – Facilitated conversation with a group of experts and the audience
• Demonstration Group (45 minutes) – Watch and learn with a group focusing on skill (demo group size limits apply, the presenter must provide their own demonstration group)
• Express Talk (20 minutes) – TED-style talk given by one person that explores a single idea with practical teaching or performing tips, projects, or state/collegiate chapter ideas to exchange
• Idea Exchange Poster (45-minute poster session) - An opportunity for presenters to share incredible ideas with colleagues in a poster format.  Presenters and attendees will be able to converse, connect, and engage through the poster topics.
• Pre-conference Workshop (5 hours) – Held 12:00 - 5:00 PM on Wednesday, March 20, 2024; provides intensive education in a small class setting

Focus Areas

The conference committee aims to have a program that serves the needs of ASTA's diverse community of string teachers; therefore, sessions are selected to meet the needs of the following categories.

Presenters are required to choose two focus areas for their proposed sessions: one as the primary area for the proposed session and another as a secondary area:

• College/University – Content covers pedagogy, instructional topics, teacher preparation, and research relevant to higher education professors, performers, and conductors.
• Community Music – Content covers topics relevant to community music programs, such as youth orchestra programs, El Sistema, New Horizons, and other community-based ensembles.
• DEI – Content covers topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and exceptionalities, both in terms of the people in the string teacher profession (teachers, players, learners) and the content covered by the string teacher profession (repertoire, genres, styles).
• Eclectic Styles – Content covers topics related to teaching eclectic or multi-style music, including but not limited to fiddle, rock, jazz, mariachi, and all world music.
• Emeritus - Content is directly related to opportunities and topics for retired and senior ASTA members, such as transitioning into retirement, financial planning, and opportunities to continue to contribute to the profession.
• General – Theory, copyright, advocacy, entrepreneurship, mentoring, ASTACAP,  non-string players teaching strings, and non-classroom-based technology.
• School Orchestra – Content covers pedagogy, instruction methods, classroom management, rehearsal strategies, repertoire, classroom-based technology, and other topics relevant to public/private school teachers.
• Student – Content covers topics relevant to college student attendees who are working toward becoming string teachers and performers (school, studio, performers, scholars), such as completing music degrees, finding employment, or attending graduate school.
• Studio & Chamber Music – Content covers pedagogy, instructional methods, repertoire, and administrative tasks relevant to private studio instructors.
• Wellness – Content covers topics relevant to the health and wellness of string teachers, students, and players, including but not limited to body mapping, metal health, teacher and student productivity.

Sample Session Topics

The following is a list of sample topics for sessions needed for the conference as collected in previous conference surveys.

• Adjudication
• Advocacy
• Arranging and composing
• Audition prep and college applications for teachers and students
• Beginner, intermediate, and advanced instrument techniques (including musicianship)
• Body awareness, physical wellness, performance anxiety, and injury prevention
• Chamber music
• Community engagement and outreach for youth and adult programs
• Conducting
• Curriculum
• DEI/Social Justice
• Eclectic Styles
• Engaging warm-ups and ensemble rehearsal strategies
• Grant writing and funding ideas
• Improvisation
• Inclusion/Accessibility
• Individual, group class, and classroom teaching and assessment strategies
• Instrument purchase, repair, and maintenance
• Marketing/Promotions
• Mental/Emotional health for teachers and students
• Pedagogy, including secondary instruments and for non-string specialists (*Need for more cello and double bass!)
• Repertoire and teaching materials
• Research Applications
• Student motivation and leadership
• Teacher recruitment and retention
• Teaching in specific locations: rural, town, suburban, urban
• Technology (Learning Management Systems and teaching aids)

II. Research Poster Proposals

1. Research Posters will be presented live at the national conference in Louisville, KY, between March 20-23, 2024. All presenters are expected to register and attend the conference in person to present.  

2. The Research Poster Session is open to reports of research projects involving any aspect of string playing and teaching, including those that are philosophical, theoretical, or historical in nature, as well as reports that are qualitative and quantitative in design. 

3. We are accepting reports of research conducted by undergraduate students, graduate students, university faculty, and practicing teachers in public or private schools and studios.

4. Proposals may take the form of a full paper or a 500-word abstract that outlines the problem, procedures, and results of the research. 

5. Proposals should not have been published prior to the conference and must meet the Research Publication / Presentation Code of Ethics. 

6. Papers presented at other conferences will be considered if the audience was substantially different (e.g., a state meeting or a university symposium). A statement specifying particulars of any earlier presentation must be included with the proposal.

Presenter Demographic Data
Our strategic plan states: "ASTA creates and leads a community of diverse members.." To do so, the Association collects demographic information to ensure leaders, programs, services, and member benefits reflect our string teaching community. Please share your information to help build a clearer picture of whom we serve. Personal demographic information will never be shared with a third party nor used for marketing purposes. Feel free to use the "Prefer not to disclose" response for any question.

Proposal Artifacts to Prepare for Submission 
Session Title (up to 15 words) 
Marketing Description (50-75 words) 
Abstract (up to 500 words) OR Upload Research Paper (doc, docx, or pdf)

Notifications for Session Proposals will be sent by December 2023.  
You will be notified via email, so make sure that your email address is correct in the proposal application.