Opportunities
This page contains information about job openings, summer camps, and more.
Please contact us to share an upcoming event or opportunity for Georgia's string/orchestra teachers and students. Examples might include an instrument specific day (Viola Day, Cellobration, etc.), a concerto competition, teacher’s workshop, or a job opening.
Retired Members Advocacy Service
The retired members of Georgia ASTA are offering a new free, confidential service for string teachers designed to make their careers more enjoyable and successful. Teachers can choose one or more of the areas described below and we will work with you and be your advocate in developing strategies and materials to help ensure success.
Classroom Management – time management and behavior management strategies insure students are engaged from the beginning to the end of class.
Recruitment and Retention – best practices you can use with your counselors and principals to recruit more students, get them placed in correct classes each year and keep them in your class during all of their years in school.
Self Care – strategies to lower your stress level, feel better about yourself and better manage your time
Social/Emotional Learning – ways to use music to teach social/emotional learning skills to students
Personal Program Advocacy – raising the profile of your program in your school and community to let everyone know the great things happening in your class and in your concerts.
Concert Planning – choosing music appropriate to the curriculum for each of the year’s concerts.
Rehearsal Planning – how to get the most out of your rehearsal/class time using appropriate warm-ups, technique builders and proper pacing.
Rehearsal Assistance – working with the entire group or individual sections as needed.
Meetings can be scheduled before school, after school or during planning periods. This is in addition to observations and assistance with classes.
Teachers, register for this service!
If you have any questions please email Richard Bell at rbelld@earthlink.net .
Workshops
At the National Conference in Louisville -- The Pre-Conference Teachers Orchestra this year will be led by Georgia's own Tamara Dworetz on Wednesday, March 20.
New this year is a collaboration with the New Canon Project and they will be performing the world premiers of five grade 2-3 pieces by Black/Latino composers!!
Here is registration for the pre-conference, which is an additional registration.
https://www.astastrings.org/site/2024-conference-registration
Job Openings
No jobs posted at this time.
Summer Camps
Below is some information on wonderful summer opportunities available to orchestra students! Please double-check the information as some dates/prices may be subject to change and some camps may be at maximum capacity. Some of these camps are just day camps, while others are boarding camps; some offer both options. Remember that summer music camps are not the only enrichment opportunity.
Georgia ASTA Summer Orchestra Camp
(4 days, $87 a day) Camp Calvin near Hampton, GA, $375 (plus processing fee)
Intermediate Camp, May 30- June 2:Intermediate to advanced students who have just completed 4th or 5th grade with 2+ years of experience as well as beginning to intermediate 6th grade students (1+ year of experience) will find this camp the perfect balance of challenges and fun! This camp is limited to 34 students so register early!
Advanced Camp,June 3 – 6:6th through 9th grade orchestra students with 2+ years of experience who want to hone their skills and have fun at the same time! This camp is limited to 60 students and sells out every year so register early if you want to insure you’ve got a spot!
The Georgia American String Teachers Association Summer Orchestra Camp is the perfect camp for your 4th through 9th grade violin, viola, cello, or bass student. For over 20 years, we have been one of the premier summer camps for string students, focusing on string pedagogy, orchestral experience, and of course, plenty of fun around the edges. Our experienced counseling staff provide a positive and supportive environment where campers can learn additional skills and navigate new experiences. Housed at the beautiful Calvin Center in Hampton, Georgia, we are close to home, but just far enough away for this to be a great “camp” experience for all. Spending so much time together, campers learn first-hand how to socialize better and build long-lasting friendships. Our overnight camp programs offer campers of all experience levels a place to succeed. With skill level-appropriate repertoire and chamber groups, innovative conducting staff, and a host of fun camp activities, everyone from first time campers to experienced performers will find a place to shine.
Athena Music and Leadership Camp
Athena Music and Leadership Camp: An All Girls Band and Orchestra Camp
June 10-14, 5 days, ($107 a day), Reinhardt University, Waleska, Georgia
New Campers $535 by May 1st; after May 1st$565
Returning campers $515 by May 1st; after May 1st$565
Athena offers middle and high school-age female musicians a comprehensive five-day music camp experience while emphasizing leadership and team-building skills. Our faculty consists of professional women who teach band, orchestra, and private music lessons at the elementary, middle school, high school, and college levels.
Buckhead Strings Camp
http://www.buckheadstringscamp.com
June 18-22, 2018, $295, Don & Mary Ellen Harp Student Center, 3209 Mathieson Place, Atlanta, GA 30305 (near Peachtree Road UMC)
If your child is ready for a fun and challenging summer strings experience, directed by skilled teachers who know how to have fun too, then you’ve definitely come to the right place! The week of day camp includes a ton of fun and engaging string orchestra jam sessions and a fun culminating performance for friends and family. We’ve specially designed this program for students in rising 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th grades, with at least one year of experience playing violin, viola, cello or double bass.
Elaris Summer String Academy
Georgia Southern University
Armstrong Campus (Savannah, GA)
June 1–5, 2018 An intensive program of solo and chamber music for serious string players, ages 13-23, who will have the opportunity to study with the internationally acclaimed Elaris Duo, Dr. Larisa Elisha, violin and Dr. Steven Elisha, cello, (Directors of the Academy and String Program at Georgia Southern University) and other world-renowned artist-teacher faculty.
The Elaris Summer String Academy is for students 13 to 23 and will include:
World-renowned Artist-Teacher Faculty, String Master Classes, Chamber Ensemble Coaching, Individual Instrumental Lessons, Topic Workshops, Chamber Orchestra Rehearsals, and Faculty and Student Performances
Concerts on June 4 and 5.
Meals & Housing – Early Registration (before April 30) $450 – Regular Registration $475
Staying Off Campus – Registration Fee $250 – Registration Fee & Meals $375
Adult Chaperone – Meals & Housing $230 – Meals Only $101
Meals include: Dinner on June 1 through Dinner on June 5
Encore String Camp
http://www.encoreorchestracamp.com/
(5 days, $105 a day)
Clayton State University, July 8-12,Fee $535, $100 deposit due with application, full tuition due June 1st.
Encore Orchestra Camp provides an enjoyable musical experience for students from beginner level through 9th grade (students may attend between 9th and 10th grade). Students receive a good blend of educational and recreational activities during the week. Rehearsals and master classes are conducted by some of the best orchestra directors in the state of Georgia with years of success in working with string students at this level. In addition to rehearsals and master classes, afternoon and evening recreational times are scheduled. The camp closes with concert performances in the evening of the final day of camp. Recreational activities include swim time, ice cream and pizza parties, a dance, recitals, and time at the University Center, bookstore, and coffee shop.
Why choose Encore? An established camp with a 29-year history ~ 24-hour student supervision by staff members who are certified teachers ~ experienced conductors with a combined total of over 100 years on the ENCORE! Staff ~ good blend of instructional and recreational activities ~ master classes with specialists on all instruments ~ final performance in the world class Spivey Hall!
Fayette County Summer String Camp
($125, please bring a sack lunch each day)
July 23-26, First United Methodist Church, Fayetteville, GA
This camp offers beginning, intermediate and advanced orchestra settings. From no previous string experience where students will learn the fundamentals of the instrument, including parts, posture, instrument positions and note reading through at least two years of experience where students will learn advanced repertoire and techniques, scales, All-State audition material and solo and ensemble literature and possibly participate in chamber orchestras. Student placement will be evaluated on the first day of summer strings to ensure best practices for each student.
Georgia College Chamber Music Camp
The Georgia College Department of Music presents the inaugural Georgia College Chamber Music Camp, June 17-22, 2018. Open to rising 9-12 instrumentalists (winds, strings, pianists, and percussion), all students will participate in chamber rehearsals/coaching with Georgia College faculty culminating in an end of the week concert. Additionally, students will have daily courses dealing with various subjects and issues involved with the performance of chamber music. Chamber Ensembles will be formed from participating students. Additionally, pre-formed groups of 3 or more are encouraged to attend.
Location: Georgia College, in Milledgeville, Georgia is the perfect place for summer music camps. Perfect not only because of its location in the heart of Georgia, but also because of its beautiful 112-year-old campus, great facilities, excellent residential halls, and exceptional food service. All tuition prices for the Georgia College Chamber Music Camp include instruction, housing, meals, and the camp T-shirt. Individual tuition for Georgia College Chamber Music Camp is $495. Pre-formed chamber groups of 3 or more individuals will have a discounted tuition of $445 per member. Members of the 2018 All-State band or orchestra ensembles will have a discounted tuition of $395. For additional information about the Georgia College Chamber Music Camp, please contact Dr. Stephen Fischer at Stephen.Fischer@gcsu.edu.
Kennesaw State Summer Music Intensive
http://arts.kennesaw.edu/music/concerts-and-events/music-intensive.php
June 4-8, The cost for the Summer Music Intensive is $295 per student and includes lunch each day. These one-week, non-residential programs are perfect for young artists who are serious about honing their craft and learning more about what it is like to pursue college-level work in the arts.
The Summer Music Experience at KSU is a unique program that engages students artistically, technically, and conceptually as both individual musicians and collaborative groups. Performance opportunities in large and small ensembles will challenge students at the personal level. Working with renowned KSU faculty performers and current KSU music students will develop participants’ technical abilities, expand their creativity, and enhance their passion for music in an atmosphere of artistic and intellectual discovery. Participants will collaborate with peers across an array of musical disciplines in focused daily activities that culminate in fun and engaging group activities. They will learn more about diverse topics ranging from creativity and improvisation to composition and music technology. They will also participate in an exchange of ideas with KSU students, fellow peers, and the accomplished KSU faculty in a variety of academic classes, rehearsals, instrument-specific tech classes, and various collaborative experiences throughout each day.
Students may participate in the following areas: band, orchestra, choral, classical guitar, and piano.
Laurel Ridge Music Camp
laurelridgemusiccamp@yahoo.com or www.northgeorgiamusic.org
(7 or 14 days, $114-100 a day)
Mountain Lakes Resort near Helen, GA
Fee: New Campers: 1 week $800, 2 weeks $1400, $200 (or $350 for two weeks)
Returning Campers:1 week $700 2 weeks $1200
Early registration discounts available and discounts for returning campers July 8-14 and/or July 15-21,
Inspired by a love of chamber music, the outdoors, and teaching young string students, Rebecca and Laurin decided to start a summer camp that combined music and horses in a summer chamber music camp where string students of various ages and abilities could come together each summer and receive high level instruction from our wonderful Artist Faculty and then enjoy the North Georgia Mountains on the back of a horse as well! Laurel Ridge Farms has hosted our camp for 4 years and we just finished the second year at Mountain Lakes Resort near Helen, GA. At camp, students play in orchestra every day, receive coaching from the Artist Faculty in two additional small ensembles such as a quartet or a trio, play the recorder, sing in chorus, learn about music theory and music literature. Students attend master classes and performance classes with Guest Artist Faculty, as well as attend Faculty Chamber Music Concerts.
Campers also have fun with folk dancing, drum circles, ukuleles, bon fires, boating, tennis, hiking, mini golf, the water slide, tubing, visiting nearby attractions, making new friends, and of course riding horses!
Peachtree Ridge High School Orchestra Camp
http://prhscommunityschool.onmycalendar.com
EVENING CAMP 4 days, $15 a day
Peachtree Ridge HS, Suwanee, GA, June 11–14, 6pm-9pm, $60 (includes t-shirt)
“Food, Fun, and Cool Music- make new friends and play a concert Thursday night, enjoying your very own Lions Orchestra t-shirt!”
UGA Summer Music Camp
https://ugamusiccamps.weebly.com/music-camp.html
(5 days, $84-$104 a day depending on whether you stay in the dorm)
UGA campus, Athens, June 3-7, Day Campers $420 (includes lunch and dinner), Dorm Campers $520
A one-hour private lesson $54; two one hour private lessons $108
The University of Georgia Summer Music Camp is an intensive five-day musical experience that offers students a place to grow musically in a fun and exciting learning environment. Summer Music Campers attend academic classes that address important areas of musicianship. Campers also attend instrument-specific masterclasses under the direction of the acclaimed faculty of UGA’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Band, orchestra, and chorus students rehearse and perform in the appropriate large ensembles, while piano and guitar students focus on performance practice and the standard literature for the instrument. In addition, Summer Music Campers have many opportunities to socialize, develop relationships with other young musicians, and experience life on a great university campus.
Upbeat! String Camp
www.upbeatstringcamp.com or http://www.upbeatstringcamp.com/contact-us/
July 9-12, 2018, $260, East Cobb, West Cobb, North Fulton locations
Upbeat! is an exciting and fun day camp that will help you learn more about your instrument, improve your playing, and make you a more confident player. They design the camp to be challenging but also lots of fun! It’s the perfect cure for the “summertime blues!”
Upbeat! camp admits string players entering middle school through high school. For the last four years, many advanced students have been admitted to the Upbeat! Academy. The Academy focuses on higher-level study for the most advanced and mature musicians.
Early Bird Tuition is just $245 before May 15. After this day, regular tuition is $260. Payments can be made by mailing in a check along with the site-specific registration form or registering and paying online via PayPal.
Camps in Florida and the Carolinas
Florida State University Summer Music Camps
https://www.music.fsu.edu/summermusiccamps/String-Orchestra-Camp
June 24- July 7, 14 days, $64 a day, Tallahassee, FL
Deposit of $100 required, will go towards tuition and balance due by June 12th. Tuition $907 (room and board)
Only open to 7ththru 12 graders (rising 7thgraders not eligible)
The camp includes two full symphony orchestras, two string orchestras, and a chamber orchestra; chamber ensemble rehearsals and concerts; sectional/master classes; supervised practice; and optional private lessons.
Nighttime and weekend activities include movies, a dance, bowling, ice-cream social, concerts, swimming, etc.
You will be about 30 minutes from the beach at Alligator Point or about 2 hours from Panama City Beach if your family would like to take a trip to the beach at the conclusion of camp
Contact: Summer Music Camps, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1180 or (850) 644-9934
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Summer Camp
(6 days, $82.50 a day) July 8-13, or July 15-20, Fee $495
Junior Orchestra Grades 6 through 8 and have played at least two years
Violin, viola, cello, bass
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is pleased to again announce plans for Summer Music Camp, the largest university music camp in America! This summer we will offer two one-week camps, serving over 1,900 musicians, with programs in band, mixed chorus, orchestra, and piano. Join us for a great musical experience! Students at camp are under the leadership and guidance of the artist-faculty of the UNCG School of Music, Theatre and Dance, long recognized as a national leader in musical excellence. In addition, distinguished music teachers, performers, and conductors from throughout the state and nation will join the staff of Summer Music Camp to ensure that each student receives the highest quality instruction available. Ensemble performance in band, chorus, or orchestra will be emphasized and each camp will conclude on Friday evening with a concert for parents, relatives, friends, and area residents. Classes in basic musicianship, as well as recital performances and sectional rehearsals by the camp staff members will serve to balance the total program. A private lesson on your instrument, in voice, or on piano is an available option to all campers.
Furman Band and Orchestra Camp
South Carolina (6 days, $85 a day)
June 10-15, Fee $510 for residential camper. Middle school student must have at least two yearsof study and ensemble experience on your concert band or orchestral string instrument prior to camp. Students must be 12 on or before June 1st.
Furman’s Band and Orchestra Camp is a unique one-week experience designed to help 260 students, ages 12-18, fuel their musical enthusiasm and boost their playing skills. Talented musicians from across the country come to Furman with expectations of taking their performance skills to the next level. Students are challenged in vigorous daily rehearsals, musicianship classes, and master classes. Students perform in one of four large ensembles (a full symphony orchestra, a string orchestra, and two concert bands) and may audition for a jazz ensemble, various chamber groups, or perform as a soloist on the Honors Solo Recital. Evening recitals and the Friday concert are open to the public. Private lessons available for an additional fee. In addition to performance instruction, the camp offers classes in basic musicianship for all levels, optional private lessons and daily recreational activities, all within the beautiful setting of the Furman campus. The week offers a memorable experience of musicianship and camaraderie.