Welcome to the American Viola Society!
Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Fellow Viola Lovers,
Welcome to the online home of the American Viola Society – the world’s largest viola society, dedicated to celebrating and promoting the viola, its repertoire, performers, teachers, luthiers and history. We welcome anyone and everyone who shares these interests to join us!
Please take a moment to explore our website and discover the many offerings the AVS provides to our members and the viola community. Our board is hard at work bringing you more content and resources, including the following current initiatives:
- Establish the AVS Education Fund to support teachers and students as they pursue professional development and explore innovative pedagogical approaches, including our AVS Educator Mini-Grant Program
- Ensure that AVS programming reflects current US demographics –40% Black, Brown Indigenous, and People of Color, as indicated by current US Census Bureau data (These numbers will updated as new census data becomes available.)
- Curate and developing additional online content, including uploading selected recordings from recent American Viola Society Festivals
- Update our Underrepresented Composer and Viola Ensembles online databases
- Develop an online Marketplace for member use
- Continue and develop ongoing programs such as the annual Recording Project and Educator Mini-Grants, and online events such as the AVS Greenroom and Workshops
As we make progress on these goals, our website will be updated accordingly, so check back regularly to see the new content available to you. Some items are only available to current members, if you haven’t yet joined us, please consider doing so.
Your membership allows us to produce three editions of Journal of the American Viola Society each year (two print, one digital), provide instruments to students through our viola bank, present competitions for viola performers, composers and researchers, produce our biennial Festival, and numerous other initiatives.
As a member, your benefits include:
- Two print issues of the Journal of the American Viola Society
- Annual issue of JAVS Online
- Members-only access to all previous issues of the Journal of the American Viola Society through FlippingBook
- Members-only content including scores, audio, and video recordings
- Full access to the growing AVS library of pedagogical materials
- Free web advertising in the online Marketplace (coming soon!)
- Complimentary listing in the AVS National Teacher Directory
- Ability to submit viola news and events for online posting and inclusion in AVS Newsletter
- Access to American Viola Society competitions, including: Primrose International Viola Competition, Dalton Viola Research Competition, Gardner Composition Competition, Orchestral Excerpts, Viola Ensemble and Youth Competitions
- Access to attend our biennial AVS Festivals
- The opportunity to apply for a loaned instrument through the Viola Bank
- The opportunity to make your voice heard, and influence the direction of the society
- and… an opportunity to increase your network of friends in the viola family!
If you are still wondering if this is an organization for you, feel free to reach out to us at info@avsnationaloffice.org. We’d love to hear your input and help you find a place in our organization. If you use social media, feel free to follow our AVS Official Page and American Viola Society Forum discussion group on Facebook or follow us on Instagram @americanviolasociety. We look forward to hearing from you!
Warmest wishes and viola love,
Ames Asbell