Student Composers Honored by WSMA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Phone: 608-850-3566
Web: www.wsmamusic.org
WAUNAKEE, Wis. (June 7, 2006) – Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) honored winners of its 18th annual WSMA/DPI Student Composition Project on May 26. Eight students from across the state were recognized for their creative musical work during an awards ceremony at the State Capitol building in Madison.
WSMA Board of Directors officials addressed the students and select winning composition recordings were played at the event. Students' music teachers, principals, superintendents, parents and other family members attended the ceremony.
The Student Composition Project is sponsored by WSMA and DPI. Its goal is to encourage the positive artistic and creative musical abilities of Wisconsin students. An integral component of the National Standards for Music Education, the Student Composition Project is a fundamental extension of the creative element of music education specified in Wisconsin’s music curriculum guide.
Middle School Division
In the Middle School Division (grades 5-8), Zachary Buechner from Glacier Creek Middle School in Cross Plains won two First Place awards. His compositions include “Symphony No. 1 in D Minor,” which also won Best Instrumental Ensemble, and “Symphony in Ab Major ‘Bassoon Symphony’.” Joe Meland of Madison’s Spring Harbor Middle School won Third Place in the Middle School Division for “Waltz of the Kelpies.”
High School Division
In the High School Division (grades 9-12), several students were recognized. First place and Best Instrumental Solo awards were given to Bob Logan of IQ Academies in Waukesha for his composition, “Reflection.” Tom Angsten of Oconomowoc High School earned the Second Place and Best Instrumental Ensemble Awards for his “Symphony No. 1, Empezar: 3. Presto” composition. Peter Mackie and Caitlin Desjardins from Middleton High School won Third Place and Best Collaborative Ensemble Awards for “Peter Pan Suite.” Best Instrumental Jazz Composition went to Alyssa Kroes of Racine Horlick High School for “Alyssa’s Cruise.” Trevor Anderson of Baldwin-Woodville High School won Best Vocal Ensemble for “Hodie Christus Natus Est.”
Statewide, 48 students in grades 5-12 submitted compositions to WSMA in one of eight categories. A total of 40 students submitted compositions in the High School Division and eight students entered the Middle School Division. All compositions were evaluated by two professional Wisconsin composers. The following students received honorable mention certificates for their compositions:
| Student's Name | School | Composition Title | Category |
| Jesse Brault | Westby High School | "The Power of Seven" | Instrumental Ensemble |
| Christine Carroll | Kenosha Christian | "An Elbereth Giltoniel" | Vocal Ensemble |
| Emily Cooley | University School of Milwaukee | "Cityscape" | Instrumental Solo |
| Emily Cooley | University School of Milwaukee | "Medieval Landscape" | Instrumental Ensemble |
| Alexander Hurlburt | Wausau West High School | "Autumn Ambience" | Instrumental Solo |
| Peter Mackie | Middleton High School | "On the Shores of the Sea" | Vocal Ensemble |
| Anthony Plopper | La Crosse Central High School | "What Will Be, What Has Been" | Instrumental Solo |
| Brian Schoettler | Kenosha Tremper High School | "Air for Symphonic Winds" | Instrumental Ensemble |
For more information about WSMA and the Student Composition Program, go to http://www.wsmamusic.org/programs/composition_project/index.html
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Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) is a service organization with more than 950 member public and private schools. Each year, more than 220,000 student participants take part in WSMA activities, including District and State Music Festivals, State Honors Projects, State Marching Band Championships and Concert Festivals. WSMA, also owner and operator of the Wisconsin Center for Music Education, is governed by a Board of Directors made up of superintendents, principals and other officers from all over our state. WSMA believes music is a basic human need and that all children have the right to experience all that music offers them.