WSMA is proud to announce the results of the 2015 Student Composition Project. The compositions submitted demonstrate the musical talent of Wisconsin’s students and the strong leadership of its’ teachers.
2015 AWARD WINNERS
The following students received a plaque at the 2015 WSMA Student Composition Reception, held in August at the Wisconsin Center for Music Education in Waunakee, recognizing their outstanding achievement. Additionally, each division winner receives a scholarship to study with a composer.
View photos of the award reception
MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION AWARD WINNERS (Grades 5 – 8)
*Indicates division winner.
- *Elena Santin from Jefferon Middle School in Madison is the Middle School Division Winner for the composition Ian’s Waltz that also won Best Instrumental Ensemble. In addition to a plaque, Elena will also receive a scholarship to study one-on-one with a Wisconsin based composer. Andrew Johnson is Elena’s music teacher.
- Eleri Beal from Madison Country Day Middle School won 2nd Place in the Instrumental Ensemble Category for the composition Chips and Salsa. Jon Schipper is Eleri’s music teacher.
- Reed Christian from Waunakee Middle School won Best Instrumental Solo in the Instrumental Solo Category for the composition Variations on a Gypsy Theme for Solo Violin. Michael Steen is Reed’s music teacher.
- Elena Santin from Jefferon Middle School in Madison won Best Piano Solo in the Piano Solo Category for the composition Trust. Andrew Johnson is Elena’s music teacher.
HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION AWARD WINNERS (Grades 9 – 12)
*Indicates division winner.
- *Tanner Nielsen from Luck High School is the High School Division Winner for the composition Patchwork that also won Best Piano Solo. In addition to a plaque, Tanner will receive a scholarship to study one-on-one with a Wisconsin based composer. Jennifer Gilhoi is Tanner’s music teacher.
- Nicholas Pedraza from Badger High School in Lake Geneva won 2nd Place in the Piano Solo Category for the composition Suite Aquarelles. Greg Bunge is Nicholas’ music teacher.
- Nathan Barrett from Whitewater High School won 3rd Place in the Piano Solo Category for the composition Bustle Rag. Abigail Pulvermacher is Nathan’s music teacher.
- Ryan Rasmussen from Kenosha Tremper High School won 4th Place in the Piano Solo Category for the composition Rhapsody in G Minor. Kathryn Ripley is Ryan’s music teacher.
- Amanda Fischer from Wausau West High School won 5th Place in the Piano Solo Category for the composition An Inventive Day. Charlene Kennebeck is Amanda’s music teacher.
- Max Lin from Eisenhower High School in New Berlin won Best Miscellaneous Ensemble in the Miscellaneous Ensemble Category for the composition The Melodramatic Conman. Douglas Hoeft is Max’s music teacher.
- Nathan Kay from Oconomowoc High School won Best Instrumental Jazz in the Instrumental Jazz Category for the composition Funk Sauce. Mike Krofta is Nathan’s music teacher.
- Jacob Beranek from University Lake High School in Hartland won Best Instrumental Ensemble Category in the Instrumental Ensemble Category for the composition Piano Concerto in F-Sharp Minor. Vicki Taylor is Jacob’s music teacher.
- Ben Karbowski from Brookfield Central High School won 2nd Place in the Instrumental Ensemble Category for the composition Concerto in G Major. Denice Haney is Ben’s music teacher.
- Amanda Fischer from Wausau West High School won 3rd Place in the Instrumental Ensemble Category for the composition For the Moment. Charlene Kennebeck is Amanda’s music teacher.
- Jordan Behling from Oshkosh West High School won 4th Place in the Instrumental Ensemble Category for the composition Evening on Erie. Daniel Singer is Jordan’s music teacher.
- Joseph Krause from Chippewa Falls High School won 5th Place in the Instrumental Ensemble Category for the composition The Last Safe Place. Michael Renneke is Joseph’s music teacher.
- Landon McNamer from Blair-Taylor High School won 6th Place in the Instrumental Ensemble Category for the composition Gain a Life Again. Karla Hulne is Landon’s music teacher.
2015 HONORABLE MENTION AWARDS
The following students received Honorable Mention for their compositions and will receive a Certificate of Merit.
MIDDLE SCHOOL (Listed Alphabetically)
Elena Santim, Madison Jefferson Middle School – Piano Solo, “Ice Cream Rondo”
Elena Santim, Madison Jefferson Middle School – Piano Solo, “Sisterly Love”
Nyah Jones, Waunakee Middle School – Piano Solo, “Boat Ride”
Rohan Shah, Madison Country Day MS – Instrumental Ensemble, “Sundown”
Zach Dederich, Waunakee Middle School – Instrumental Solo, “Traffic Jam”
HIGH SCHOOL (Listed Alphabetically)
Allison Keller, Mount Horeb High School – Piano Solo, “Midnight Rondo”
Andrew Igl, Oregon High School – Instrumental Ensemble, “Debajo del Cielo”
Ben Karbowski, Brookfield Central High School – Instrumental Ensemble, “Symphony in E Flat”
Emma Everitt, Madison Country Day High School – Instrumental Solo, “Pentatonic Jam”
Goerge Papajohn, Whitefish Bay High School – Vocal Solo, “2 Short Songs and Intermezzo”
Kyle Samuel, Oregon High School – Instrumental Ensemble, “Swirl”
Matthew Muldowney, Madison Country Day High School – Instrumental Ensemble, “No Worries”
Pascal Mayandji King, Green Bay Preble High School – Piano Solo, “Storm”
Zachary Serafin, Stevens Point Pacelli High School – Vocal Ensemble, “Love for the Light of Heart”
Congratulations to all of our Student Composers!
