WSMA High School State Honors Music Project
| About High School Honors |
What is the WSMA State Honors Music
Project?
The Wisconsin State Honors Music Project offers talented youth the
opportunity to rehearse and perform with nationally-known conductors
in a professional setting. All Honors groups perform at the Wisconsin
State Music Conference. Middle Level State Honors students receive
their music in August and meet for the first time the day before
their fall performance. High School State Honors students sight-read
their music at their June Summer Camp and also rehearse before the
fall concerts.
Eligibility
Students currently enrolled as full or part-time students in grades
6, 7 and 8 from WSMA-member schools are eligible to audition for
the Middle Level State Honors Project. Students currently enrolled
as full-time students in grades 9, 10 and 11 from WSMA-member schools
are eligible to audition for the High School State Honors Project.
Students applying to audition for Honors must be a member of their
corresponding school music performing group during the audition.
Students selected for Honors membership must also be a member of
their corresponding school music group during the fall Honors performance.
Attendance is required at all Honors activities for the entire scheduled
length of time.
Audition Requirements
Audition requirements can be printed from this web site, and must
be followed carefully. Late applications will not be accepted. Teachers
can make copies of the requirements, preferably at least three months
before the auditions. Students should be prepared to perform any
part or all of their solo during the audition. Instrumental scales
must be memorized according to the articulation/bowing patterns
found on the audition requirements. All Middle Level Honors auditioners
participate in a 15-minute non-adjudicated Ensemble Class taught
by the adjudicator within one hour of their scheduled private audition.
Online Registration
Registration for both the High School and Middle Level State Honors Music Projects is done online.
The High School State Honors Online Registration will be ready by
Oct. 15. Middle Level Honors will be ready by Dec. 15.
Please adhere carefully to deadlines. Online registrations will
close at 11 p.m. Wisconsin time on their respective due dates.
Equal Opportunity
All students are given equal opportunity for Honors membership.
During the audition scheduling process, each student is assigned
an audition number. Students are identified to the judge and the
Honors Selection Committee only by their audition number. No last
names or schools are given to the audition judge or Honors Selection
Committee. In addition, there is absolutely no geographic, gender,
race, age or quota system of any kind used in the Wisconsin State
Honors Music Project.
Honors Selection Process
In an effort to provide consistent evaluations at every audition
location, each Honors audition judge receives the same written and
verbal instructions. At the conclusion of the audition, the judge
makes a recommendation for each student based solely on the audition
performance. The following evaluation descriptors are found on every
Honors audition evaluation form:
Highly Recommended - A potential Honors section leader, and an outstanding musician. One of the best!
Recommended - Student would complement the Honors Project.
High Alternate - Student could participate this year, if needed.
Alternate - Student could participate, but has some weaknesses to overcome.
Not Ready - Student is not ready for Honors.
The Honors Selection Committee reviews all audition forms and written comments without knowing any student's name or school. The audition number is the only way of identifying each student to the Honors Selection Committee.
Equal Musical Leadership
Woodwind, brass and percussion players are invited to Honors Band
or Honors Orchestra to ensure equal musical
leadership in both ensembles. High school sopranos and altos are
invited to Honors Treble Choir and Honors Mixed Choir to ensure
equal musical leadership in both ensembles.
Results Notification Letters
High school Honors students will be notified of the results of their
audition by April 1. Middle Level Honors students will be notified
of their audition results by June 1. Copies of the audition forms
are not given to students or teachers.
Unlike a WSMA Solo-Ensemble Festival performance, Honors auditions
are usually very competitive.
What is a Prioritized Alternate?
Students who receive a "Prioritized Alternate" letter
are the first to be called should an invited student decline the
invitation for membership. The number indicates the sequence of
students to be called. For example, if a student is the #3 alternate,
three people from that section will need to decline membership before
this student is invited to Honors. Students who receive an "Alternate"
letter indicating they may be chosen for Honors membership this
year, but they will only be called after there are no more students
on the prioritized list. All Prioritized Alternate and non-numbered
Alternates are strongly encouraged to practice and audition next
year.
Does every student who auditions
and is not selected receive an "Alternate" letter?
No. Students who received a "not ready" endorsement from
their audition judge receive a letter thanking them for their efforts
in preparing for their audition. All students are strongly encouraged
to continue practicing their musical skills.
High School State Honors Camp
All High School State Honors students selected for membership attend
a 3 1/2 day Summer Camp in June at the University of Wisconsin -
Green Bay. The formal concert performances take place in Madison
during the October Wisconsin State Music Conference.
Honors Staff Applications
Wisconsin music teachers are invited to the Honors Staff based on
their outstanding musical and leadership skills. Teachers volunteer
their time and talents as section coaches, and also serve as chaperones.
Best of all, Honors staff members work with the most talented students
in the state, observe and interact with one of the nation's finest
conductors for an extended period of time, and participate in one
of the most rewarding professional growth opportunities available.
If you are interested in serving as an Honors staff member, complete this Honors Staff Application. All Honors Staff applications are
kept in a permanently active file.