Wisconsin School Music Association

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Festival Rules

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2019-2020 Festival Rule Changes

Full 2019-2020 Festival Rules

I. WSMA Festivals Purpose/Overview
I. WSMA Purpose/Overview

A. The purpose of all WSMA Festivals is to:

    1. Improve students’ music performance through assessment.
    2. Increase students’ understanding of music literature and music concepts.
    3. Motivate students to continue the study of music.
    4. Establish standards of excellence in music performance.
    5. Provide opportunities for students to understand the relationship of music experiences to other life experiences.

B. Code of Conduct: A student musician must follow their school’s code of conduct on a year-round basis at all WSMA sanctioned events. Member school leadership, in consultation with the WSMA executive director, will determine consequences for violation of any of the provisions of its code of conduct, including any offenses for any unacceptable conduct contrary to the ideals, principles, and standards of the school and this Association.

C. During a festival, students, parents and/or staff shall not be approached on school premises by teachers or others to subscribe or contribute to the funds of, to become members of, to work for, or participate in any organization or event.

II. WSMA Events, Classes and Ratings
II. WSMA Events, Classes and Ratings
    1. Concert Festival Events
    2. Solo & Ensemble Events
    3. Classes Defined
    4. Ratings

A. Concert Festival Events: WSMA Concert Festival events include four levels of classes – A, B, C and M.

  1. Concert band
  2. Orchestra (full, chamber, string)
  3. Choir (mixed, soprano-alto, tenor-bass, middle school)

B. Solo & Ensemble Events: WSMA Solo & Ensemble events include three levels of classes – A, B and C.

  1. Solo events (vocal, string, woodwind, brass, percussion, piano, guitar, handbell)
  2. Regular Ensemble events (vocal, string, woodwind, brass, percussion, piano, guitar, handbell)
  3. Special Ensemble events (misc. ensemble, jazz ensemble, jazz combo, madrigal, vocal jazz, show choir, ethnic heritage ensemble, electronic ensemble, string choir/ensemble, woodwind choir/ensemble, brass choir/ensemble, percussion ensemble, guitar ensemble, handbell choir)

C. Classes Defined: Classes are based on approximate years of experience on a musical instrument/voice.

  1. Class M = Middle School (Up to and including 9th grade students. This class only applies to concert group events.)
  2. Class C = one or two years of musical experience
  3. Class B = three or four years of musical experience
  4. Class A = advanced high school musical experience

Comment: The determination of events selected and class level chosen is at the discretion of the member school teacher utilizing the guidelines as stated above. It is strongly recommended that students in grade 6 begin the Solo & Ensemble experience in Class C.


D. Ratings

  1. All Solo & Ensemble and Concert Festival events are adjudicated. The adjudicators provide both written and verbal feedback as well as ratings. The overall rating indicates:
    *I    An exceptional performance in all areas. (This rating only applies to Class A Solo & Ensemble Events.)
    I      A consistently outstanding performance in all areas.
    II    A very good performance with only minor issues.
    III   A performance demonstrating accomplishment but weak in several qualities.
    IV   A performance containing numerous weaknesses within the performance.
    V    A performance indicating a need for continued efforts in fundamentals. (This rating only applies to District Solo & Ensemble Festivals.)
  2. Teachers may choose to register any festival event as Comment Only (CO). If CO is indicated, the adjudicator will provide written and verbal feedback, but no rating will be indicated. The overall rating will be reported as CO.
  3. Ratings are posted on site at every festival. Some district festivals also post ratings online. All WSMA State Solo & Ensemble ratings are posted online following the completion of the festival.

Comment: Each adjudicator is allowed to select a limited number of Exemplary Soloists from the WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival. Selected students receive a certificate of recognition from WSMA. A limited number of these students are invited to perform at the Wisconsin State Music Conference in October.

III. Eligibility Requirements
III. Eligibility Requirements
    1. WSMA Member Participation
    2. Non-WSMA Member Student Participation

A. WSMA Member Participation

To participate in a WSMA Music Festival, the school must be a current member of WSMA (membership runs from July 1-June 30). In addition, students must meet the following requirements:

  1. Be in grades 6 through 12
    Comment: Concert groups that have 5th grade students regularly participating with 6th grade (or older) students may also include 5th grade in a Concert Group Festival or Concert Group Clinic Experience.
  2. Be enrolled and regularly attend concert group rehearsals (band, choir, orchestra) at their WSMA member school. A written waiver may be submitted to WSMA if one of the following conditions exist:
    1. There is a schedule conflict with an academic class required for graduation.
    2. The school does not offer an appropriate group in which the student may participate. In this case, and at the discretion of the school teachers/administrators, a student may be eligible to participate in a WSMA festival by completing one or more of the following:
      1. Enroll in and complete an independent music class.
      2. Participate in a school music ensemble that rehearses regularly throughout the school year.
      3. Serve as a coach (tutor/peer coach) for other music students.
  3. At the discretion of the member school, piano students who are not members of a school concert group may participate in a WSMA Solo & Ensemble Festival.
    Comment: WSMA recommends that the piano student be enrolled in a school performing ensemble or asked to accompany at least one solo or ensemble event.

 B. Non-WSMA Member Student Participation Requirements

Students that are home-schooled or attend a non-WSMA member school may participate in WSMA Solo & Ensemble Festivals (District and State) with the following conditions:

  1. Payment of an annual enrollment fee to WSMA.
  2. Payment to WSMA of Solo & Ensemble registration fees as outlined in the Schedule of Dues and Fees found on the WSMA website.
  3. An ensemble can only be formed with other students that either attend a WSMA member school or are registered as non-WSMA member participants.
    Comment: Parents of non-member students should contact WSMA for additional information.

IV. WSMA Concert Festival Rules
IV. WSMA Concert Festival Rules
    1. Festival Requirements
    2. Festival Performance Requirements
    3. Clinic Experience Requirements
    4. Clinic Experience Performance Requirements


IV. WSMA Concert Festival Rules

  1. WSMA Music Festival Rules and information govern all WSMA sanctioned festivals and are intended for use by member schools. WSMA allows individual schools to adopt additional policies and expectations as an extension of the rules and information stated below.
  2. Additional event-specific rules and requirements are listed in the event headers found in the WSMA Festival Music List.
  3. Any violation of a WSMA festival rule on the day of the festival will result in the performance receiving a critique only (no rating).
    1. No event will be prevented from performing for violation of a WSMA festival rule.
    2. A second performance is not allowed under any circumstances.
  4. If there is a discrepancy between the printed WSMA Festival Music List and the online version, the online version takes precedence.

A. Festival Requirements – Concert 

  1. At least three member schools are required to form a WSMA Concert Festival.
  2. Participating schools establish Concert Festival dates. All concert festival dates must be submitted to WSMA by October 1 of the current school year. WSMA Concert Festivals may not be held on the following dates:
    1. State Marching Band Championships (Saturday)
    2. Wisconsin State Music Conference (Wednesday – Saturday)
    3. Friday or Saturday of WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival weekends
    4. Additional dates as determined by WSMA
  3. Concert festivals will be assigned three WSMA adjudicators or two WSMA adjudicators and a clinician of the festival manager’s choice.
    Comment: Non-WSMA clinicians should use a Comment-Only rubric (available in MyCenter>Concert Festival) or another form to record comments.  
  4. A subsidy amount based on registration fees as approved by the WSMA board is sent to the festival manager after WSMA has received all payments from participating schools in the concert festival.
    Comment: WSMA assigns all adjudicators, collects fees, implements rules, provides a subsidy and offers awards to purchase for concert group festivals.
  5. Registration procedures for WSMA Concert Festivals include the following:
    1. All events must be registered online via MyCenter at least four weeks prior to the Concert Festival.
    2. Concert festival managers have the option to deny late entries. If a late entry is permitted, an additional cost per entry applies.
    3. No refunds will be made for the withdrawal of any entry within four weeks of the festival.
  6. Sight-reading is not required; however, directors may request a sight-reading experience as part of the concert group festival.
    Comment: The festival manager must provide a sight-reading experience if time and space are available. Concert groups requesting to sight-read must submit an additional fee as outlined by the Dues and Fees Schedule (available at wsmamusic.org/fees/ ).
  7. All WSMA Concert Festival events are open to the public. It is not appropriate to clear any room prior to or during a performance, except for the optional sight-reading portion.
  8. The recording of the adjudicators’ critique or clinic is not permitted under any circumstance. The recording of the student performance is at the discretion of the parent and/or teacher but must be in accordance with federal copyright laws.


B. Festival Performance Requirements – Concert 

  1. Each concert group must perform one selection from the current WSMA Festival Music List.
    1. Each concert group must perform two additional selections, for a total of three. If the combined performance time equals or exceeds the minimum times listed below, a concert group may perform only two selections.
      Ensemble TypeClass B, C, MClass A
      Instrumental10 minutes15 minutes
      Choral8 minutes10 minutes
    2. Concert groups that perform one multi-movement selection from the current WSMA Festival Music List that meets the minimum time requirement should perform another short selection.
    3. Teachers may adapt music to accommodate students identified with special needs (i.e. 504 or IEP). All adapted music and requested accommodations must be submitted to WSMA using the Permissions Request Form.
  2. Pre-recorded, taped, or sequenced accompaniments are not permitted for concert festivals. Students or adults may perform published accompanist parts for choral groups as allowed, reference event header.
  3. The adjudicator(s) must be provided with a complete score of all music to be performed. The required selection must be the matching, correct edition.
    1. All choral scores must be original or legal electronically printed music.
    2. Instrumental scores may be photocopies for the adjudicator(s).
      Comments:

      • Music saved to an electronic device (such as an iPad) is not permissible for the adjudicator.
      • Label all scores with school name, class entered, and director’s name. The numbering of measures is highly recommended, but not required.
      • A brief pause between numbers is allowed and is at the discretion of the director.
      • Teachers and students should follow federal copyright laws in providing music for all performers.
      • Legally purchased e-print music should have “This music was purchased by (name) through (music publisher/website) or similar printed on the top of each page or on a separate cover page.  If no statement or cover page is provided by the publisher, attached proof of purchase.
  4. A student member of the ensemble is expected to introduce the performance, including school name, title of selection (and movements if appropriate), composer and a significant aspect of the selection (style, form, harmony, melody, rhythm or technique).
    Comment: The introduction does not need to be memorized nor is it part of the overall rating.  Tips and resources for writing an introduction can be found online via MyCenter.
  5. Students are required to listen to a minimum of one other performing group and to evaluate the performance.
    Comment: WSMA has student listening forms available online via MyCenter or the director can use any listening form of his/her choosing. These forms are retained by the teacher and are not given to the performing group or sent to WSMA.
  6. Two or more schools may submit a request to WSMA to form a co-op concert group providing all participating students attend WSMA member schools.
    Comment: The co-op concert group request form is found online via MyCenter.


C. Clinic Experience Requirements – Concert

  1. ­­Registration, including proof of participation, must be submitted to WSMA following the clinic experience, but no later than June 15.  Proof of participation options include, but are not limited to:
    1. Completed ‘Concert Comment-Only rubric’
    2. Signed evaluation by clinician
    3. Recorded audio or video performance with clinician commentary
  2. All clinician arrangements and expenses associated with the clinic experience are the responsibility of the participating school(s).
    Comment: Directors are encouraged to contact WSMA if clinician suggestions are needed.
  3. No ratings are given or implied and no concert plaques are awarded. If using a WSMA rubric for the evaluation and proof of participation, the Concert Comment-Only rubric must be used.
  4. A minimum of 20 minutes of clinic time (not including performance time) must be provided for each performing group.

D. Clinic Experience Performance Requirements – Concert

  1. There is no minimum performance requirement for a WSMA Clinic Experience. It is suggested that groups follow the WSMA Concert Festival minimum performance requirements.
    Comment: Each group is strongly encouraged to perform at least one selection from the current WSMA Concert Festival Music List (Events 1000, 1010, 1020, 1030, 2000, 2010, 2020 or 3000).
  2. Students or adults may perform published accompanist parts for choral groups.
  3. Students are required to listen to a minimum of one performing group and to evaluate the performance.
    Comment: This could be a recording if a live listening opportunity isn’t available. WSMA has student listening forms available online via MyCenter or the director can use any listening form of his/her choosing. These forms are retained by the teacher and are not given to the performing group or sent to WSMA.
  4. Two or more schools may submit a request to WSMA to form a co-op concert group providing all participating students attend WSMA member schools.
    Comment: The co-op concert group request form is found online via MyCenter.
V. WSMA Solo & Ensemble Festival Rules
V. WSMA Solo & Ensemble Festival Rules
    1. District Festival Requirements
    2. District Solo Performance Requirements
    3. District Ensemble Performance Requirements
    4. State Festival Requirements
    5. State Performance Requirements
    6. Accompanist Requirements


V. WSMA Solo & Ensemble Festival Rules

  1. WSMA Music Festival Rules and information govern all WSMA sanctioned festivals and are intended for use by member schools. WSMA allows individual schools to adopt additional policies and expectations as an extension of the rules and information stated below.
  2. Additional event-specific rules and requirements are listed in the event headers found in the WSMA Festival Music List.
  3. Any violation of a WSMA festival rule on the day of the festival will result in the performance receiving a critique only (no rating). No event will be prevented from performing for violation of a WSMA festival rule. A second performance is not allowed under any circumstances.
  4. If there is a discrepancy between the printed WSMA Festival Music List and the online version, the online version takes precedence.

A. District Festival Requirements

  1. At least three WSMA member schools are required to form a WSMA District Solo & Ensemble Festival.
  2. Schools may request to change the assigned district festival site prior to September 15 of the current school year. Schools must receive approval from:
    1. WSMA
    2. The school principal
    3. The district festival manager of the currently assigned site
    4. The district festival manager of the requested site
  3. Participating schools establish district festival dates and formats. All district festival dates must be submitted to WSMA by October 1 of the current school year. In addition:
    1. All WSMA District Solo & Ensemble Festivals with Class A entries must take place at least three weeks prior to the assigned WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival(s) for the participating schools.
    2. District Solo & Ensemble Festivals may not be held on the following dates:
      1. State Marching Band Championships (Saturday)
      2. Wisconsin State Music Conference (Wednesday – Saturday)
      3. Additional dates as determined by WSMA
  4. A subsidy amount based on registration fees as approved by the WSMA board is sent to the festival manager after WSMA has received all payments from participating schools in a District Solo & Ensemble Festival.
    Comment: WSMA assigns all adjudicators, collects fees, implements rules, provides a subsidy and offers awards to purchase for district festivals. Supplementary income to support festival expenses may be generated by adding a surcharge to individual or class fees, offering concessions, etc. All supplementary income is at the discretion of the district.
  5. Registration procedures for WSMA District Solo & Ensemble Festivals include the following:
    1. All WSMA District Solo & Ensemble events must be registered online via MyCenter at least four weeks prior to the district festival.
    2. District festival managers have the option to deny late entries. If a late entry is permitted, an additional cost per entry applies.
    3. No refunds will be made for the withdrawal of any entry within four weeks of a district festival.
    4. To transfer students to an alternate district festival, permission must be granted from the festival manager at the alternate festival site. Initial registration fees are not transferrable and must be resubmitted if the transfer request occurs after the registration deadline for the original festival or if the original festival is completed.
      Comment: All student transfers are completed online via MyCenter.
  6. All WSMA Solo & Ensemble events are open to the public. It is not appropriate to clear any room prior to or during a performance.
  7. The recording of the adjudicator’s critique or clinic is not permitted under any circumstance. The recording of the student performance is at the discretion of the parent and/or teacher but must be in accordance with federal copyright laws.


B. District Solo Performance Requirements

  1. Each soloist must perform one selection chosen from the current WSMA Music Festival List.
    1. Perform two contrasting movements on all multi-movement selections unless other instructions are specified.
    2. If the length of the music exceeds 3/4 of the allotted performance time, the music may be cut to stay within the time limits.
      Comment: If cuts are necessary, it is suggested that repeats and repetitive sections be cut first. Music performed should include excerpts from movements (or sections) that display contrasting styles. Clearly mark all cuts in the music provided to the adjudicator.
    3. Teachers may adapt music to accommodate students identified with special needs (i.e. 504 or IEP). All adapted music and requested accommodations must be submitted to WSMA using the Permissions Request Form.
  2. A student may enter a maximum of ten (10) Solo & Ensemble events per District Festival, but can only enter once in the same solo event. In addition:
    1. A student may enter up to three vocal solos:
      1. One from Events 1111, 1121, 1211, 1221, or 1231
      2. One from Events 1311, 1321 or 1331
      3. One from event 6211
    2. A student is required to perform a class A solo from Events 1111, 1121, 1211, 1221, or 1231 in a WSMA District Music Festival to enter and perform in music theater events 1311, 1321 or 1331.
  3. The adjudicator must be provided with a publisher printed original of the matching, correct edition of the music. The use of legal electronically printed music is also permissible.
    Comments:

    • Label all scores with school name, class entered and the soloist’s name.
    • The numbering of measures is highly recommended, but not required.
    • Music saved to an electronic device (Such as an iPad) is not permissible for the adjudicator.
    • Teachers and students should follow federal copyright laws in providing music for all performers.
    • Public domain music (i.e. IMSLP) must be submitted through permissions as an alternate edition.
    • Legally purchased e-print music should have “This music was purchased by (name) through (music publishers/website) or similar printed on the top of each page or on a separate cover page.  If no statement or cover page is provided by the publisher, attach a proof of purchase.
    • POP music requires original, legally purchased music.
  4. Each soloist is expected to introduce the performance including the following information:
    1. Performer and accompanist names, school name, title of selection (and movements if appropriate), composer and a significant aspect of the selection (style, form, harmony, melody, rhythm or technique).
    2. The introduction for music theater events 1311, 1321 and 1331 should include: performer and accompanist names, school name, title and composer of the selection. Instead of describing a significant aspect of the piece, students should establish the scene and given circumstances by describing the character signing and purpose of the song. Students may do this in character or as a narrative.
      Comments:

      • The introduction does not need to be memorized nor is it part of the overall rating.  Tips and resources for writing an introduction can be found online via MyCenter.
      • Music theater introductions may be done in character or as a narrative.
  5. Memorization is required for music theater events 1311, 1321 and 1331. It is optional for all other events.
  6. Accompaniment is required for music theater events 1311, 1321 and 1331. It is strongly encouraged (but not required) for all other solos.
    Comment: Taped, pre-recorded, or sequenced accompaniments are permitted in all solo events including music theater. Alternative accompaniment instruments (i.e. guitar, harp, SmartMusic, etc.) may be substituted for piano.
  7. Students must perform different music at successive WSMA District Festivals.


C. District Ensemble Performance Requirements

  1. Each Regular Ensemble must perform one selection from the current WSMA Festival Music List.
    1. Perform two contrasting movements on all multi-movement selections unless other instructions are specified.
    2. If the length of the music exceeds 3/4 of the allotted performance time, the music may be cut to stay within the time limits.
      Comment: If cuts are necessary, it is suggested that repeats and repetitive sections be cut first. Music performed should include excerpts from movements (or sections) that display contracting styles. Clearly mark all cuts in the music presented to the adjudicator.
    3. Teachers may adapt music to accommodate students identified with special needs (i.e. 504 or IEP). All adapted music and requested accommodations must be submitted to WSMA using the Permissions Request Form.
  2. A student may enter a maximum of ten (10) Solo & Ensemble events per district festival. Students may enter the same Regular or Special Ensemble event more than once as long as the selection and ensemble members differ for each entry.
  3. Students performing together in a Regular or Special Ensemble may be from multiple schools. In order to register this event, a co-op ensemble form must be submitted to WSMA. In order for an ensemble to qualify for a co-op:
    1. All participating students must attend WSMA member schools or belong to a family enrolled in WSMA.
    2. The member school teachers of all participating students must approve the formation of the ensemble.
      Comment: The co-op special ensemble request form is found online via MyCenter.
  4. The adjudicator must be provided with a publisher printed original of the matching, correct edition of the music. The use of legal electronically printed music is also permissible.
    Comments:

    • Label all scores with school name and class entered.
    • The numbering of measures is highly recommended, but not required.
    • Music saved to an electronic device (Such as an iPad) is not permissible for the adjudicator.
    • Teachers and students should follow federal copyright laws in providing music for all performers.
    • Public domain music (i.e. IMSLP) must be submitted through permissions as an alternate edition.
    • Legally purchased e-print music should have “This music was purchased by (name) through (music publishers/website) or similar printed on the top of each page or on a separate cover page.  If no statement or cover page is provided by the publisher, attach a proof of purchase.
    • POP music requires original, legally purchased music.
  5. A student member of the ensemble is expected to introduce the performance, including school name, title of selection (and movements if appropriate), composer and a significant aspect of the selection (style, form, harmony, melody, rhythm or technique).
    Comment: The introduction does not need to be memorized nor is it part of the overall rating.  Tips and resources for writing an introduction can be found online via MyCenter.
  6. An ensemble whose membership remains substantially the same in the next year must perform a different selection than was performed at the prior district festival.
  7. Accompaniment (when applicable) is strongly encouraged but not required.
    Comment: Taped, pre-recorded, or sequenced accompaniments are permitted for Regular Ensembles but are not permitted for Special Ensembles unless indicated in the WSMA Festival Music List Event Header. Alternative accompaniment instruments (i.e. guitar, harp, SmartMusic, etc.) may be substituted for piano in Regular Ensembles.
  8. These instrumental Special Ensembles are required to set-up and perform one piece within 12 minutes:
    • 2119 Violin Choir
    • 2219 Viola Choir
    • 2319 Cello Choir
    • 2419 String Bass Choir
    • 2859 String Choir
    • 2959 Misc. String Ensemble
    • 3839 Flute Choir
    • 3849 Clarinet Choir
    • 3859 Saxophone Choir
    • 3869 Recorder Ensemble
    • 3878 Woodwind Ensemble
    • 4858 Brass Ensemble
    • 4859 Brass Choir (Like Instruments)
    • 4868 Brass and Percussion Ensemble
    • 5839 Keyboard Mallet Ensemble
    • 5859 Steel Drum Band
    • 5918 Misc. Percussion Ensemble
    • 8119 Handbell Choir
    • 8218 Guitar Ensemble
    • 9119 Misc. Special Ensemble
    • *9218 Mostly Winds Folk, Ethnic, Heritage Ensemble
    • *9228 Mostly Perc. Folk, Ethnic, Heritage Ensemble
    • *9238 Mostly String Folk, Ethnic, Heritage Ensemble
    • *9248 Mostly Vocal Folk, Ethnic, Heritage Ensemble

    *These events must perform for a minimum of 5 minutes or another selection must be added.

  9. These vocal Special Ensembles are required to set-up and perform one piece within 10 minutes:
    • 1519 SSA/A Madrigal Ensemble
    • 1529 Madrigal Ensemble
    • 1918 Misc. Vocal Ensemble
  10. These Special Ensembles are required to set-up and perform two contrasting style or tempo pieces within 20 minutes:
    • 6118 SSA Show Choir
    • 6119 SSA Show Choir Open Class
    • 6128 TTBB, TTB Show Choir
    • 6138 Mixed Show Choir
    • 6139 Mixed Show Choir Open Class
    • 6228 SSA Vocal Jazz Ensemble
    • 6229 SSA Vocal Jazz Ensemble Open Class
    • 6238 Mixed Vocal Jazz Ensemble
    • 6239 Mixed Vocal Jazz Ensemble Open Class
    • 6258 SSAA Contemporary A Cappella
    • 6268 TTBB Contemporary A Cappella
    • 6278 Mixed Contemporary A Cappella
    • 6329 Alternative String Ensemble
    • 6458 Jazz Ensemble
    • 6459 Jazz Ensemble Open Class
    • 6468 Jazz Combo
    • 6478 Creative Jazz Combo

D. State Festival Requirements

  1. Schools are assigned to a WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival site by WSMA.
    Comment: WSMA schedules all state festival events and assigns all adjudicators. Schedules are posted on the WSMA website.

    1. State Solo & Ensemble Festivals are held the last Saturday of April and the first Saturday of May annually.
    2. Each school’s assigned state site is listed on the WSMA website.
    3. Directors assigned to any state site may request that jazz ensembles, jazz combos, show choirs, vocal jazz ensembles or jazz improvisation solos perform at a Friday night State Festival.
    4. Requests to transfer all of a school’s state festival entries to another state festival site must be submitted to WSMA by November 15 of the current school year.
      1. WSMA retains the sole discretion to grant transfer requests, and may limit transfer locations based on space available at a given state festival site.
      2. Generally, requests will not be granted for schools that schedule another music event or tour on the same day as the assigned state festival.
      3. State festival transfer requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
      4. Any approved State Festival Transfer Request received by WSMA after November 15 will be assessed an additional fee per entry.
  2. Registration guidelines for WSMA State Festivals include the following:
    1. All State Solo & Ensemble events must be registered online via MyCenter at least 15 business days prior to the assigned State Solo & Ensemble Festival.
    2. WSMA has the option to deny late entries. If the late entry is permitted, an additional fee per entry will be assessed. The late fee may be waived by WSMA if extenuating circumstances exist.
    3. No refunds will be made for the withdrawal of any entry within 15 business days of the State Festival.
    4. Student transfer requests for the WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival must be submitted online via MyCenter. Requests approved after November 15 of the current school year will be assessed an additional fee per entry. Transfer requests will be honored on a case-by-case basis.
    5. Time requests for the WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival must be submitted online via MyCenter. Time requests will be honored on a case-by-case basis.
  3. All WSMA State Solo & Ensemble events are open to the public. It is not appropriate to clear any room prior to or during a performance.
  4. The recording of the adjudicator’s critique or clinic is not permitted under any circumstance. The recording of the student performance is at the discretion of the parent and/or teacher but must be in accordance with federal copyright laws.


E. State Performance Requirements

In addition to all District Solo & Ensemble performance requirements, the following rules apply to State Solo & Ensemble Festivals:

  1. To participate in a WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival, students must receive a starred (*) I rating in a Class A event at a sanctioned WSMA District Solo & Ensemble Festival in the same school year as the state festival.
  2. Individual students who qualify for state festival may enter a maximum of 10 (ten) total events per state festival date. Students qualifying in greater than ten events may transfer solo events to alternate state festival dates.
  3. Students who qualify for the WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival must perform the same selection as was performed at the district festival with the following exceptions:
    1. Soloists may perform a different solo provided it is from the current WSMA Festival Music List (Class A) for the same event. No permission from WSMA is required.
    2. Jazz ensembles, vocal jazz ensembles, show choirs, contemporary a cappella and alternative string ensembles may perform a different selected number. The new selection must still fulfill the style requirement (or jazz ensemble swing tune requirement) as outlined in the WSMA Festival Music List Event Header.Comment: If selections/music performed at district required permission approval, the same permission approval letter is required for State Festival performance.
  4. Regular Ensemble members must be the same for both district and state festivals. Special Ensembles may perform at State Solo & Ensemble Festival for a rating even if all members are not present. In either case, substitutions are not allowed.


 F. Accompanist Requirements

  1. The allowed number of events per accompanist at a district festival is at the discretion of the festival manager.
    1. The festival manager may choose to limit the number of events (or minutes) per accompanist to facilitate scheduling.
    2. The festival manager will contact schools/accompanists on a case-by-case basis if scheduling issues arise.
  2. The allowed number of events per accompanist at a state festival is at the discretion of WSMA. It is recommended that an accompanist not exceed twenty (20) accompaniments in a single State Festival weekend.
    1. WSMA will contact schools/accompanists on a case-by-case basis if scheduling issues arise.
VI. Permissions, Alternate Editions, Event Transfers, Original Compositions
VI. Permissions, Alternate Editions, Transfers, Original Compositions
    1. Permissions
    2. Alternate Editions
    3. Transfers
    4. Original Compositions


The WSMA Festival Music List Event Header indicates whether permission and/or transfer are allowed for each event.  Permission forms can be found at wsmamusic.org/permissions.

A. Permissions

In events indicating that permission is allowed, teachers must submit a Permission Request in order to perform music not included on the current WSMA Festival Music List.

  1. All permission requests are submitted online.
  2. Permission requests must be received no later than six (6) weeks prior to the festival.
  3. A permission approval letter will be sent to the teacher to attach to the adjudicator’s copy of the music. The letter must be attached for the performer to receive a rating.


B. Alternate Editions

It is possible to submit a request to perform a different, comparable edition of any selection on the current WSMA Festival Music List (even those events marked No Permission).

  1. All alternate edition requests are submitted online.
  2. Alternate edition requests must be received no later than six (6) weeks prior to the festival.
  3. An alternate edition approval letter will be sent to the teacher to attach to the adjudicator’s copy of the music. The letter must be attached for the performer to receive a rating.


C. Event Transfers

Music from the current WSMA Festival Music List may be used in events designated as Transfer Allowed. It is not necessary to send transferred titles to WSMA for permission. Event transfers are completed online during the event registration.
Exception:  Music from any of the 6000 events may not be transferred to other event numbers.

D. Original Compositions

All original compositions must be submitted to WSMA for permission.

  1. Original compositions written by currently enrolled students that meet eligibility requirements (see section III) may be submitted for permission in all WSMA festival events, including those designated as No Permission or Transfer.
  2. All other original compositions or arrangements may only be submitted for permission in events designated as Permission Allowed.

 

New Edition Available Now!

January 2020
“Living in Harmony: Personal & Professional Balance”

Balance and harmony are part of everyday teaching in the music classroom. However, all that instructional dedication at school can leave music educators feeling out of sync elsewhere. This issue presents ways to strike the ideal balance between personal and professional life as a music educator.

Click here for full January 2020 online edition…

 

YOUNG PERFORMERS INITIATIVE – WSMA & WPT Partnership

Special Web Resources
 
Have you checked out the quality videos and standards-based activities made especially for Wisconsin music classrooms?  Visit WisconsinPerforms.org…

Thank you to…

Contact Us

Wisconsin School Music Association 1005 Quinn Drive
Waunakee, WI 53597
608.850.3566
800.589.9762

Business Hours:
M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm


WSMA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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