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District Solo & Ensemble Festival FAQ’s

For Parents | For Teachers

 


 

Students & Parents

What is a WSMA Festival?
There are two types of festivals sponsored by WSMA: Solo & Ensemble Festivals and Concert Group Festivals/Experiences. This information sheet will focus primarily on Solo & Ensemble Festivals.

Solo & Ensemble Festivals
Students choose a selection from the WSMA Festival Music List to study and perform before an adjudicator. The adjudicator provides a written and verbal critique of the performance and awards a rating based on defined criteria.

  • District Solo & Ensemble Festival – For students in grades 6-12. District festivals are held at local schools and scheduled by the district festival manager.
  • State Solo & Ensemble Festival – For students that receive a “starred first” rating (1*) at the Class A level at a district festival. State festivals are held the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May at a total of 10 University/College campuses.

WSMA sponsors approximately 240 solo & ensemble and concert festivals in Wisconsin each year.

What is the purpose of WSMA festivals?
The purpose of all WSMA Festivals is to:
A. Improve students’ music performance through assessment.
B. Increase students’ understanding of music literature and music concepts.
C. Motivate students to continue their study of music.
D. Establish standards of excellence in music performance.
E. Provide opportunities for students to understand the relationship of music experiences to other life experiences.
Who is eligible to participate at a WSMA Solo & Ensemble Festival?
Students in grades 6-12 who attend a WSMA Member School and are enrolled in a concert group (Band, Choir, Orchestra.) At the discretion of the member school, piano students who are not members of a regularly scheduled school music performing ensemble may participate in a WSMA District Solo & Ensemble Festival. It is recommended that the student be asked to accompany at least one solo or ensemble event.

Students who are home-schooled or attend a non-WSMA member school may participate as outlined here.

How do I register my child for Solo & Ensemble Festival?
All registrations are done through the student’s school music program. Information regarding scheduling times and appropriate materials should be received from the school music teacher or the head of the school’s music department. The school must be a member of WSMA.

Students who are home-schooled or attend a non-WSMA member school may participate as outlined here.

Can I register my child directly or through my child’s private music teacher or studio?
No. Registration is done only through the member-school music program.
Is this festival a competition?
WSMA festivals are evaluations, not competitions. The focus is intended to be on the educational process and development of skills. Performances will be evaluated against a standard, not against other performances.
What music can be played?
Music must be selected from the current WSMA Festival Music List. The list is updated on a four-year rotation and published in early September each year. Clarifications and corrections are posted on the WSMA website throughout the year.
Where can I see the Festival Music List?
The WSMA Festival Music List is available to teachers at WSMA member schools as a member benefit. Students and parents should work with their music teacher to view and select appropriate music from the festival music list.
Do I need a copy of the music for the adjudicator?
The adjudicator must be provided with a legal original of the music to be performed. Label all scores with school name, class entered, and the soloist’s name. Number all measures to facilitate judging procedures. Clearly mark all cuts in the original music presented to the adjudicator.
Can the adjudicator copy be a photocopy?
For a photocopy to be considered legal you must have permission from the owner/publisher of the music to make the copy. The letter granting permission to copy must be attached to the photocopy if being used by the adjudicator. Teachers and students should follow federal copyright laws in providing music for all performers.
Can I play music that I composed myself?
It is possible to play an original student composition in any event at Solo & Ensemble Festival. Your school music teacher must submit a permission form along with a copy of the music to the WSMA office. If the music is found to be appropriate for the class and event, permission will be granted.
Do I need an accompanist?

Solos:

  • Music Theater Solos (events that begin with “13**”) – Accompaniment is required.
  • All Other Solos – Accompaniment is strongly encouraged but not required.
  • 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 accompaniment in solos.

Ensembles:

  • Regular Ensembles – Accompaniment (when applicable) is strongly encouraged but not required.
    • Taped, pre-recorded, or sequenced accompaniments are permitted for Regular Ensembles when accompaniment part is provided.
    • Alternative accompaniment instruments (i.e. guitar, harp, SmartMusic, etc.) may be substituted for piano accompaniment in Regular Ensembles.
  • Special Ensembles – Accompaniment (when applicable) is strongly encouraged but not required.
    • Taped, pre-recorded, or sequenced accompaniments 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 not be substituted for piano accompaniment in Special Ensembles.
Must I bring my own percussion instruments (drum set, marimba, etc.)?
Some festival locations will provide percussion equipment, while others do not. Your school music teacher can check with the festival manager to find out if any percussion equipment will be available for your use. It is our recommendation, however, that you bring your own instrument to perform on. Most students perform better on a familiar instrument. Percussionists are expected to bring their own sticks/mallets.
Do I need to introduce my piece?
The soloist or a member of the ensemble is expected to introduce their performance to the adjudicator and audience at both District and State Festivals. Students should include the performer and accompanist names, name of school, title and composer of ensemble (and, if appropriate, the movements being performed), and briefly describe a significant aspect of style, form, technique, harmony, rhythm or melody in the piece.
Who are the adjudicators?
WSMA adjudicators are professional teachers/musicians who have received training on the WSMA adjudication process.


 

Teachers

Is it permissible to double voice parts in vocal duets and barbershop quartets?
Barbershop Quartet (Events 1414 or 1424 depending on voicing) – In class C only, a double quartet may be used (2 voices per part, totaling 8 singers.)
Vocal Duets – Duet events 1182, 1282, 1882 allow for only two singers in all classes, however event 1912 (a class C only event) allows for 3-6 singers in any combination, performing two part music. The music may be transferred from any of the vocal duet lists.
How do I register a triple trio?
A triple trio is registered as event number 1918. Under the rules of 1918, you can perform a trio with 5-20 singers in any combination.
Can I find the WSMA Festival Music on-line?
The complete WSMA Festival Music List is found exclusively in the Account Portal for WSMA member schools. A user name and password are required for access to this resource. Please contact WSMA if you require assistance.

Non-members, including Private Music Studios, Non-Member Schools, Music Stores, and Music Education Associations, may now purchase all or part of the music list. Visit the Non-Member Subscription Services page for more details. 

How do I get permission to perform a piece that is not on the Festival Music List?
Use of music not on the approved or pre-approved permission WSMA Music List must have a Permission Form attached.

In order to submit a permission request for an event, the event must have permission allowed. (This is indicated in the event header in the Festival Music List.)

Do I have to perform something from the WSMA Music List?
That depends. If the event number indicates “No Permission, No Transfer”, then yes. If permission is allowed, you may request permission to perform something that is not on the list. If a transfer is allowed, you may transfer a piece of music that is somewhere else on the WSMA music list.
Do I need to make a special request to transfer a piece on the WSMA Music List?
No. As long as the event number you are transferring to indicates that a transfer is allowed, you can just register the piece as a transfer through the online registration program. No special permission is required.
How do I register a transfer or permission?
In the online festival registration program, enter the event number, followed by the class, followed by P for permission or T for transfer. If a P is entered, another box will appear to enter the title of the Permission piece. If a T is entered, another box will appear to enter the Event/Class/Number of the piece being transferred.

For example: A Bb Clarinet and a Trumpet would like to perform a duet. They have decided to play Spanish Dancers (#7 from the class C Bb Clarinet Duet list). When registering the piece, it should be entered as 9118CT (9118 is a misc. ensemble for any combination of unlike families). In the transfer box that appears, enter 3322C7 (the event/class/number from the Bb clarinet duet list).

Should I play all movements in multi-movement selections?
Unless otherwise specified in the music list, the performer must select two contrasting movements to perform.
What is the correct performance length at festival?
• If the length of a selection exceeds the allotted time, it is permissible to cut part of the selection to stay within time limits. As a guideline, the performance should not exceed 75% of the allotted time.
• In Folk, Heritage, Ethnic Ensemble Events, the music performed must be 5 minutes in length or an additional selection must be added.
• If two contrasting movements do not use at least half the minimum allotted time, another movement must be added.
• All cuts should be indicated in the judges copy of the music.
The piece I am playing is too long. Do you have suggestions about how I should make cuts?
• Omit all repeats and take 2nd endings.
• Omit all piano introductions and interludes longer than 8 measures.
• If possible, omit D.C. al Fine or D.S. al Fine sections.
• Omit sections of repeated themes, if possible.
A few of my students can't come to our regular festival. Can I transfer them to a different festival?
Yes. Contact the festival manager to ensure additional events can be accommodated. Once confirmed, submit a Student Transfer Request Form (found on the 2022-2023 District Solo & Ensemble Festivals event page in the Account Portal). You will receive notification from WSMA when your request is processed. You will receive access to the new festival in the Festival App to register the event.

How do I add a late entry to my festival?
  1. Register the event as normal.
  2. Click “OK” in the Late Registration Acknowledgment box. Know that late registrations are subject to an additional fee.
  3. You will receive an email from WSMA indicating that your late registration has been approved or denied. If approved, no further action is needed.
  4. For more information please watch this Late Registration Tutorial Video.
How do I prepare the music for the Adjudicator(s)? Can I give them a photocopy?
• It is recommended that music be labeled with the School Name, Class entered and each measure consecutively numbered to facilitate judging procedures.
• The adjudicator must be provided with a publisher printed original of the matching, correct edition of the music to be performed or the performance will be done for “critique only.”  It is not the adjudicators’ responsibility to verify the authenticity of the performers’ music.
• The use of legal electronically printed music is permissible in all WSMA Festivals.
• In addition, teachers and students should follow all applicable copyright laws and rules in providing appropriate music for the performers.
What if my music is an alternate edition (publisher) than what is on the list?
Teachers from member schools may request to use an alternate edition of a selection on the current WSMA Festival Music List. This option applies to all events including non-permission events. If the submitted version is comparable, you will receive approval via e-mail to use the alternate edition. Print the “Festival Music Permission Approval” form and attach it to the judge’s copy of the music for each and every Festival. If the submitted version is denied use as an alternate edition, WSMA will contact the director.
Can I use e-Print music?
You are allowed to use e-Print music for the adjudicators if the e-Print edition is the same edition as is on the list. If it is not the same edition, you would need to fill out an Alternate Edition Request form.
My selection is available in Public Domain. Can I print out a copy to use for the adjudicator?
A print-out of Public Domain music is ONLY acceptable if it is the same edition as is on the WSMA Festival Music List. If it is not the same edition (but the music is the same), you would need to fill out an Alternate Edition Request form for it to be an accepted adjudicator copy. Please note that very few selections on the Festival Music List are in public domain under the same edition.
What do the letters in the festival numbers mean?
Typically the first letter (or two) determines the festival type.

  • C = Concert
  • S = Solo & Ensemble
  • J = Jazz
  • M = Middle School
  • LG = Large Groups/Ensembles
  • VP = Vocal/Piano
  • I = Instrumental
  • CB = Concert Band
  • CV = Concert Vocal
  • CO = Concert Orchestra

Additional letters like N, S, E and W can mean that a large festival/conference split into North or South, etc… Contact WSMA if you have questions about the types of events that can be registered at a specific festival.

Solo & Ensemble Festival

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  • Festival Manager Resources

Questions?

Festivals Support Team: Send a message
800-589-9762, 608-850-3566 (Madison area)

Suggestion Box

Have a song/event suggestion or enhancement for Festivals? Submit here

New Edition Available Now!

September 2023
“Music of All, Music for All”

This issue, also dedicated to the 2023 Wisconsin State Music Conference theme, supports equitable access and belonging through diverse music learning experiences, which include performing, listening, creating and connecting, as well as cultural exploration.

Read the full September edition online edition »

 

 

An educational collaboration by WSMA and PBS Wisconsin Education

Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin
In a state-wide survey and listening sessions with music educators, we learned about the need for current, authentic, culturally diverse resources, as well as support in teaching with and about music from different cultures. This multimedia collection for general music programs serving grades 4-8 includes video interviews with Wisconsin musicians, performances, audio files, and educator engagement guides designed to help activate the media with learners.
Learn More »

Thank you to…

This organization is supported with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and granted through the Wisconsin Arts Board.

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800.589.9762

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