FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kevin Thays
Phone: 608-850-3566
Web: wsmamusic.org
WAUNAKEE, Wis. (October 10, 2024) – More than 30 high school bands from across the state will march on the UW-Whitewater campus Saturday, October 19 for the 39th annual Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Marching Band Championships at Forrest Perkins Stadium, starting at 11:45 a.m. Click here for schedule.
“The WSMA State Marching Band Championships bring thousands of people invested in the marching arts together, promoting excellence and pride along with a spirit of support and enthusiasm for our marching band youth and their educators,” said Laurie Fellenz, WSMA executive director.
The WSMA State Marching Band Championships are divided into four entry classes (A, AA, AAA and AAAA) determined by total school enrollment. Each band is allowed on the field a maximum of 14 minutes (including entry, performance and exit). A panel of eight judges evaluates bands in five areas: music performance, visual performance, general effect, percussion and color guard. Bands receive verbal commentary recorded in real time during their performance. Bands may compete competitively or as judged exhibition (groups receive a score but it is not announced or factored into rankings.) In each competitive class, “A” through “AAAA,” awards for Best Percussion, Best Musical Presentation, Best Visual Presentation and Best Color Guard are presented, in addition to division awards and the top three awards in each class.
At this year’s championships, Luther Appel will be inducted into the WSMA Marching Band Hall of Fame, which is intended to recognize the contributions made by individuals to the marching activity in Wisconsin. Appel has dedicated his life to the musical enrichment of students through the marching arts. Growing up in Wisconsin, his contributions began as a student member of the Oregon High School Marching Band, participating in the national marching band circuit in the early 70s. He went on to become a renowned music educator with an impressive, decades-long tenure teaching and adjudicating in the marching band arts. Appel’s passion for providing a musically meaningful, disciplined and educational experience through marching band has inspired countless students and educators in Wisconsin and beyond to achieve excellence in their own musical pursuits.
Family, friends and community members are invited to attend the 2024 WSMA State Marching Band Championships. Tickets $16 online ($20 at gate) for adults; $8 online ($10 at gate) for students 18 and under, senior citizens and undergraduate college students with valid college ID. Children five and under, free admission. For more information, including post-event results, visit wsmamusic.org.
# # #
Founded in 1932, Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) is a non-profit service organization with more than 1,000 member public and private schools. Students from member schools are eligible to participate in WSMA programs, such as District and State Music Festivals, Concert Festivals, State Honors Music Project, State Marching Band Championships, and Student Composition Project. WSMA is governed by a board of directors made up of superintendents, principals and other officers from across the state. WSMA believes music is a basic human need and that all children have the right to experience all that music offers them.
