FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Kevin Thays, WSMA communications director, thaysk@wsmamusic.org
Alyssa Beno, PBS Wisconsin publicist, alyssa.beno@pbswisconsin.org
(March 20, 2025) — PBS Wisconsin Education and Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) welcome the Mashkiibiizii Youth Singers to their Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin classroom media collection. The Mashkiibiizii Youth Singers continue the tradition of cultural preservation through learning the singing and drumming skills that allow them to celebrate impactful moments and connect with Tribal Nations across the country.
Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin is a multimedia resource designed to help general music educators and learners in grades 4-8 explore the connections between music, culture and emotion. The collection features culture-bearers of music from Wisconsin, as they share a composition and discuss their musicianship, culture and identity. It includes video interviews and performances; audio tracks; and educator engagement guides featuring learning outcomes, strategies, assessments and aligned standards.
“From the gift of the first drum to the universal language through song, the Mashkiiziibii Youth Singers exemplify the meaning of singing with the drum,” said Ryan Hendricks, PBS Wisconsin Education Executive Producer.
In an interview, Zach Hartlev and Nathaniel Ante explain how Powwow drumming and singing are deeply rooted in cultural tradition, serving as a shared spiritual expression and a way to bring people together through music. Members of the Mashkiibiizii Youth Singers describe how learning and performing Powwow music fosters cultural identity, connection and a sense of responsibility to preserve traditions for future generations.
The group performs an honor song composed by Wabano Owanapei. Ante explains an honor song can be performed for a variety of occasions to honor someone.
Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin is available for free online access at pbswisconsineducation.org/resound.
Funding for Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin is provided by the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation, the Focus Fund for Education and Friends of PBS Wisconsin.
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PBS Wisconsin is a service of the Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
PBS Wisconsin is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV, Madison; WPNE-TV, Green Bay; WHRM-TV, Wausau; WLEF-TV, Park Falls; WHLA-TV, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV, Menomonie-Eau Claire.
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 all over the state. WSMA believes music is a basic human need and that all children have the right to experience all that music offers them.
