Web: www.wsmamusic.org
WAUNAKEE, Wis. (April 17, 2018) – Thousands of dedicated middle and high school student musicians from across the state are preparing for the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Solo & Ensemble Festival.
Ten university campuses will host performances by more than 32,000 students, making this event one of the largest of its kind in the nation. UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater will hold festivals on April 28. Cardinal Stritch University, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-Parkside, UW-Stevens Point and Viterbo University festivals will be held on May 5. Solo & Ensemble Festivals are scheduled for 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. An evening Jazz Festival will take place on May 4 at UW-Green Bay. All events are open to the public and free of charge.
“Wisconsin music students continue to excel in their level of achievement and dedication to excellence,” according to WSMA Executive Director Tim Schaid. “The WSMA State Music Festival provides a quality opportunity for them to share the talents and skills developed in the classroom while creating a lifelong memory through their state festival performance.”
Students must earn a “starred first” rating in Class A (which consists of the most difficult music) at a WSMA District Music Festival to qualify for WSMA State Music Festivals. The participants, in grades 6 – 12, can choose from a variety of instrumental and vocal solo and ensemble categories for their performances in district festivals throughout the state. Over the past six months, WSMA has held over 225 such events, involving more participants than any other student activity.
Learn more about WSMA State Music Festivals and other programs by visiting wsmamusic.org. Festival information, including schedules and results, will be posted as available.
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.
