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Beliefs and Mission Statements:
WSMA:
"We believe a high-quality, comprehensive,
inclusive music curriculum should be offered in all schools
and available to all students."
The mission of WSMA is to provide leadership
and support for school music programs to ensure all students
have opportunities which encourage lifelong involvement
in music and to make music an integral part of the school
curriculum and community life.
WFSM:
"We believe every student should have the
opportunity to participate in music activities."
The mission of the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music
is to promote and perpetuate music education
in the schools of Wisconsin and to assist in carrying out
the educational and charitable purposes of the Wisconsin
School Music Association.
For the students of Wisconsin:
"We believe the study of music helps develop
creativity, self-expression, and discipline."
The WSMA is proud to serve more than 200,000 students in
Wisconsin schools. Students enrolled in member schools may
participate in WSMA programs for Bands, Marching Bands,
Choirs, Orchestras, Solos, Ensembles, and Composition. WSMA
and the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music offer scholarships
to students, based on need and merit, making WSMA programs
available to even more students.
For the schools of Wisconsin:
"We believe that a quality music program
has a positive impact on school climate and community life."
Wisconsin School Music Association strives to provide our
students the very best music programs. WSMA accomplishes
this through its structure, a cooperative coalition of administrators,
principals, and music educators; through its resources,
providing publications and presentations for its member
schools that show how their programs can be improved; and
through its advocacy activities, speaking on behalf of our
schools as a single, strong voice that interacts with state
and federal agencies and organizations.
For the professional educators of Wisconsin:
"We believe continued professional growth
is essential for teachers and administrators."
Music educators benefit because WSMA encourages learning:
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By welcoming involvement in its numerous
committees, which play a vital role in developing new
and existing programs and policies. These committees
involve over 150 volunteers, a large number of which
are music educators and school administrators. |
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By offering participation
in workshops that examine new and important topics and
techniques. Each year hundreds of music educators enroll
in WSMA professional development courses or workshops.
These educational activities keep our music educators
aware of the contemporary trends in music education,
and can also be counted towards Wisconsin's teacher
certification requirements. |
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By developing and distributing publications
and media resources. |
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By sponsoring programs and events that
introduce new levels of excellence from every part of
the state. |
For the communities of Wisconsin:
"We believe music develops life skills."
Schools are faced with the challenge of providing society
with graduates that have developed skills to be successful
in their adult lives - able to function in a global society
and work force. In our own cities and towns, the business
community tells us that they need individuals with the ability
to display a good attitude, to put forth good effort, to
be responsible, and to do quality work.
What is interesting about the needs of our society, communities,
and businesses is that the study of music and the experience
of participating in a music activity equips students with
the life skills and tools of success that our communities
and businesses require. Furthermore, students participating
in music activities gain leadership, enhanced self-esteem,
the ability to work together, and the opportunity to realize
and fulfill their personal and academic potential. WSMA
also enhances our communities by sponsoring hundreds of
musical events that are open to the public.
Beyond these benefits to our communities, what WSMA brings
to our citizens is private. Private, in the sense that the
real benefactor of WSMA programs and experiences is the
family. When parents share their children's interest in
music, encourage their progress, celebrate their achievement
- award winning or not - parents, through music, become
closer to their children. And while this may be the least
obvious benefit WSMA brings to our communities, it is, without
doubt, the most rewarding.
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