Top Student Musicians Participate in State Music Festivals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kevin Thays
Phone: 608-850-3566
Email: kthays@wmea.com
Web: www.wsmamusic.org
WAUNAKEE, Wis. (April 12, 2005) – Thousands of students will head to various locations across the state in the upcoming weeks for their opportunity to perform in a Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Music Festival – one of the largest student events of its kind in the nation.
More than 35,000 student musicians will take part in WSMA State Music Festivals. Several universities will host festivals on Saturday, April 30, including UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater. On Saturday, May 7, festivals will be held at UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-Parkside, SPASH/UW-Stevens Point and West Allis Nathan Hale High School. All festivals are scheduled for 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and are open to the public, free of charge.
WSMA State Music Festivals featuring instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles and show choirs will be held at Kettle Moraine High School on Friday, April 29, and Green Bay Preble High School, on Friday, May 6. Both will kick off at 4 p.m. and are open to the public at no charge.
“The state music festivals are one of the most important ways we work toward our mission of providing leadership and support for school music programs to ensure all students have opportunities which encourage lifelong involvement in music,” said Eric Runestad, WSMA executive director.
In order to participate in the State Music Festivals, students must first earn a “starred first” rating in Class A (the most difficult music) at a WSMA District Music Festival, hosted by schools for students in grades 6-12. Students can select from a variety of instrumental and vocal solo and ensemble categories for their performances. Over 225 district festivals were held in Wisconsin during the past six months, involving more participants than any other student activity in the state.
WSMA has a strong history of offering programs and services (i.e., solo and ensemble festivals, state honors music projects, state marching band championships, student composition project, etc.) to help youth achieve excellence through music. In addition to continuing these dedicated programs and services, the organization is on the forefront of breaking new ground for music education, including construction of the Wisconsin Center for Music Education, first of its kind in the nation opening this summer.
To learn more about WSMA and State Music Festivals, log on to www.wsmamusic.org. WSMA State Music Festival information will be posted as available. Schedules and results will be searchable by school, student and event number.
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The Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) is a service organization with more than 1,000 member public and private schools. Last year, over 225,000 students took the initiative to become involved in WSMA activities, including District and State Music Festivals, State Honors Projects, State Marching Band Championships and Concert Festivals. The Association is governed by a Board of Directors made up of superintendents, principals and other officers from all over our state. WSMA believes music is a basic human need and that all children have the right to experience all that music offers them.