Wisconsin Students Off to State Music Festivals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Phone: 608-850-3566
Web: www.wsmamusic.org
Eleven Universities Host 32,000+ Qualifying Student Musicians
WAUNAKEE, Wis. (April 17, 2007) – Thousands of middle and high school 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 32,000 student musicians will take part in WSMA State Music Festivals. Several universities will host festivals on Saturday, April 28, including UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater. On Saturday, May 5, festivals will be held at Cardinal Stritch University, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Parkside and UW-Stevens Point. Festivals are scheduled for 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and are open to the public, free of charge.
The WSMA State Music Jazz Festival featuring instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles and show choirs will be held at St. Norbert College in DePere on Friday, May 4. The event kicks off at 3:30 p.m. and is open to the public at no charge.
“Music students and teachers across the state have excelled in their efforts,” said Jeff Gretzinger, WSMA program director. “WSMA is proud to have this opportunity to support school music programs and continue to encourage lifelong involvement in music,” he said.
In order to participate in the WSMA 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.
Learn more about WSMA State Music Festivals and other programs by visiting www.wsmamusic.org. WSMA State Music Festival information will be posted as available on the festival web pages. Schedules and results will be searchable by school, student and event number.
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Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) is a service organization with more than 950 member public and private schools. Each year, more than 220,000 students take the initiative to become involved in WSMA activities, including District and State Music Festivals, State Honors Projects, State Marching Band Championships and Concert Festivals. WSMA, also owner and operator of the Wisconsin Center for Music Education, 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.