Top Student Musicians Head to State Music Festivals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kevin Thays • Phone: 608-850-3566
Email: kthays@wmea.com •
Web: www.wsmamusic.org
WAUNAKEE, WI (April 14, 2004) – Thousands of students will head to universities 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 in the nation.
More than 35,000 student musicians will take part in WSMA State Music Festivals, held on nine university campuses throughout Wisconsin. Universities hosting WSMA State Music Festivals Saturday, April 24, include UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville, and UW-Whitewater. On Saturday, May 1, festivals will be held at UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-Parkside, UW-Stevens Point, and Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon. All festivals are scheduled for 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and are open to the public, free of charge.
WSMA State Festivals featuring instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles and show choirs will be held at Kettle Moraine High School on Friday, April 23, and De Pere High School, on Friday, April 30. Both will kick off at 4 p.m., open to the public at no charge.
"The dedication and quality of performance demonstrated by these young musicians is truly inspiring," said Richard Fellenz, WSMA Festivals Coordinator.
In order to participate in the State Music Festival, 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.
To learn more about WSMA and State Music Festivals, log on to www.wsmamusic.org. WSMA State Music Festival schedules and results will be posted as they are completed. They will be searchable by school, student and event number.
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The Wisconsin School Music Association is a non-profit service organization composed of over 1,000 member public and private schools. Last year, more than 200,000 students took the initiative to be involved in WSMA activities, including District and State Music Festivals, the State Honors Project, Student Composition Project, State Marching Band Championships, and more. WSMA believes music is basic, and all children have the right to experience all that music offers them.