Student Composers Win Top WSMA Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kevin Thays
Phone: 608-850-3566
Email: kthays@wmea.com
Web: www.wsmamusic.org
WAUNAKEE, Wis. (May 23, 2005) – Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) honored winners of its 17th annual WSMA/DPI Student Composition Project on May 27. Eight students from across the state were recognized for their creative musical work during an awards ceremony at the State Capitol building, Madison.
WSMA Board of Directors President Elect Andrew Meuler and Debbie Mahaffey, Assistant State Superintendent at the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) addressed the students. Select winning composition recordings were played at the event. Winners' music teachers, principals, superintendents, parents and other family members were invited to the ceremony.
The Student Composition Project is sponsored by WSMA and DPI. Its goal is to encourage the positive artistic and creative musical abilities of Wisconsin students. An integral component of the National Standards for Music Education, the Student Composition Project is a fundamental extension of the creative element of music education specified in Wisconsin’s music curriculum guide.
Middle School Division
In the Middle School Division (grades 5-8), first place and Best Instrumental Solo awards went to Jesse Brault of Westby Middle School for the original composition, “The Snowball Fight.” Alexander Hurlburt of Wausau John Muir Middle School received second place and Best Instrumental Solo awards for “Serenity.” Bret Van Nuland of Greenville Middle School took third place for his composition titled, “The Tomb of the Pharaoh.” Best Vocal Solo award went to Mariah Wulff of Fontana Middle School for “Lost.”
High School Division
In the High School Division (grades 9-12), several students were recognized. First place and Best Instrumental Solo awards were given to Kyle Davison of Antigo High School for his composition, “Somnambulism.” Alex Kreger of Brookfield East High School received second place and Best Instrumental Ensemble awards for “Music for Piano, Strings and Percussion.” Third place and Best Instrumental Jazz Composition awards went to Garth Neustadter of Manitowoc Lutheran High School for “Minor Mishaps.” Paul Russ of Racine Horlick High School received the Best Vocal Ensemble award for “Noctem et Diem.”
Statewide, 75 students in grades 5-12 submitted compositions to WSMA in one of eight categories. A total of 58 students submitted compositions in the High School Division and 17 students entered the Middle School Division. All compositions were evaluated by two professional Wisconsin composers. The following students received honorable mention certificates for their compositions.
| Student’s Name | School | Composition Title | Category |
| David Berard | Racine Horlick High School | “A Sunny Night” | Instrumental Jazz |
| Anthony Plopper | La Crosse Central High School | “Dance Fantastia” | Instrumental Solo |
| Jim Robinson | Waukesha South High School | “String Quartet in E Minor” | Instrumental Ensemble |
| Brian Schoettler | Kenosha Tremper High School | “Feaste for Four” | Instrumental Ensemble |
| Aaron Sherraden | Middleton High School | “Distances” | Instrumental Ensemble |
| Allison Shinnick | Fox Valley Lutheran High School | “Got My Wings” | Instrumental Solo |
| Daniel Simanek | Racine Horlick High School | “El Fin De Auga Fria” | Instrumental Ensemble |
| Jess Brault | Westby Middle School | “The Viceroy” | Instrumental Ensemble |
| Joe Meland | Madison Spring Harbor Middle School | “The Hunt” | Instrumental Solo |
For more information about WSMA and the Student Composition Program, go to http://www.wsmamusic.org/programs/composition_project/index.html
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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.