WSMA Middle Level State Honors Music Project: About
| About the WSMA Middle Level State Honors Project | |
What is the WSMA State Honors Music
Project?
The Wisconsin State Honors Music Project offers talented youth
the opportunity to rehearse and perform with nationally-known conductors
in a professional setting. All Honors groups perform at the Wisconsin
State Music Conference. Middle Level State Honors students receive
their music in August and meet for the first time the day before
their fall performance. Rehearsal day and formal concert will take
place in the Madison area. Attendance is required at all
Honors activities for the entire scheduled time. Please see timeline for specific dates and times.
Eligibility
Students currently enrolled as full or part-time students in grades
6, 7, and 8 attending WSMA-member schools are eligible to audition for
the Middle Level State Honors Project. Students applying to audition for Honors must be a member of their
corresponding school music performing group during the audition.
Students selected for Honors membership must also be a member of
their corresponding school music group during the fall Honors performance.
Audition Requirements
Audition requirements can be printed from this web site and must
be followed carefully. Late applications will not be accepted. Teachers
can make copies of the requirements, preferably at least three months
before the auditions. Students should be prepared to perform any
part or all of their solo during the audition. Instrumental scales
must be memorized according to the articulation/bowing patterns
found on the audition requirements. All Middle Level Honors auditioners
participate in a required 15-minute non-adjudicated Ensemble Class taught
by the adjudicator within one hour of their scheduled private audition.
Online Registration
All WSMA State Honors Audition applications must be completed online.
Please adhere carefully to deadlines as listed on the timeline.
Equal Opportunity
All students are given equal opportunity for Honors membership.
During the audition scheduling process, each student is assigned
an audition number. Students are identified to the judge and the
Honors Selection Committee only by their audition number. No last
names or schools are given to the audition judge or Honors Selection
Committee. In addition, there is absolutely no geographic, gender,
race, age or quota system of any kind used in the Wisconsin State
Honors Music Project.
Honors Selection Process
In an effort to provide consistent evaluations at every audition
location, each Honors audition judge receives the same written and
verbal instructions. At the conclusion of the audition, the judge
makes a recommendation for each student based solely on the audition
performance. The following evaluation descriptors are found on every
Honors audition evaluation form:
Highly Recommended - A potential Honors section leader, and an outstanding musician. One of the best!
Recommended - Student would complement the Honors Project.
High Alternate - Student could participate this year, if needed.
Alternate - Student could participate, but has some weaknesses to overcome.
Not Ready - Student is not ready for Honors at this time.
The Honors Selection Committee reviews all audition forms and written comments without knowing any student's name or school. The audition number is the only way of identifying each student to the Honors Selection Committee.
Equal Musical Leadership
Woodwind, brass and percussion players are invited to Honors Band
or Honors Orchestra to ensure equal musical
leadership in both ensembles.
Results Notification Letters
Middle Level Honors students will be notified
of their audition results in early June. Unlike a WSMA Solo-Ensemble Festival performance, Honors auditions
are competitive, copies of the audition forms
are not given to students or teachers.
Does every student who auditions receive a letter?
Yes, each student who auditions will receive a letter notifying them of their audition status and thanking them for their efforts in preparing for their audition.
What is a Prioritized Alternate?
Students who receive a "Prioritized Alternate" letter
are the first to be called should an invited student decline the
invitation for membership. The number indicates the sequence of
students to be called. For example, if a student is the #3 alternate,
three people from that section will need to decline membership before
this student is invited to Honors. Students who receive an "Alternate"
letter indicating they may be chosen for Honors membership this
year, but they will only be called after there are no more students
on the prioritized list.
Honors Staff Applications
Wisconsin music teachers are invited to the Honors Staff based on
their outstanding musical and leadership skills. Teachers volunteer
their time and talents as section coaches, and also serve as chaperones.
Best of all, Honors staff members work with the most talented students
in the state, observe and interact with one of the nation's finest
conductors for an extended period of time, and participate in one
of the most rewarding professional growth opportunities available.
If you are interested in serving as an Honors staff member, complete this Honors Staff Application.