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.