Wisconsin Students Head to State Music Festivals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kevin Thays
Phone: 608-850-3566
Email: kthays@wsmamusic.org
Web: www.wsmamusic.org
WAUNAKEE, Wis. (April 12, 2006) – Thousands of 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 29, including UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater. On Saturday, May 6, festivals will be held at Cardinal Stritch University, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, 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.
WSMA State Music Festivals featuring instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles and show choirs will be held at Green Bay Preble High School on Friday, May 5. The event kicks off at 3:30 p.m. and is open to the public at no charge.
“The state music festivals are one of the most important ways we work toward our mission of providing leadership and support for school music programs to ensure all students have opportunities which encourage lifelong involvement in music,” said Eric Runestad, WSMA executive director.
In order to participate in the 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.
WSMA has a strong history of offering programs and services (i.e., state solo and ensemble festivals, state honors music projects, state marching band championships, student composition project, etc.) that help youth achieve excellence through music. The organization is headquartered in the new Wisconsin Center for Music Education – first of its kind in the nation, located in Waunakee.
To learn more about WSMA and State Music Festivals, visit 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 is a service organization with more than 950 member public and private schools. Last year, over 219,000 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. WSMA is headquartered in, owns and operates the Wisconsin Center for Music Education - first of its kind in the nation. The organization 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.