Posted 11:24 a.m. Thursday, April 27, 2023
Wisconsin student musicians head to UW-La Crosse
Hundreds of high and middle school student musicians are about to descend upon UW-La Crosse for the WSMA State Music Festival on Saturday, May 6.
They will be joining thousands of dedicated student musicians from across the state who are preparing for the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Solo & Ensemble Festivals.
The event at UW-La Crosse runs from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, in Centennial Hall and the Lowe Center for the Arts. It is open to the public and free of charge.
"The WSMA State Music Festival is an enriching experience for all participants, both performers and their supporters,” said Tammy Fisher, festival manager for UWL. “It is also an opportunity for our music program to showcase our facilities and emphasize how much we value and support the efforts of our school music colleagues, their students and their families.”
Students must earn a “starred first” rating in Class A (which consists of the most difficult music) at a WSMA District Music Festival to qualify for WSMA State Music Festivals. The participants, in grades 6-12, can choose from a variety of instrumental and vocal solo and ensemble categories for their performances in district festivals throughout the state. Over the past six months, WSMA has held over 140 such events, involving more participants than any other student activity.
“We are extremely committed to providing Wisconsin students access to programs like WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festivals that contribute to a well-rounded education. This state’s musical youth continue to demonstrate their exceptional growth and achievement through these and other opportunities facilitated by our exceptional music educators,” said WSMA Executive Director Laurie Fellenz.
Nine other university campuses will host performances by more than 11,000 students, making this event one of the largest of its kind in the nation. UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater will hold festivals on April 29. Cardinal Stritch University, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-Parkside and UW-Stevens Point festivals will be held on May 6. An evening Jazz Festival will take place May 5 at UW-Green Bay.
Learn more about WSMA State Music Festivals and other programs by visiting wsmamusic.org. Festival information, including schedules and results, will be posted as available.
What is the Wisconsin School Music Association?
Founded in 1932, Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) is a non-profit service organization with more than 1,000 member public and private schools. Students from member schools are eligible to participate in WSMA programs, such as District and State Music Festivals, Concert Festivals, State Honors Music Project, State Marching Band Championships, Student Composition Project and others. WSMA 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 them.