Campus Connection

Thousands of middle and high school student musicians from across the state are preparing for the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Solo & Ensemble Festival. UW-La Crosse will host the event from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Performances will be held in the Center for the Arts, Centennial Hall and Graff Main Hall. The festival is free and open to the public. "The WSMA State Music Festival is an enriching experience for all participants, both performers and their supporters,” says UW-L Director of Bands Tammy Fisher, Festival Manager for UW-L. “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 225 such events, involving more participants than any other student activity. "Wisconsin music students continue to excel in their level of achievement and dedication to excellence,” according to WSMA Executive Director Tim Schaid. “The WSMA State Music Festival provides a quality opportunity for them to share the talents and skills developed in the classroom while creating a lifelong memory through their state festival performance." Nine other university campuses will host performances by more than 32,000 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 27. Cardinal Stritch University, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-Parkside and UW-Stevens Point festivals will be held May 4. An evening Jazz Festival will take place on May 3 at the St. Norbert College (DePere) campus. Learn more about WSMA State Music Festivals and other programs by visiting www.wsmamusic.org. Festival information, including schedules and results, will be posted as available. If you go— Who: Area High School and Middle School students What: Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Solo & Ensemble Festival When: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, May 4 Where: Center for the Arts, Centennial Hall and Graff Main Hall. Admission: Free.  

The Wisconsin School Music Association

Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) is a service organization with more than 1,000 member public and private schools. Each year, more than 220,000 students take the initiative to become involved in WSMA activities, including District and State Music Festivals, State Honors Music Project, State Marching Band Championships, Launchpad and Concert Festivals. WSMA, also owner and operator of the Wisconsin Center for Music Education, 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.