UW-Green Bay to host WSMA music festival May 2

Dedicated middle and high school student musicians across the state are participating in the annual Wisconsin School Music Association State Solo & Ensemble Festival.

UW-Green Bay, again one of the regional host sites, expects to welcome several thousand students, their families and teachers this Saturday (May 2) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

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.

“The WSMA State Music Festival is an enriching experience for all participants, both performers and their supporters,” says UW-Green Bay Associate Prof. Kevin Collins, director of bands and Festival manager for UW-Green Bay. “It is also an opportunity for us to showcase our university, students, faculty, and staff, and emphasize how much we value regional school music programs.”

This year, Collins adds, the campus is offering “some fun extra things for students to do,” including an open Jazz Jam, and another open mic for acoustic music and poetry, information for parents and students about UW-Green Bay, and more.

Says WSMA Executive Director Tim Schaid, “Wisconsin music students continue to excel in their level of achievement and dedication to excellence. 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 hosted festivals on April 25. The UW-Green Bay, Cardinal Stritch University, UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, UW-Parkside and UW-Stevens Point festivals will also be held on May 2. An evening Jazz Festival will take place on May 1 at Green Bay Preble High School.

More information about the WSMA State Music Festivals is available at www.wsmamusic.org. Festival information, including schedules and results, will be posted as available.

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