Wisconsin student musicians head to UW-Green Bay
Green Bay, WI – Thousands of dedicated middle and high school student musicians from across the state are preparing for the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Solo & Ensemble Festivals. UW-Green Bay will host this event on Friday, May 5 (evening Jazz Festival) and Saturday, May 6 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. It will be 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 Kevin Collins, Festival Manager for UW-Green Bay. “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 held festivals on April 29. Cardinal Stritch University, UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, UW-Parkside and UW-Stevens Point festivals will be held on May 6.
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.
About 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 WSMA Aca U. 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.
About UW-Green Bay
Established in 1965, UW-Green Bay is a public institution serving more than 9,600 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students and 95,000 continuing education learners each year. We educate students from pre- college through retirement and offer 200+ degrees, programs and certificates. UW-Green Bay graduates are resilient, inclusive, sustaining and engaged members of their communities, ready to rise to fearlessly face challenges, solve problems and embrace diverse ideas and people.
With four campus locations, the University welcomes students from every corner of the world.In 2021, UW-Green Bay was the fastest-growing UW school in Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.
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