UW–Parkside to Host Wisconsin School Music Association State Solo & Ensemble Festival

On Saturday, May 5, the UW-Parkside Music Department will host the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Solo & Ensemble Festival from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on the UW-Parkside campus.

This annual event will feature over 800 different music events, and over 2,000 music students from southeastern Wisconsin middle schools and high schools, as well as parents, directors, judges, and volunteer helpers involved in the festival. The event is free and open to the public.

UW-Parkside’s associate dean in the College of Arts and Humanities, Alvaro Garcia, is also the festival manager. “The WSMA State Music Festival is an enriching experience for all participants, both performers and those who support their hard work and dedication,” Garcia says. “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.

For complete information including a detailed schedule of events at UW-Parkside, visit the Wisconsin School Music Association State Festival website at: http://wsmamusic.org/festivals/state/parkside/

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