Students from area schools will participate in a Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) sanctioned District Solo & Ensemble Music Festival hosted by the Wautoma Area School District on Saturday, Feb. 25 at Parkside School. During the festival, which is free and open to the public, students will perform vocal and instrumental solos, duets, trios and small ensembles before an adjudicator.
WSMA music festivals annually attract thousands of students from middle, junior high and high schools throughout Wisconsin. The festival will draw students from a number of area schools, including Wautoma, Westfield, Nekoosa, Adams-Friendship, and Mauston. Megan Stevens, instrumental music educator from Parkside School, will be serving as the festival manager with support from the Wautoma Music Department: Kristin Albright, Tommy Dubnicka, May McKinney, and Molly Siefert.
“WSMA is proud of the quality music education experiences we support teachers in providing for their students. Our long-standing festival programs encourage well-rounded musicians who develop deeper understanding through performance preparation that culminates in comprehensive feedback from a qualified adjudicator. This opportunity, coupled with observing and listening to peer performances, is invaluable for musical growth,” said WSMA Executive Director Laurie Fellenz.
WSMA music festivals support school music programs as part of a comprehensive education by encouraging the study of quality music literature; motivating students to prepare and perform to the best of their abilities; improving students’ understanding of music literature and concepts (performance through understanding) and providing a performance assessment to improve individual and group achievement.
For more information on WSMA, go to www.wsmamusic.org.
