More information will be posted on this page soon with further details about Solo & Ensemble and how to audition. Check back soon!
Obtaining a piano accompanist and what you need to know!
Having a piano accompanist is a great opportunity for students to experience. They get to work with someone one on one and challenge their skills as a musician. However, it should be noted that neither the school or the boosters are able to help with funding for these accompanists. If your student would like to work with a piano accompanist, the parents will be required to pay their fee ($20). If the students are performing a duet, that fee may be split between the two ($10 each). Also note that piano accompanists are not required for Solo & Ensemble auditions and students may choose to audition along to a valid accompaniment CD/Recording.
Is the Solo & Ensemble a requirement for my student?
No. No students are forced to audition for Solo & Ensemble, though most of them will want to! It's a great experience and a fun way to show off their musical talents. Students also get to travel and witness the audition process.
Who is going to Solo & Ensemble this year?
Both Middle School & High School Students can audition for Solo & Ensemble. For the Whole Group Ensemble, Marshall Middle School participated in last year, which means that this year the High School will attend this year.
What music can my student choose?
Come back soon for this! They have not released the official music list yet.
What exactly is Solo & Ensemble (more information found on their website http://wsmamusic.org/festivals/)
About Solo & Ensemble Festivals
The festival program for which WSMA is most well-known, Solo & Ensemble, draws in more than 100,000 students each year, representing every county in the state of Wisconsin! “I still have my Solo & Ensemble medals” is a statement regularly heard by WSMA staff from generations of festival participants who take pride in this long-time tradition, which creates memories and skills for life. Through the Solo & Ensemble experience, students learn the discipline of rehearsal, are challenged to advance their musical skills, perform in front of an audience and adjudicator, and receive feedback on their performance. Those that perform at the highest level (Class A) at a WSMA District Festival have the opportunity to receive a 1* (one-star) rating which advances them on to State Solo & Ensemble Festival.
Each year over 32,000 students (11,000+ events) qualify at district festivals to perform at State Solo & Ensemble festival making this event one of the largest of its kind in the nation. These students represent the student talent and high quality of music programs in Wisconsin’s schools.
District Solo & Ensemble Festival
District festivals are held at local schools and scheduled by the district festival manager. Adjudicators are selected by WSMA.
For students in grades: 6-12
Timeline: November, January-April
State Solo & Ensemble Festival
For students that receive a “starred first” rating (*1) at the Class A level at a district festival. State festivals are held at a total of 11 University/College campuses around Wisconsin. Scheduling and adjudicator selection is done by WSMA.
Timeline: Last Saturday of April and first Saturday of May
All WSMA Festivals have five primary goals:
- Improve students’ music performance;
- Increase students’ understanding of music literature and music concepts;
- Motivate students to continue their study of music;
- Establish standards of excellence in music performance;
- Provide opportunities for students to understand the relationship of music experiences to other life experiences.
About the Process
Music Selection – Students and their teachers choose a musical selection from the WSMA Festival Music List to study. The list is divide into three difficulty levels, called ‘classes”
Class C – Entry level. For students in their first/second years of study
Class B – Experienced level. For students in their second/third/fourth years of study
Class A – Advanced level.
*Teachers may choose the appropriate level for their student.
Rehearsal – Student’s learn about and rehearse their chosen selection.
At Festival –
- The student reports to the performance room at the assigned time.
- The student introduces themself and their selection, then performs.
- The adjudicator will provide a written and verbal critique of the performance and award a rating based on defined criteria. (Rating 1 = highest, rating 5 = lowest)
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