Keeping Your WSMA Membership Strong


Adolescence cues a barrage of new complex and often devastating feelings that contribute to the human experience. When we lost our sophomore classmate to a car accident, we shared our thoughts and memories in jazz band rehearsal. For many of us, it was our first personal trag- edy. Just over four months later, another classmate died in a swimming accident. Marching band season began a few days after, providing a welcome structure dur- ing our summer of grief.


People cope with heartache in a multitude of ways. It is fortunate that for 12 years of my student life, I made a healthy, positive choice by turning to the band rooms.


We need to provide that opportunity for all students in all classrooms. Not just because music is a rigorous academic subject backed by scientific evidence. But also because education is a big picture endeavor that should consider the whole person living a whole life in a very real world. Music, with its priceless lessons, is uniquely qualified to embody many facets of a whole life. We need to show students that music is always there for them.


Further, the band room would not have been the shelter I sought without its WSMA membership. Like the proverbial moth to a flame, I kept returning to prepare for State Marching Band Championships, High School State Honors Band, Solo & Ensemble Festivals and Concert Festivals. There was always a greater goal in mind, a tangible reason to unify, to seek direction from my teachers. WSMA allowed my school’s band program to reach beyond rehearsal.


How Can I Strengthen My WSMA Membership? Whether you are a WSMA newbie or vet- eran, the following membership exercises will help strengthen your membership in order to reach beyond rehearsal this 2016- 2017 school year.


1. Save money by taking advantage of early bird rates and meeting regis- tration deadlines.


• September 18: Last day for Wisconsin School Musician 29


discounted Wisconsin State Music Conference registration.


• October 1: Last day for discounted WSMA membership enrollment.


• Four-week festivals registration deadlines: Late fees take effect four weeks prior to festivals dates.


2. Ensure timely and accurate receipt of important WSMA information.


• Complete contact directory in- formation now: Keep our records accurate and secure access to your MyCenter account by completing the online form at wsmamusic.org/ directory.


• Update contact directory informa- tion throughout the school year: As changes are needed, complete a new online form at wsmamusic. org/directory, or contact us directly with updates.


3. Get on track with your WSMA con- cert festival participation record, and be kind to your budget and calendar by planning now.


• Schedule a fixed ensemble rotation with your music department col- leagues.


• Submit official registration and results by deadlines. For clinic experiences, submit registrations via the online form found in My- Center, and email scanned copies of the first page of rubrics directly to Anne.


• Read about updates to this WSMA requirement! WSMA now offers


only two, less-confusing options: the traditional concert festival and a newly-defined “clinic experi- ence,” born out of a desire to em- power teachers to tailor their own clinics to their ensemble’s unique needs.


4. Receive your festivals awards in time for ceremonies.


• Order your awards online upon receipt of official results to increase the likelihood that you will receive them in time for your celebrations.


5. Know your stuff.


• Peruse your MyCenter account and the new WSMA and WFSM websites (WMEA coming soon) to locate and access the most up- to-date resources and information.


• Brush up on WSMA membership requirements and festivals rules and ask questions early to give your students the best experiences from our programming and support.


We are parts, but we are also partners, working together to deliver the life- sustaining force of quality music educa- tion to the hearts and minds of Wisconsin students. Our goal: to promote healthy students by making them MusicStrong, Wisconsin-style.


Anne Proescholdt is WSMA program associate — member services.


Email: annep@wsmamusic.org


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