from the editor


“The Sunny Side of Music Learning” – There is both irony and consistency to this theme devel- oped one year ago at the rise of what ap- peared to be a bright and promising 2020, but actually went


down as the end of a pre-pandemic era with no sight of the dark days looming ahead.


In August, the WSMA Publications Com- mittee (aka, “Think Tank” of themes) convened for its biannual meeting, and at the top of the agenda, the golden question arose, “Are we pumping sunshine [insert sarcastic tone] by keeping the January 2021 WSM theme planned as is when times are anything but sunny?” It didn’t take long to conclude that music education often lights the way for students in the best and worst of times, and so it stuck.


Regardless of whether it happens in person or virtually, for many students the bright spot in their day is the music classroom. Often, it’s their happy and safe place to make emotional connections with fellow students, teachers and the music itself. The pressures surmount with today’s youth to continually reach higher standards. It is especially important amidst the rigor in school and challenges of everyday life, that students also get a chance to experi- ence the lighter side of education through music – often what attracted them in the first place.


In a wide spectrum of topics that bring joy (peer teaching, composition, aesthetics, fun and games, humor, positivity, innova- tion, collaboration, light-hearted moments – you name it), this issue is all about the sunny side of music learning, in whatever form it can take.


January 2021 (WSM Volume 91, Issue Number 2) is another piece of history, marking a new year with a ray of hope on the horizon. Let’s together turn the page.


WISCONSIN SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION


BOARD OF DIRECTORS President • Rich Appel • rappel@horicon.k12.wi.us Superintendent, School District of Horicon


President-Elect • Steve Plank • splank@basd.k12.wi.us Superintendent, Burlington Area School District


Past President • Richard Parks • rparks@marathon.k12.wi.us Superintendent, School District of Marathon


Executive Director • Laurie Fellenz • lfellenz@wsmamusic.org Oregon


District Representatives


NORTHERN • Peggy Ryan • ryanpe@scfschools.com Principal, St. Croix Falls High School


WEST CENTRAL • Heidi Eliopoulos • heliopoulos@altoona.k12.wi.us Superintendent, School District of Altoona


WESTERN • Steve Michaels • steve.michaels@westby-norse.org Superintendent, Westby Area School District


SOUTHWESTERN • Vacancy


NORTHEASTERN • Richard Parks • rparks@marathon.k12.wi.us Superintendent, Marathon School District


CENTRAL • Dan Wolfgram • dwolfgram@manawa.k12.wi.us Principal, Manawa Middle School and Little Wolf High School EASTERN • Vacancy


SOUTH CENTRAL • Mark Hoernke • mhoer@poynette.k12.wi.us Principal, Poynette High School


EAST CENTRAL • Rich Appel • rappel@horicon.k12.wi.us Superintendent, School District of Horicon


SOUTHEASTERN • Steve Plank • splank@basd.k12.wi.us Superintendent, Burlington Area School District


Wisconsin Music Educators Association Paul Budde, President • UW-River Falls • paul.budde@uwrf.edu Brad Schneider, President-Elect • Verona • brad.schneider102@gmail.com Kati Seiter, Past President • Oregon • katiseiter11@gmail.com


Wisconsin Association of School Boards Andrew Maertz • Reedsville • amaertz@wasb.org


State Arts Advocates Yorel Lashley • Madison • yorell@mindspring.com Ben Heninger • Gresham • heningb@gresham.k12.wi.us


Past Board Member Representatives


Jon B. Gilliland • Fond du Lac • jonbgilliland@gmail.com Gregg Butler • Fall Creek • gbutler11@gmail.com


Kevin Thays, Editor 4 January 2021


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