from the editor


Welcome to this issue of Wisconsin School Musician themed “Bridging the Gap!”


When you see the word “Gap,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? If it’s “Shop Gap,” you might be surprised at


the similar meaning this marketing slogan has to our theme.


From the official Gap, Inc. website – “Amer- ican Optimism is our attitude … Clean and confident, comfortable and accessible, clas- sic and modern … Gap embraces a youthful, infectious spirit and the freedom to express individual style.” Gap, Inc. was born from the idea of embracing the generation gap and making a powerful connection to new generations with its retail offerings.


Ironically, there is a parallel of the Gap brand to our “Bridging the Gap” theme. When the WSMA Publications Committee brought this theme to fruition, the discussion focused on embracing the gap, wherever it exists, and finding ways (opportunities) to make new connections to the music class- room. While Gap, Inc. was never mentioned, instilling optimism, building confidence, creating accessibility, discovering where classic meets modern, etc., were all part of the conversation about being “relevant” to today’s music students.


Students’ musical interests extend well be- yond school to the countless ways they make music part of their lives. From the band in the garage to the student on a computer us- ing GarageBand, personal interests in music are diverse, as are cultural influences, which differ throughout the state based on demo- graphics, socioeconomics, pop culture, you name it! The gaps between musical interests in and outside of school can be seen as op- portunities to make connections.


There are other gaps to be found, too, such as those between different types of educa- tors (music and non-music), educators and administrators, educators and their com- munities, etc.


It’s time to “Shop Gap” in music ed! Find the gap. Embrace it. Bridge it!


WISCONSIN SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION


BOARD OF DIRECTORS President • R. Scott Pierce • spierce17@wi.rr.com District Administrator, Central High School District of Westosha, Salem


President-Elect • Jon Gilliland • jonbgilliland@gmail.com Fond du Lac


Past President • Gregg Butler • Fall Creek • gbutler11@gmail.com


District Representatives NORTHERN • Nathan Vlcek • nvlcekn@ricelake.k12.wi.us Associate Principal, Rice Lake Middle School


WEST CENTRAL • Tim Johnson • johnstim@gcsd.k12.wi.us Superintendent, Glenwood City High School


WESTERN • Sam Ruud • ruuds@arcadia.k12.wi.us Principal, Arcadia Middle School


SOUTHWESTERN • Luke Francois • luke.francois@mp.k12.wi.us Superintendent, Mineral Point Public Schools


NORTHEASTERN • Richard Parks • rparks@marathon.k12.wi.us Superintendent, Marathon Public Schools


CENTRAL • Ken Bates • kbates@glsd.k12.wi.us Superintendent/Principal, Green Lake Public Schools


EASTERN • Rich Appel • appelr@chilton.k12.wi.us Principal, Middle School, Chilton


SOUTH CENTRAL • Marcy Peters-Felice • marcypetersfelice@ waunakee.k12.wi.us • Principal, Middle School, Waunakee


EAST CENTRAL • Doug Arendt • darendt@grafton.k12.wi.us Assistant Principal, John Long Middle School, Grafton


SOUTHEASTERN • R. Scott Pierce • spierce17@wi.rr.com District Administrator, Central High School District of Westosha, Salem


Wisconsin Music Educators Association James Scheuer, President • Owen • jimscheuer@charter.net Lynn Seidl, President-Elect • Luxemburg • lynn.a.seidl@gmail.com Leyla Sanyer, Past President • Verona • leyla.sanyer@gmail.com


Wisconsin Association of School Boards


Terry McCloskey • Three Lakes • capt.mccloskey@gmail.com Department of Public Instruction


Julie Palkowski • Madison • julie.palkowski@dpi.wi.gov


Parent-Community Liaison Todd Schmidt • Waunakee • tschmidt@vil.waunakee.wi.us


Past Board Member Representative


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


Kevin Thays, Editor 4


April 2016


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