from the desk of the executive director
Service and Commitment to Music Education Laurie N. Fellenz, Executive Director
As we embark on the final few months of the 2023–24 school year, there are several groups of music educators, school administra- tors and employees for which to share gratitude and thanks
for all they continue to do each and every year to ensure that our programs and ser- vices for youth and educators are possible. In acknowledging them, we also bring light to all those who have served through our as- sociations and foundation for over 90 years.
Adjudicators and Festival Managers
With over 500 adjudicators in service this year, Wisconsin School Music Associa- tion (WSMA) has once again served over 100,000 youth musicians through our festi- vals and honors programs. Currently, in or- der to be listed as a WSMA adjudicator, one must complete the necessary background checks and youth protection coursework along with the requisite training provided annually to this group of music educators. Adjudicators have a critical touchpoint with our member school students, and for this reason, the experiences they provide first hand are a key piece of our service to schools.
Supporting this unit are the over 150 festi- val managers who have served Wisconsin schools this year both through district solo & ensemble festivals as well as large group concert festivals. Festival managers are the first point of contact for the events held statewide throughout the school year, and their roles include the use of technology to support scheduling the entire festival, communications with music educators attending the festival, family and student facing communications to support their event experience, and organizing volun- teers. On the day of the festivals, they are responsible for ensuring all aspects of the
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festival happen as designed and reporting the outcome to the state office.
Thank you to every adjudicator and festival manager and we appreciate you and the difference you make for students!
Boards, Council and Committees
When you look throughout this month’s publication, please take notice of all the board and council members of Wiscon- sin School Music Association (WSMA), Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) and Wisconsin Foundation for School Music (WFSM). Then look through the long lists of educators who support festivals, honors and the annual conference. There are over 250 volunteers who serve our state associations annually through their support of programs and the services provided.
There are multiple key committees across WSMA and WMEA: Festivals, Honors, Marching Band, Publications, Comprehen- sive Musicianship through Performance, Standards, Advocacy, and Government Relations are the largest committees, and the membership across these committees includes nearly 200 individuals. Our grati- tude for your service in support of music education and musical youth.
WSMA and WFSM board leaders are primarily Wisconsin school administrators and state arts advocates who volunteer their time to service and represent their district. Thank you for taking on this additional responsibility to ensure music education remains strong for all of our state’s youth. Your service makes a significant difference for Wisconsin schools and the students who attend them.
WMEA has a board and council of nearly 40 people, and these volunteer positions are held by educators, current and retired, across the full K–12 and higher education spectrum. Although their own jobs keep
“…we also bring light to all those
who have served through our
associations and foundation for over 90 years.”
them extremely busy, this exceptional group takes on additional leadership roles and projects that ensure a strong future for music education. Please know that each and every one of you shares a valuable contribution to decision-making and vision- ing that continue to serve our profession in a profound way. Without your time and dedication, the work truly would not be possible.
There are volunteers who currently serving in key roles on the respective executive and finance committees and they are thanked for their steadfast leadership and commit- ment to our students and educators across Wisconsin:
WSMA & WFSM
Steve Plank, Rich Appel, Rick Parks, Steve Michaels, Gregg Butler and Bernie Fiedler
WMEA
Brad Schneider, Will Janssen, Paul Budde, Erica Breitbarth and Chris Powers
This has been a year where executive com- mittees have grappled with complex issues of all sizes, and their service makes such a difference. As terms of service complete, thank you to Rich Appel (WSMA/WFSM) and Brad Schneider (WMEA) for your service as presidents during the past year.
April 2024
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