WSMA News x


WSMA Middle Level State Honors Project


Dedicated students from across the state are scheduled for early April auditions with aspirations to represent their school in this year’s Middle Level State Honors Band, Choir or Orchestra. Audition results will be emailed and posted in late May. The audition selection committee members include Douglas Arendt of John Long Middle School in Grafton (Middle Level State Honors chair), Mary Burczyk, retired, of Grafton (Middle Level State Honors chair-elect), Karen Zuidema, retired, of Marathon (choir coordinator), Griffin James of Baraboo High School (orchestra coordinator) and Cheryl Miracle of Glen Hills Middle School in Caledonia (band coordinator).


Special Thanks to the Audition Site Hosts:


Margaret Zeidel, Northstar Middle School (Eau Claire) Lisa Phalen, D.C. Everest Middle School (Wausau) Catherine Kuehn, Kettle Moraine Middle School (Dousman) Charles Schreader, Longfellow Middle School (La Crosse) Erin Barnard, Sun Prairie West High School (Sun Prairie) Julie Brown, Classical School (Appleton)


Matthew Maccari and Kristie Kruse, Lance Middle School (Kenosha)


WSMA Welcomes the Newest Middle Level State Honors Music Project Staff Members: Mary Burczyk, retired, of Grafton -


Middle Level State Honors Project Chair-Elect


Cheryl Miracle, Glen Hills Middle School (Glendale) - Band Coordinator


Karen Zuidema, retired, of Marathon - Choir Coordinator


Ijoister Pyle-Harris, Music Teacher Leader, Milwaukee Public Schools (Milwaukee) - Violin II Coach, Orchestra


Joshua Kimball, New Berlin Eisenhower High School (New Berlin) - String Bass Coach, Orchestra


Madeline O’Malley, Savanna Oaks Middle School (Verona) - Woodwind Coach, Orchestra


Dakota Mellen, East Elementary School (Baraboo) - Percussion Coach, Orchestra


x 2024 Student Composition Project


The 2024 WSMA Student Composition Project is currently un- derway, and submissions will be accepted until May 1. This year, the Student Composition Project is taking place as a feedback- only program. A panel of Wisconsin composers evaluate the original works, and students receive written feedback identifying strengths of the submission as well as offering suggestions for improvement in future compositions. Evaluations are returned to students within four weeks of their submission. As of this writing, WSMA has already received 15 student submissions!


Students in grades 4–12 may enter in one or more of the follow- ing categories:


Instrumental Solo Instrumental Ensemble Concert Band/Orchestra Instrumental Jazz Piano Solo


Piano Ensemble Vocal Solo


Vocal Ensemble Vocal Jazz Miscellaneous Arrangement


Digital Music Production Rap/Hip Hop


Please visit the Student Composition Project webpage on the WSMA website for more information, including additional composition resources for both students and teachers.


Wisconsin School Musician


Regan Schmidt, Racine Unified School District (Racine) - Saxophone Coach, Band


Tyler Haverson, Cameron High School (Cameron) - Trumpet Coach, Band


Rachel O’Donnell, Holmen Middle School (Holmen) - Trombone/Euphonium Coach, Band


Jean Enyeart, Menomonie Middle School (Menomonie) - Alto Coach, Choir


Todd Kruger, retired, of Wautoma - Bass Coach, Choir


Middle Level State Honors staff will meet at the Wisconsin Cen- ter for Music Education in Waunakee on Wednesday, July 17, for their traditional summer workday. The workday provides an opportunity to review music, review staff duties and expectations, prepare student mailings, preview the student event schedule and network with fellow staff members.


Rehearsals will be held on Friday, October 25, at Verona Area High School. The Middle Level State Honors Concerts will be held in the Performing Arts Center of Verona Area High School on Saturday, October 26.


For additional information on the WSMA Middle Level State Honors Project, please contact Alec Balge.


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