2026 March Music Journal

NFHS Music Journal Association Report: Wisconsin School Music Association

A Legacy of Centering Students Through Learning and Growth Opportunities

By WSMA Staff

In the heart of America’s Dairyland (sorry California – we still stake claim) is a nearly century-young 501(c)(3) that prides itself on empowering youth to achieve excellence through meaningful music ed opportunities. Meet our organization – Wisconsin School Music Association (aka – “WSMA”) – where actually nothing is cheesy about what we do.

Young at Heart

Founded in 1932, WSMA is 90-plus years “youthful.” The association, headquartered at the Wisconsin Center for Music Education (which it owns and operates), in Waunakee, reaches musical youth in all parts of the state (and beyond). More than 100,000 students annually participate in the organization’s activities through their school’s membership in WSMA, which also serves more than 3,500 music educators and school administrators who dedicate themselves to the best possible education of these youth. 

We Believe!

WSMA dreams of a reality where in Wisconsin schools and communities, all have access to enriching musical opportunities that ensure a lifetime of involvement and enjoyment. This vision fuels our passion for the cause and is shared throughout the entire WSMA organization – our board of directors, office team, member-school teachers and administrators, volunteers and other stakeholders who really are the association, and work to carry out its mission. Not only do we believe dreams come true through working together on behalf of our youth, we are driven by common values and beliefs that run deep:

Our Values:

Growth – We embrace continuous improvement in music education, organizational strength and individual potential.
Learning – We foster curiosity and creativity by cultivating a core music curriculum that helps students and educators thrive in and beyond the classroom.
Engagement – We build meaningful relationships with schools, educators, communities, and allies to advance access and excellence in music education. 

Our Beliefs:

• Music is a human need.

• The study of music develops life skills and is a vital part of every student’s education.

• Valuable music curriculum involves creating, performing, responding and connecting through music.

• An effective music program considers the progression of musical learning for students at every level.

• Participation in school music encourages lifelong learning, involvement and appreciation of music.

• The study of music develops creativity, self-expression, discipline and teamwork.

• Music education opens doors and helps people become well-rounded, reflective members of society. 

Where the Music Gets Real

All of what you’ve read so far sounds pretty good, right? Probably reminiscent of what other organizations tout in their own way to bolster their brand and likeability? Well, WSMA is the “real deal” when it comes to centering youth in all we do. It’s not some plan on a shelf that gets dusted off to impress the press, or please the board – Rather, there is alignment behind our “students first” philosophy. And we have some examples of how it gets real…

• In-Person Auditions: With today’s technology, virtual auditions have gained popularity for efficiency, but through cyberspace in a world already overwhelming youth with screentime, some important things may get lost. There is nothing like a face-to-face audition with an adjudicator, where preparation is key for rising to the challenge on “first take.” More than 2,500 middle and high school students audition each year for the WSMA State Honors Music Project. The in-person auditions offer students a real-life opportunity of preparation, learning and growth, which translates to all walks of life. Beyond the audition, WSMA offers an Ensemble Class for middle level students on the same day as their audition, regardless of whether they are selected, to provide an additional learning opportunity for all. High school musicians who are selected in the State Honors Music Project participate in a three-day summer camp and fall multi-day experience that culminates in a performance marking the highest point of the project, where members of the ensembles take all they’ve learned and apply it in a performance setting. 

• Virtual Music Festival: Despite what you’ve just read, we “never say never” when virtual access is needed to serve our youth as the next-best option. This happened during the COVID pandemic when organizations were forced to make the difficult decision of either shutting in place, or using every resource available to continue working toward their missions. WSMA chose the latter because our youth needed us more than ever. In the matter of one month, WSMA shifted its in-person State Solo & Ensemble Festivals to the development of a digital platform alternative that resulted in nearly 25,000 student video performance submissions in 2020-2021 that were individually adjudicated providing educational feedback for continued growth at an ever-critical time.

• Festivals vs. Contests: Our philosophy of centering youth with a focus on education is the reason our music “festivals” shifted away from the term “contests” many years ago. While it’s true that our youth are always reaching for a higher level of accomplishment through music education, it is development focused on personal growth that’s the driver, not competing with others. WSMA offers a variety of ways for students to receive ratings for solos and ensembles, or perform without a rating for valuable feedback. WSMA centers the expertise of music educators in deciding what is best for the students they serve in Wisconsin classrooms. It’s about meeting students where they are at any given moment to provide a platform for learning and growth. While WSMA Solo & Ensemble medals are a recognizable part of our history through the generations, the awards have always been focused on recognizing achievement versus competition.

• Marching Arts: Wisconsin’s marching band community represents one of the most vibrant and collaborative areas of music education in the state. Across communities of every size, marching bands bring students, educators, families and audiences together through performances that celebrate musical excellence, creativity and school pride. Participating music educators share a strong culture of collaboration, supporting one another to strengthen programs and create meaningful experiences for students. To support educators new to directing marching arts, the WSMA marching band committee offers a mentoring program that connects newer directors with experienced colleagues.  Through this network, teachers receive practical guidance on program design, rehearsal planning, adjudication preparation and student engagement while building foundational relationships. Participation in our WSMA State Marching Band Championships has grown significantly, with a 25% increase in the number of bands participating since 2019. This event also promotes accessibility through an exceptional needs communication process that allows directors to share relevant information with judges, helping ensure that all students are welcomed and supported in the competitive marching arts experience.

• Creativity and Self-Expression: That’s where the WSMA Student Composition Project comes into play – a program at the heart of creativity, encouraging young musicians to artistically take what they are learning through music making in their classrooms or lessons and apply it in their own way through original music compositions. Included in both the Wisconsin and National Standards for Arts Education, composition is a natural extension of the creativity mode of music. So, what does all this mean to our young musicians?… An opportunity to spread their wings and explore their creative side by composing music through a program that recognizes and supports their efforts. 

Extending the Reach of Music Education

At the core of its existence is a steadfast commitment to the mission: WSMA provides statewide music programs and resources, offers leadership and support for school music education-based experiences, and advances music as an integral part of school and community life. At the center of it all – OUR YOUTH. Learn more about WSMA at wsmamusic.org.

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