NEWS BRIEFS FROM YOUR STATE MUSIC ASSOCIATIONS 

"Weekly Updates" is a coordinated effort by Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) and Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) to share a collection of timely news items that are relevant to both memberships while at the same time helping to limit the number of individual emails sent from each organization during Summer of 2020.


Wisconsin Music Educators Association


Wisconsin State Music Conference Postponed Until 2021
"Wisconsin State Virtual Music Conference" Announced for 2020
With safety in mind for all who are involved, WMEA has made the careful decision to postpone the Wisconsin State Music Conference until October 2021. Instead, WMEA, in collaboration with WSMA, will present the "2020 Wisconsin State Virtual Music Conference" -- a special professional learning and networking experience that will be made possible through technology, enabling music educators, exhibitors and others  to come together virtually amidst social distancing restrictions resulting from COVID-19. 

The "2020 Wisconsin State Virtual Music Conference" will deliver a unique experience by offering a one-week, all-virtual event (tentatively October 25-31) that includes a variety of meaningful outcomes, such as:
  • High-Quality Presentations
  • Networking & Connecting
  • Enhanced Sense of Community
  • Long-Term Impact on Student and Professional Learning With Shared Ideas
Through digital delivery of this event, WMEA and WSMA will bring the music education community together under the theme "Vision 2020: The Future is Now" to make a strong difference in the professional lives of music educators and the students they teach.

Watch for more details to come this summer!


Wisconsin School Music Association


WSMA State Honors Music Project Update
With safety of students and staff being a priority and looking at all factors that would play a role in an in-person performance amidst COVID-19, WSMA has decided to plan virtual events for Middle Level and High School State Honors participants. Events will be planned for late October in conjunction with the "2020 Wisconsin State Virtual Music Conference."

WSMA Partners in Make Music Wisconsin 
WSMA is proud to be a partner in Make Music Wisconsin,  part of  Make Music Day ,   the worldwide music celebration held each June 21, the summer solstice.  Make Music Wisconsin,   with 13 participating communities throughout the state this year,   is going virtual in 2020 on Sunday, June 21, due to the coronavirus pandemic. See full news release from Arts Wisconsin here. Also, be sure to visit makemusicday.org.


Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) is a non-profit service organization with member public and private schools. Students from member schools are eligible to participate in WSMA programs, such as District and State Music Festivals, Concert Festivals, State Honors Music Project, State Marching Band Championships and Student Composition Project. WSMA also owns and operates the Wisconsin Center for Music Education.

Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) is a membership association of music educators committed to providing quality music experiences for their students. Each year WMEA presents the Wisconsin State Music Conference (in collaboration with WSMA), leads advocacy for music education in Wisconsin, and offers professional development opportunities to support members. WMEA is the state affiliate of National Association for Music Education (NAfME) .