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


NAfME National Leadership Assembly - June 23-25
WMEA leadership joins leaders from other states virtually this week at the NAfME Reimagined National Leadership Assembly. The event brings together state presidents, executives, editors, collegiates, and others in a virtual environment that includes a variety of meetings, breakout sessions (strategic planning, making change and building capacity infrastructure), a Collegiate Advocacy Summit and NAfME National Rally for Music Education. Learn all about NAfME here .

CMP Summer Virtual Gathering - August 12 and 13
The Wisconsin Comprehensive Musicianship Through Performance (CMP) committee aims to support teachers and students as they adjust to the changes in music classrooms for the upcoming school year. Attend the summer virtual gathering to learn more about or review the CMP model, focus on quality music instruction regardless of the platform used, and strengthen the use of affective outcomes to better engage and connect with students. Learn more here.



Wisconsin School Music Association


WSMA High School State Honors Virtual Camp
The WSMA High School State Honors Virtual Camp is in progress! Each day offers a variety of opportunities for students to engage through interactivity.  Today, band students met Aerodynamics composer Dr. David Gillingham and asked questions about his work. The information proved valuable as they continue to work with the piece to find their interpretation of it. Jazz ensemble students interacted with saxophonist and director of San Francisco Conservatory of Music's jazz program Jason Hainsworth, who answered students' questions and shared his perspectives on composition. Hainsworth emphasized the importance of finding master teachers on any chosen career path. For the mixed choir students, " We Can Mend the Sky" composer Jake Runestad pointed to the community spirit of his Somali proverb-inspired piece for inspiration when singing together: "In a choir, we have to equalize our voices to be more powerful and beautiful. I hear you and then will elevate you, lifting each other up." Read the WSMA High School State Honors Virtual Camp news release here.

Virtual Ensembles - Creating Music From a Distance - July 16 and 17
Join Eric Anderson, Anthony Cao and Molly Petroff as they share how they have not only brought their large ensembles together, but also helped small groups of students collaborate through technology. The workshop will focus on free software that is available to everyone with a computer as well as sharing other paid platforms depending on educator interest and available resources. Learn more here.

WSMA is proud to present professional learning workshops in collaboration with WMEA.
Due to COVID-19, workshops will be hosted virtually for summer 2020.  Based on educator feedback, there are multiple workshops planned that address needs like technology, hip-hop curriculum, standards, advocacy, and there are a few more in the works. Check in each week at this link to view all the summer opportunities for Wisconsin music educators.


Other News...

The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Broadjam, Capital City Theatre and Mirshak Artists Management are sponsoring the first annual Wisconsin Singer of the Year Vocal Competition completely online. This competition, which is open to all solo voices and genres of music, includes both a high school and professional division. Participants must live or go to school currently in Wisconsin. Two video selections and $25 entrance fee are required. Deadline to apply is August 1. Apply here.

The Complete Singer Academy -  July 20 - August 7
The Complete Singer Academy will include Grammy Award and National Arts Award Winner George Shirley, Professor of Voice at Utah University Dr. Robert Breault, Professor of Voice at The University of Houston Dr. Timothy Jones, German Agent Therese Renick, Broadjam Owner Roy Elkins, Wellness Coach Jane Mirshak and New York Classical Singing Agent Dr. Robert Mirshak. Over 30 hours of online instruction with each singer and the opportunity to sing for at least one masterclass by academy faculty. The final Project is to make an online audition package. Classes include learning about the music business, music in film and television, acting, how to deal with stress, audition techniques and more!  To view the complete schedule and to sign up click here.  


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) .