This update is a coordinated effort by Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) and Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) to share 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.



Special Message from WMEA President Paul Budde:
Wisconsin State Music Conference Invitation





2021 Melvin F. Pontious Creative Sparks in Music Education Award

On behalf of the WMEA leadership, we are pleased to announce that the 2021 Melvin F. Pontious Creative Sparks in Music Education Award is being presented this year to ALL Wisconsin music educators for your COVID-19 Teaching and Learning innovation, creativity and dedication through a most complex year for all our students. 

Please join us at the President's Welcome Reception on Wednesday, October 27 from 7 - 10 p.m. at Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison, WI. During this special event, reconnect with and celebrate with your colleagues, enjoy a fabulous piano bar duo, food, drink and awards presented around 8 p.m.

More information will be forthcoming, but we want you to know that you have received this award. Congratulations!!! Be sure to register for conference before September 15 to receive the very best pricing.


Dane County - Indoor Wind Playing Now Allowed

Effective September 10, 2021, Dane County has a new emergency mask order that will now allow indoor playing of wind instruments with mitigation.

For the past few weeks, music teachers and students in Dane County were not able to make music indoors when a wind instrument was involved; due to successful advocacy and education of decision-makers, a new order was released this week. This situation was also causing an imminent issue for the 2021 WSMA State Honors Music Project.  With the updated mask order, plans can resume for this year's honors events.  

Thank you to everyone who advocated for students to play with mitigation methods that have been shown to significantly reduce risk - masking, bell covers, hygiene, air quality/exchange, distance and playing time. 


Professional Learning Opportunity 

An Evening With the WMEA Standards - A Four-Session Zoom Series
6 - 8:30 p.m. each date:

October 6 - Create 
November 3 - Performing
January 5 - Connect/Social Justice
February 2 - Respond

Come join members of the WMEA Standards Committee as they unpack one standard per evening. Sign up for all four ZOOM sessions while also earning a professional development certificate, or attend as many as possible. 
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).