The programs of the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music, Wisconsin School Music Association and Wisconsin Music Educators Association support more than 80,000 music students and teachers each year. In addition, the Wisconsin Center for Music Education located in Waunakee serves music students, teachers and community members with diverse music education programs and resources.
 

Wisconsin Foundation for School Music Programs

• Rock 'n Stroll: Come join us on June 1st for the Second Annual Rock 'n Stoll 5K Run to benefit the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music. Registration now open!
   
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Wisconsin’s history is filled with musicians who have helped shape the future of music in Wisconsin, the country and the world. Through the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music looks to honor some of those musicians. Since its inception in 2004 three people have received this honor: Les Paul, Mike Leckrone, and Marvin Rabin. This honor ensures their legacy can remain at the Wisconsin Center for Music Education and their work in Wisconsin will continue to be celebrated.
   
• WSMA State Honors Music Project Endowment Fund: Our goal for this campaign is to make sure no student is turned away from the State Honors Music Project because of financial need.  To do this we are endowing all of the High School and Middle School State Honors Music Project chairs. This means funds we raise will help keep the State Honors Music Project alive for years to come regardless of the financial needs of the students involved.  Music supporters from all over the state have endowed their favorite instrument, vocal part or musical group to invest in the future of this program.
   
• Piano Bank: Through Wisconsin Foundation for School Music’s partnership with Billings Piano Gallery, pianos are placed in homes of students in South Central Wisconsin whose families cannot afford a piano.  These students are identified by community members whom they believe would profit from having a piano in their home but do not have the financial capabilities to do so. Students also receive piano lessons from the program while they have the piano in their house.  Through a gift to this program additional students can have the gift of music in their homes.
   
• Marie Endres Student Scholarship Fund: Marie Endres was a beloved performer, conductor and teacher in the Madison area who established a fund with the Madison Community Foundation to support private music study on stringed instruments for middle school students.  At the request of the donor, the majority of the support is intended for Dane County residents, which is where Marie Endres lived and worked for many years. Students in other parts of Wisconsin are also eligible.
   

Wisconsin Center for Music Education

• Wisconsin Center for Music Education: The Center uses diverse music education programs and resources to serve music teachers, students and community members. Housed in Waunakee, WI the Wisconsin Center for Music Education is a catalyst for innovation and growth of music and arts education throughout the state. The Wisconsin Center for Music Education houses the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music, Wisconsin School Music Association, and Wisconsin Music Educators Association.  The hub provides a state resource unlike any other in the nation and helps enhance music and music education in the state.
   
• Resources, Services and Other Information: The Wisconsin Center for Music Education houses several resources to help further music education. Teachers, students and community members are welcome to come in and use the Richard and Nancy Wolf Resource Center, the Whitehouse of Music Recording Studio or rent one of the many conference rooms the Center has to offer.
   

Wisconsin School Music Association Programs

• State Honors Music Project: Started in 1967, this program provides musically talented students with the opportunity to rehearse and perform with the nation's finest conductors in a professional setting. Selected through a rigorous audition process, students are challenged to perform at their musical best during rehearsals and performances.
   
• State Marching Band Championships: Held in October, the Marching Band Championships offers one of the few truly competitive activities WSMA offers. Bands gather on a Saturday in the Fall to perform and compete in a number of different categories. This popular event concludes with an evening Awards Ceremony recognizing the top performing groups in each class, as well as Caption Awards.
   
• Launchpad Wisconsin: Launchpad is a statewide, alternative music competition for Wisconsin high school students in bands formed outside of the traditional music classroom setting. Groups compete against their peers in a regional concert extravaganza. Students also have the opportunity to receive feedback from local professionals from the music business who act as judges and adjudicators.  The top three finalists from each region then compete in Madison for the grand prize: free studio recording time in Madison, a Summerfest appearance and the Les Paul Launchpad Award. 
   
• Student Composition Project: Students in grades 5-12 submit original compositions in two divisions separated by age with several different musical categories. The compositions are critiqued by Wisconsin composers and the top winner in each division is awarded a scholarship to study with a professional composer.
   

Wisconsin Music Educators Association Programs

• Wisconsin Student Listening Project: The Listening Project provides opportunities for students in grades 4, 5 and 6 to learn about different musical styles, forms, and timbres through listening. Teachers also have the opportunity to enroll their students in a Listening Project festival in the spring.
   
• Wisconsin Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance: The CMP program provides training to equip teachers with planning tools to enhance students’ classroom experience.  Through this training teachers learn how to teach music on a deeper level and connect music to all aspects of their students’ education. 

If you would like to help support any of our programs please consider Donating online today.  Please contact Development Associate Mackenzie Pitterle at foundation@wsmamusic.org for more information regarding our programs.