DARLINGTON — Students from area schools will participate in a Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) sanctioned District Solo & Ensemble Music Festival hosted at Darlington Middle School on Saturday, March 9. During the festival, which is free and open to the public, students will perform vocal and instrumental solos, duets, trios and small ensembles before an adjudicator. 

WSMA music festivals annually attract thousands of students from middle, junior high and high schools throughout Wisconsin. The festival will draw students from a number of area schools, including Belmont High School, Belmont Middle School, Cuba City High School, Cuba City Middle School, Darlington Elementary/Middle School, Darlington High School, Fennimore High School, Fennimore Middle School, Iowa-Grant Elementary/Middle School, Iowa-Grant High School, Mineral Point High School, Mineral Point Middle School, Southwestern High School and Southwestern Middle School. Lynn Curry, music director from Darlington Elementary/Middle School, will be serving as the festival manager.

“WSMA is proud to support music educators as we work together to provide quality music education experiences for students. Our long-standing festival programs encourage well-rounded musicians who develop deeper understanding through performance preparation that culminates in comprehensive feedback from a qualified adjudicator.  Opportunities for reflection and consideration of new ideas is invaluable for musical growth,” said WSMA Executive Director Laurie Fellenz.

WSMA music festivals support school music programs as part of a comprehensive education by encouraging the study of quality music literature; motivating students to prepare and perform to the best of their abilities; improving students’ understanding of music literature and concepts (performance through understanding) and providing a performance assessment to improve individual and group achievement.

For more information on WSMA, go to www.wsmamusic.org.