Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA)

10/14/2026

WSMA invites all to join us this weekend for the 41st Annual WSMA State Marching Band Championships! Purchase tickets before Saturday and save! (Ticket page link is in first comment)

In addition to an incredible line-up of over 40 Wisconsin high school marching bands, we will posthumously honor Douglas Greenhalgh with a WSMA Marching Band Hall of Fame award.

Celebrate with us - it is going to be an incredible day!

The ceremony will take place during the WSMA State Marching Band Championships at the UW-Whitewater Forrest Perkins Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17.

10/07/2026

NEW Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin installment has released!

Meet the Brueggen Family Band who have been performing Polka for 18 generations. They play German and Czech-style polka music along with a variety of country, big band, swing, and 1950s and 1960s music.

Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin is a collection of educational media resources for general music programs serving grades 4-8, and is a collaboration between Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) and PBS Wisconsin Education.

This multimedia collection includes video interviews with Wisconsin musicians, performances, audio files, and educator guides designed to help activate the media with learners.

The Brueggen family has been playing polka for 18 generations. Gary started when he was nine years old. Now he leads the band along with his wife and kids. Gary and his daughter Matti share what they love about playing polka and discuss the mysteries of the concertina.

09/17/2026

42nd Annual WSMA State Marching Band Championship apparel is now available for pre-order!

See comments for our official weblink - do not purchase through any other links to ensure it is a legitimate site you are reaching.

09/17/2026

Arts in Education Week - Did you know?

Creating, rehearsing and performing music repeatedly puts students in situations where their individual contribution may impact a collective outcome. Student agency grows when young people recognize, “I can influence what happens here.”

Along the way, they practice leadership—taking initiative, making decisions, listening to others and accepting responsibility for shared success.

Student agency matters because young people who learn that their choices and contributions have an impact are better prepared to take ownership of their learning, navigate challenges, work with others and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

09/15/2026

Wisconsin Arts in Education Week - Did you know?

Music education provides students with opportunities to make meaningful choices - not simply follow directions. Through creating, interpreting and performing, students learn that their decisions matter.

Learning through music-making gives students authentic opportunities to set goals, solve problems, evaluate their work, respond to feedback and try again.

09/15/2026

Arts in Education Week - Did you know?

Do our policies, schedules, resources and culture make it easier—or harder—for every student who wants to participate in music to do so? School leaders don't simply support music - they shape students' access to it.

Research links strong leadership to music teacher retention, sustained student participation, engagement and attendance. By protecting time, removing barriers, supporting educators and valuing music, leaders create opportunities for students to participate, belong and thrive.

Thank you to our school leaders who ensure access to a well-rounded education inclusive of music.

09/15/2026

Wisconsin Arts In Education Week - Did you know?

Music and the arts are part of a well-rounded education. The federal "Every Student Succeeds Act" recognizes music and the arts as components of a “well-rounded education.” This places arts education within the broader public responsibility to educate the whole child—not merely as an extracurricular activity.

Music education supports the development of:

🎶 Literacy and language-related skills
🎶 Attention and memory
🎶 Critical thinking
🎶 Creativity and problem-solving
🎶 Collaboration and communication
🎶 Perseverance and self-discipline

Our Wisconsin schools may describe the education offered as “well-rounded” if students have meaningful access to sequential instruction in music and the arts.

Source: Every Student Succeeds Act, 2015; Arts Education Data Project, National Arts Education Status Report 2019, published 2022.

09/13/2026

Wisconsin School Music Association is celebrating Arts in Education Week, September 13th - 19tb. Thank you to Governor Tony Evers for the official proclamation!

WSMA encourages all to raise awareness about the positive impact of music & arts education on students' creativity, problem-solving skills, and overall academic success. Additionally we will focus on advocating for equitable access to high quality instruction for all students and support for the work of music & arts educators.