Searching for the Best
Are you a talented Wisconsin high school musician who wants to learn more? The WSMA High School State Honors Music Project is just what you need! If you’re selected, you’ll attend a 3 1/2 day summer camp at UW-Green Bay in June with a nationally-known conductor and an incredible staff of talented Wisconsin music teachers. You’ll meet your Honors friends again in October to perform at the State Music Conference in Madison. "The Wisconsin Honors experience is truly among the most respected and admired in the country," noted Dr. Glenn Block, conductor of the 1994 and 2001 WSMA High School State Honors Orchestras. "The unique summer camp format, peerless administrative organization, support and expertise from section coaches, and musicianship and performances of the players make this a model program that is nationally recognized."

Augie Haas, a senior at Milwaukee Pius XI High School and a member of the 2001 WSMA State Honors Jazz Ensemble explains why he participated in Honors: "I did State Honors because I wanted a chance to play great music with the best musicians in the state. People are there to work because they care about the music…and everybody loves what they are doing."
Click here to see the High School Honors Timetable.

Why Audition?
Students are often fearful of an audition because there is more at stake in an audition than simply performing a solo or an ensemble. For most students, being invited to join one of the six WSMA High School State Honors Project’s ensembles is the desired outcome of an Honors audition. Matt Kasper, a senior from Oregon High School and a member of the 2000 and 2001 WSMA High School State Honors Orchestras explains his reasons for auditioning: "I decided to audition for the Honors Project because I wanted to see how much talent I had, and I how good I was compared to other students in the state. Plus, any audition you do is great practice." Melanie Flannery, a senior at Appleton East, has participated in the WSMA State Honors Project since middle school. "Honors is a haven for kids who love music. The music you make, the people you meet, and experiences you have…You owe it to yourself, as a musician, to audition." Click here for Audition Requirements, or preview and print the Honors application by clicking here: Audition Application. All applications must be postmarked on or before Friday, December 6, 2002. Late applications will not be accepted.

Here are the 2003 WSMA High School State Honors Audition dates and locations:

Click here for Audition Directions.

What About Sight-Reading?
Megan Good, a senior at Portage High School and a Soprano II in the 2001 WSMA High School State Honors Treble Choir, described sight-reading as one of the most difficult parts of the audition. "You get it then and there, and you’re expected to perform it," she said. "That’s something that shows your training and separates the boys from the men, per se." Megan also pointed out sight-reading is an important skill in its own right. "It’s easier to get singing with the whole group if we can pick it up quickly," she explained.

Order 2002 WSMA High School State Honors Triple CD
Hear the magic of the 2002 WSMA High School State Honors concerts on these state-of-the-art digital recordings. Click here for complete title listing and HS Honors CD Order Form.

Summer Camp Location
For Information about the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, site of the WSMA Honors Project Summer Camp, click here.

2003 WSMA High School State Honors Conductors
WSMA is proud to offer Honors participants the opportunity to rehearse and perform with nationally-known conductors in a professional setting. To learn more about the 2003 High School State Honors conductors, click here.

If you have additional questions, please Email Linda Petersen, Director of Programs at: lpetersn@wmea.com. We look forward to receiving your Honors application soon.