News

Contact: Kevin Thays

Phone: 608-850-3566

2010 Launchpad Music Competition Kicks Off!

WAUNAKEE, Wis. (November 30, 2009) -- The statewide, battle of the bands competition for high school students is back again! Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) has kicked off the sixth year of Launchpad -- a first-of-its-kind alternative music competition designed to celebrate the reach of music education.

Launchpad provides another outlet for students to stretch the boundaries of their musical knowledge. “It’s amazing to see what these students can accomplish when they take what they’ve learned from a music teacher and apply it in their own way to making music -- a special connection is made,” said Michael George, WSMA executive director.

Here is how Launchpad works:

High school students who are in garage bands (i.e., rock, jazz, country, reggae, hip hop, etc.) outside of school are invited to submit an application (available through school music teachers and at LaunchpadWisconsin.org), plus an audition recording with three songs (originals or covers) by February 5, 2010. Bands can apply and submit recordings online through Broadjam via LaunchpadWisconsin.org. Note: At least one member of each band must be in a school music program and all members must be currently enrolled in a Wisconsin or WSMA member high school. In addition, one member from each band must identify a music teacher who has made a positive difference in their music education. Each band that applies will receive free web hosting for a year and a Broadjam Primo MoB package that is a $200 value.

Recordings, which do not need to be professional, are reviewed by a committee and narrowed down to a maximum of 15 bands in each of four Wisconsin regions. Selected bands then compete in a concert extravaganza held at a school in their region. The regional events (March 26 -- Madison area, hosted by Waunakee High School; April 9 -- Green Bay area, hosted by Appleton West High School; April 23 -- Eau Claire area, hosted by Chippewa Falls High School; May 7 -- Milwaukee area, hosted by Wauwatosa East High School) are open to the public.

The top three finalists from each region, plus a “wild card” band selected from Launchpad entries through a world-wide voting system of listeners on Broadjam.com, then compete June 12 in Madison for the grand prize: professional recording time, a 2010 Summerfest appearance and the Les Paul Launchpad Award.

WSMA has a strong history of music programs and services (i.e., state solo and ensemble music festivals, state honors music project, state marching band championships, etc.) that help youth achieve excellence through music. The organization is headquartered in the Wisconsin Center for Music Education – first of its kind in the nation. Like the center, Launchpad is a pioneering initiative to help extend the reach of music education in Wisconsin.

“Launchpad fits our mission of providing leadership and support for school music programs to ensure all students have opportunities which encourage lifelong involvement in music,” said George.

Launchpad is funded primarily by corporate sponsorships (statewide sponsors include Charter Communications, Madison Media Institute, Yamaha and Nicholas Family Foundation) and in-kind giving from people who believe in the benefits of music education and all that music has to offer. The program is produced by Dennis Graham Associates.

For more information on Launchpad, including participation details, video footage of last year’s finals competition, supporting sponsors, late-breaking news, etc., go to www.LaunchpadWisconsin.org. Also be sure to visit www.wsmamusic.org for more about WSMA.

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Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) is a service organization with more than 1,000 member public and private schools. Each year, more than 220,000 student participants take part in WSMA activities, including District and State Music Festivals, State Honors Music Project, State Marching Band Championships and Concert Festivals. WSMA, also owner and operator of the Wisconsin Center for Music Education, is governed by a board of directors made up of superintendents, principals and other officers from all over our state. WSMA believes music is a basic human need and that all children have the right to experience all that music offers them.