The annual festival featured students in grades 5-8 who were judged on performances of solos, small ensembles, and large ensembles.
About 1,200 students from 36 schools throughout Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota participated in Wayne State College’s Middle School Music Festival held March 11-12.
The festival was open to students in grades 5-8 for solos, small ensembles, and large ensembles. Each large ensemble performance was judged by two judges who provided a Superior or Excellent rating as well as written and verbal comments. Solos and small ensembles were judged by one judge, and those earning a Superior rating received a gold ribbon.
“I’m very proud of the successful festival, and the positive feedback we received from the music teachers in attendance has been tremendous,” said Michael Genslinger, event coordinator. “Thanks to all the adjudicators, Wayne State staff and student workers, and facilities staff for making this event possible and for making sure everything ran smoothly. All these people contributed greatly to making this event a positive musical experience for the students that performed.”
Genslinger also serves as an instructor of music and assistant director of bands at Wayne State.
Schools participating in the Middle School Music Festival were:
- Albion St. Michael’s School
- Allen Consolidated Schools
- Cedar Bluffs Public Schools
- Creighton Community Schools
- Elkhorn Valley (Tilden, Neb.)
- Fremont Bergan Catholic
- Fremont Johnson Crossing Academic Center
- Hartington Cedar Catholic
- Hartington-Newcastle Public School
- Homer Community Schools
- Laurel-Concord-Coleridge
- Lincoln Parkview Christian
- Norfolk Catholic
- Norfolk Christ Lutheran School
- Norfolk Junior High
- Oakland-Craig
- Palmer Public School
- Pender Public Schools
- Pierce Zion Lutheran School
- Plainview Public Schools
- Ponca Public Schools
- Sergeant Bluff-Luton (Iowa)
- Shelby-Rising City Public Schools
- South Sioux City Middle School
- Twin Loup (Sargent, Neb.)
- Twin River (Genoa, Neb.)
- Wakefield Community Schools
- Wayne Jr./Sr. High School
- Wayne St. Mary’s
- West Point-Beemer
- Winnebago Public School
- Winside Public School
- Wisner-Pilger Public Schools
- Wynot Public Schools
- Yankton Middle School (South Dakota)
- Yutan Elementary