About 700 Students Attend WSC's 2024 Middle School Music Festival

About 700 students from 31 schools in Nebraska and South Dakota participated in Wayne State College’s Middle School Music Festival held March 5-6.

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 of the adjudicators, Wayne State staff and student workers, and facilities staff for making this event possible and for making sure everything ran smoothly. All of 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:

Allen Consolidated Schools
Bennington Middle School and Bennington South Middle School (combined)
Clarkson Public Schools
Elkhorn Valley (Tilden)
Emerson-Hubbard Public Schools
Fremont Bergan Catholic Middle School
Fremont Middle School
Fremont Johnson Crossing Academic Center
Hartington-Newcastle Public School
Homer Community Schools
Homeschool (Norfolk)
Laurel-Concord-Coleridge
Norfolk Junior High
Osceola Public Schools
Palmer Public School
Parkview Christian (Lincoln)
Pender Public Schools
Pierce Zion Lutheran School
Plainview Public Schools
Ponca Public Schools
Schuyler Middle School
Stanton
Twin River (Genoa)
Wakefield Community Schools
Wayne Community Schools
Wayne St. Mary’s
West Point-Beemer
Winnebago Public School
Winside Public School
Wisner-Pilger Public Schools
Yankton Middle School (S.D.)