WACO to host IHSMA Festival

WAYLAND — The WACO High School Music Department will host the 2023 Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA) Solo and Ensemble Contest for 1A schools, Saturday, April 15

“Students from 1A schools in the area will be sharing their musical talents in hopes of earning the coveted Division I rating,” WACO Band and Choir Director Micah Peck said.

According to the IHSMA, these festivals, held throughout the state, give students an opportunity to showcase their talents and receiving rankings from qualified judges.

Judging requirements for this festival include knowledge of judging criteria alongside a minimum of five years of experience in music education.

Students will earn their rankings based on several factors, and IHSMA states that the following will play a significant role in how well the students do: natural ability, experience, instruction, practice, rehearsal time, technique, dedication, maturity, health, and, if they are an instrumentalist, the condition of their instrument.

Students participating in this festival will receive division ratings ranging from Division I-Division V.

The IHSMA defines these ratings as follows:

[ITALIC]Division I: A superior performance. Outstanding in nearly every detail. Nearly every detail – they are not perfect, but they should be as good as students for this particular event can perform.

[ITALIC]Division II: An excellent performance. An unusual performance in many respects but not worthy of the highest rating because of minor defects in performance and ineffective interpretation. Ineffective interpretation might be — dynamics are happening, they are just not musical.

Division III: An average performance. Shows accomplishment and promise, but is lacking in finesse, interpretation and the essential qualities necessary for the higher rating. Dynamics are no longer happening. The lack of finesse is obvious and many essential qualities simply are not present.

Division IV: A fair performance. Not worthy of a higher rating because of basic weaknesses in the fundamental factors of a good musical performance. A legitimate effort is being given; there simply is very little musical that is happening. Coordination is obviously lacking and, at times, the observer may wonder if they will finish together.

Division V: A poor performance. Obviously lacking practice, preparation, and observation of the necessities of a good festival performance. A legitimate effort is no longer being given.

To put on such a large well-respected event, the WACO Music Department asks the community for adult volunteers.

“With another opportunity to showcase our school and share how wonderful the district is, we will need some adult help to make sure the festival runs smoothly,” Peck wrote in a request for volunteers.

The Music Department seeks volunteers to act at Warmup Room Managers that will make sure performers move through warmups in a timely manner for both instrumental and vocal warm up rooms.

Junior high students may assist as runners for this event. They will return music, get drinks for judges, and gather the next performers from the warm up rooms.

They additionally need adult help as performance center room managers that will work with runners to introduce performers inside the rooms.

The rooms will also require adult timekeepers.

To assist the WACO Music Department in this endeavor reach out through the WACO Music Department Facebook page or by email to micah.peck@wacocsd.org or holly.reynor@wapellocsd.org

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com