The Kenosha Unified School District announced on March 9 that it will host the Southeastern Wisconsin School Music Association District Solo and Ensemble Festival on Saturday, March 28, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tremper High School.
The festival is an opportunity for students from all KUSD secondary schools to participate in more than 800 individual and small-group adjudicated events. The event is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) and aims to highlight student achievement in music performance.
Events are judged by musicians certified through WSMA, with performances divided into Class A, B, and C based on difficulty level. Musical selections are chosen from an approved list developed by WSMA. Student performances are evaluated using a rubric that covers several musical sub-categories, with overall scores reflecting ratings in each area. All participants receive evaluations from judges, and those earning superior ratings in Class A who meet specific criteria may advance to the State Solo and Ensemble Festival scheduled for May 2 at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
The district said volunteer participation is essential for the success of the event. Community members interested in volunteering can sign up for various positions and shifts during the festival day.
Attendance at the event is free and open to the public. The program will feature a range of performances including duets, trios, madrigal groups, as well as alternative string, brass, woodwind, jazz, and percussion ensembles.
Indian Trail High School and Academy had the largest number of students among Kenosha County schools in the 2023-24 school year with a total enrollment of 2,001 students according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. This figure reflects a 1.1% increase from the previous year as reported by DPI.
