Launchpad Competition Comes To Madison Region March 20, 2009
Source: LaunchpadLocation: Waunakee, WI
Area Bands Selected to Participate in Regional Competition at Waunakee High School
The countdown continues for Launchpad – a unique, statewide alternative music competition for high school students! Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) just selected fifteen (15) area garage bands to take the stage and compete in a regional concert extravaganza at Waunakee High School on Friday March 20 at 4 p.m. The event, which is open to the public for $6 admission, is designed to celebrate the reach of music education.
“Launchpad provides a great platform for students to take what they’ve learned in and outside the music classroom and apply it in their own way,” said Kevin Thays, WSMA director of communications. At least one member of each band must be in a school music program and all members must be currently enrolled in a Wisconsin school to qualify.
The competing bands, selected from more than 80+ statewide entries, include:
4:00 p.m. Populist Revolt - Madison East High School (Rock)
4:25 p.m. Stereocolor - Glacier Creek MS/Middleton High School (Pop/Reggae Rock)
4:50 p.m. Roman Grecos - Janesville Craig High School (Ska/Jazz)
5:15 p.m. The Desired Bonus - Delevan Darien High School (Ska/Punk/Alternative)
5:40 p.m. Skepsis - Monona Grove/LaFollette High Schools (Rock)
6:05 p.m. The Flow Banditz and the Organics - Middleton High School (Hip Hop/Funk)
6:30 p.m. Sleeping in the Stereo – St Maria Goretti MS/Madison West HS (Alternative)
6:55 p.m. Aspects of Eternity - Montello High School (Rock/Metal/Experimental)
7:20 p.m. Green County Border Patrol - Oregon High School (Garage Rock)
7:45 p.m. Shot 150 – Southwestern WI (Hazel Green) High School – (Rock)
8:10 p.m. Phaze 2 - Sun Prairie High School (Rock)
8:35 p.m. Pillbox 49 - Orfordville Parkview High School (Rock)
9:00 p.m. The Show - Arrowhead (Hartland)/ Luther Prep (Watertown) High Schools (Rock)
9:25 p.m. Village Idiot - Milton Middle School & High School (Rock)
9:50 p.m. Blindub - Middleton High School (Rock)
The bands are each slotted to play the three songs (covers or originals in virtually any style) from their audition recordings. They will be evaluated by music industry professionals on expression and creativity (dynamics, ability to connect with audience/inspire enthusiasm), technique (intonation, rhythmic clarity, dexterity, vocal clarity/diction), time (ability to play in sync and “feel” style together), blend (melody, inner notes, bass, listening) and synergy (overall effect, the “wow” factor). In addition to the written evaluations, this year’s bands will receive a private verbal critique.
The top three bands in each of the four statewide regional competitions (March 20 – Waunakee High School; April 24 – Chippewa Falls High School; May 8 – Wauwatosa East High School; May 15 – Appleton West High School) will advance to the state finals on June 20 in Madison. The bands will compete for the state title and grand prize package: a professional recording session in Madison, a 2009 Summerfest gig on July 4 and the Les Paul Launchpad Award.
WSMA has a strong history of providing 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 and located in Waunakee. Like the center, Launchpad is a pioneering initiative to help extend the reach of music education in Wisconsin.
Launchpad is funded by WSMA, corporate sponsorships and in-kind giving from people who believe in the benefits of music education and all that music has to offer. Sponsors for the Madison regional competition include Charter Communications, Madison Media Institute, Nicholas Family Foundation, SONY, Isthmus, Knupp & Watson, Maximum Ink, WJJO FM – 94.1, WPS Health Insurance, WMSN FOX 47, Yamaha, WTDY AM (1670 The Pulse), WJQM FM (Jamz 93.1), Culver’s, Courtier Foundation, Sticha Brothers Sound, Ward-Brodt Music Mall, Shell Lake Arts Center, Shure, Daisy Rock Guitars and Tall Guy Productions. The program is produced by Dennis Graham Associates.
“We have some very talented bands looking to perform in this Launchpad regional competition and cheering on the bands is a great way to show support for music and celebrate this one of a kind garage band competition that highlights the many ways that students can expand their musical skills,” said producer Dennis Graham.
For more information on Launchpad, including participation details, video footage of last year’s finals competition, all supporting sponsors, late-breaking news, etc., go to www.LaunchpadWisconsin.org. Also be sure to visit www.wsmamusic.org for more about WSMA.
Launchpad 2008 winners Alton Kelly
