State Marching Band Championships

media release: More than 30 high school bands from across the state will march on the UW-Whitewater campus Saturday, October 14 for the 38th annual Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Marching Band Championships at Forrest Perkins Stadium, starting at 11:45 a.m. Click here for schedule.

“The WSMA State Marching Band Championships bring thousands of people together, promoting excellence and pride along with a spirit of support and enthusiasm for our marching band youth and their educators,” said Laurie Fellenz, WSMA executive director.

The WSMA State Marching Band Championships are divided into four entry classes (A, AA, AAA and AAAA) determined by total school enrollment.  Each band is allowed on the field a maximum of 15 minutes (including entry, performance and exit). A panel of eight judges evaluates bands in five areas: music performance, visual performance, general effect, percussion and color guard. Bands receive verbal commentary recorded in real time during their performance. Bands have a variety of entry options. While the majority of bands march in a competitive class, they may also choose Comments Only (no ratings given or announced), Non-Competitive (numbered score is given but not announced) or Festival Class (award divisions I-IV are given similar to WSMA’s renowned Concert Festival rating system).  In each competitive class, “A” through “AAAA,” awards for Best Percussion, Best Musical Presentation, Best Visual Presentation and Best Color Guard are presented, in addition to division awards and the top three awards in each class.

At this year’s championships Susan Halloway (1953-2015) will be officially inducted into the WSMA Marching Band Hall of Fame, which is intended to recognize the contributions made by individuals to the marching activity in Wisconsin. 

Known for her dedicated work as a music educator, a pioneer in the marching arts, and a beloved mentor and friend, Susan Halloway leaves behind a lasting legacy. Over the course of her life, her contributions and efforts paved the way for many others in the marching community. She spent her entire 33-year teaching career at Sauk Prairie High School from 1979 until her retirement in 2012. At Sauk Prairie, Halloway started the competitive marching program which has participated annually in the WSMA State Marching Band Championships from 1985 to present. During that span, Sauk Prairie regularly finished in the top three places and earned 1st place in Class C in 1991. Other performances of note with the Sauk Prairie High School band include the St. Petersburg Festival of States, the 1992 Clinton/Gore presidential campaign rally at the state capitol rotunda and the 2008 Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago.

Halloway was a part of history as a trailblazer for women participating in the marching arts. She was a role model and pioneer in the marching arts by serving as a staff member for the all-female corps, the CapitolAires. The CapitolAires’ mission included providing young women with the same experiences as the all-male corps. As a CapitolAires staff member, Halloway toured the United States extensively to participate in several competitions such as the Marion Open, Boston Open, Drum Corps Midwest and Drum Corps International including the 1st DCI Championships held at UW-Whitewater.

Family, friends and community members are invited to attend the 2023 WSMA State Marching Band Championships.  Tickets $16 online ($20 at gate) for adults; $8 online ($10 at gate) for students 18 and under, senior citizens and undergraduate college students with valid college ID.  Children five and under, free admission. For more information, including post-event results, visit wsmamusic.org.