2019 WSMA State Honors Concerts
10/25/19 | 56m 47s | Rating: NR
The Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Honors Music Project provides musically talented youth from all corners of our state the opportunity to rehearse and perform with nationally-recognized conductors in a professional and highly disciplined setting. These virtual performances highlight the talent, dedication and spirit of these gifted performers.
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2019 WSMA State Honors Concerts
Announcer
The following program is a PBS Wisconsin original production. You know, everybody says, "Kids these days." "Oh, kids these days... Oh, these kids these days,"
mock grumbling
Announcer
Well, I give you kids these days.
John Oelrich
One and two.
"Kwela Kwela"
John Oelrich
Du du tu du du tu du du
Ben Copeland
It's really an experience that you can only get here.
Gracie Kromke
Musicians from all over the state come together and bring their own talents. Everyone is so encouraging, so supportive.
Taja Wright
It's awesome!
Gracieann Heim
So fun.
Riley Brown
It's a lot of work but it's a lot of fun work. Du du tu du du tu du du
Gracie Kromke
I've been challenged beyond what I could have ever been challenged before.
Gary Lewis
It's remarkable, the level of artistry that they have achieved at such a young age.
Braden Cooper
All of these singers are so passionate and are so good.
Isabella Ybarra
It's an amazing experience. I look forward to it every year.
Gracieann Heim
Honestly, the best thing I've ever done in my life.
John Oelrich
They are ready. More than ready.
Announcer
The 2019 WSMA High School State Honors Concerts was funded, in part, by A. Paul Jones Charitable Trust, Focus Fund for Young Performers, and Friends of Wisconsin Public Television.
Band performs "Entry March of Boyars" by Johan Halvorsen
traditional Slavic song
clarinet solo
rousing and confident tone with tempo of a march
Announcer
percussion solo
Announcer
cheers and applause
Zachary Durlam
If I'm only happy in music when I'm at the mountain-top moments, when it's an amazing choir and they sound fantastic-- if that's the only way I can be happy, teaching probably isn't the right profession for me because that's the end. Oh, my gosh, it sounds so good. But I feel like you're living on the front edge of the beat. Let's go one more time from the beginning. Teaching is all about the beginning and the middle. The process of getting from the beginning to that point of developing musicians, of developing skills, of learning a piece from the beginning through the end. And when I realized how much I loved that process, I think that was when I knew I was in the right career.
Mixed Choir performs "Indodana" (The Son) a cappella
singing traditional South African hymn in isiXhosa
Zachary Durlam
Ngob'umthatile [The Lord) Umtwana wakho (has taken his son) Uhlale nathi (who lived amongst us) Hololo ho (represents crying) Helele he (represents crying) Ngob'umthatile Umtwana wakho Uhlale nathi eh Hololo lo Helele le Indodana (The son) Ka nkulunkulu (of the Lord God) Bayi'bethelela (was crucified) Hololo Helele Indodana ( Zjem zja baba) Ah Ka nkulunkulu ( Oh) Bayi'bethelela Hololo Helele Oh, Baba Oh, Baba Baba, Baba Jehovah ah Jehovah ( Ah, ho lo lo Ho le le le He) Oh, Baba Oh, Baba Baba Baba Jehovah Jehovah! Ngob'umthatile le Umtwana wakho Uhlale nathi eh Hololo Helele Indodana ( Zjem zja baba) Ka nkulunkulu Bayi'bethelela Hololo Helele
Mixed Choir sings "Unclouded Day" J.K. Alwood, arranged by Shawn Kirchner
rousing American folk tune
Zachary Durlam
Oh, they tell me of a home far beyond the skies They tell me of a home far away And they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise Oh, they tell me of an unclouded day Oh, the land of cloudless day Oh, the land of an unclouded sky Oh, they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise Oh, they tell me of an unclouded day They tell me of a home They tell me of a home They tell me of a home where my friends have gone They tell me of a land far away Where the tree of life in eternal bloom Sheds its fragrance through the unclouded day Oh, the land of cloudless day Oh, the land of an unclouded sky Oh, they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise Oh, they tell me of an unclouded day They tell me of a King in His beauty there They tell me that mine eyes shall behold They tell me of a King in His beauty there Where He sits on the throne that is whiter than snow In the city that is made of gold Oh, the land of cloudless day Oh, the land of an unclouded sky Oh, they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise Oh, they tell me of an unclouded day Oh, the land of cloudless day Oh, the land of Oh, the land of an unclouded sky Oh, they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise Oh, they tell me of an unclouded day
cheers and applause
Gary Lewis
One of the things that I think is so beautiful about music and music-making is the collaborative nature of it, the teamwork that it brings and the empathy that it teaches. Music is better equipped to make us more empathic human beings than just about any other activity. This is harder than it looks, this last bit, and it's gonna be the key to success. It's really easy when you're faced with significant technical challenges, which this music certainly presents, it's easy to focus on just executing your part. But great music making comes only when the musicians rise above that, rise above the technical challenges and become aware of how what they're doing, works with the whole. Yeah. Terrific, violins. How about a shuffle for these guys? That was rock solid.
Orchestra performs "Jupiter" from The Planets by Gustav Holst
rousing string music
colorful, varied, exuberant
Gary Lewis
rousing ending
cheers and applause
Angela Broeker
There's a great discipline that goes into any kind of ensemble music making. There's a tremendous amount of listening that goes on. Yeah, I saw the little panicked look on your face. They learn to value, they learn to distinguish. They learn to be open and not judgmental. A true part of a community. What's this piece gonna be like? How do I want the audience to receive this piece? And when you come to the cut-off at the end of the piece, and everybody looks around like, "Wow, did we just do that? Did we just achieve that level of music making?" Then you think, "Yeah, we're ready to go out and share."
Treble Choir performs "Bo Yavo Haboker" by Josef Hadar
singing in Hebrew
Angela Broeker
Bo yavo haboker (Morning comes so brightly) Zakh v'chakhlili (clear and fresh today) Mishehu yimtza li (Someone daily helps me) Or biktzei darki (Illuminate my way)
drumbeat begins
Angela Broeker
Ma n'vakeish baderekh, ma? (What shall we ask while walking) Nomar? (On the way?) Ma n'vakeish b'sheket (What should we ask for quietly?) Ma? (What?) Rak sheyorik hadeshe (Just that the grass will stay green) Rak shetizrach hashemesh (Just that the sun keeps shining) Uv'orah lituf rakh, li vlakh (And with its light will strike us, you and me) Rak sheyorik hadeshe (Just that the grass will stay green) Rak shetizrach hashemesh (Just that the sun keeps shining) Uv'orah lituf rakh lakh (And with its light will strike us, you and me) Yeled t'khol einayim (Blue-eyed little child) Li yiftach haor (Bring me light today) B'einav hash'tayim (With your starry two eyes) Li yomar hakol (Help me find my way)
melodic and flowing, with tempo changes
Angela Broeker
Ma n'vakeish baderekh (What shall we ask while walking) Ma nomar (On the way?) Ma n'vakeish b'sheket (What shall we ask while walking) Ma? (What?) Rak sheyorik hadeshe (Just that the grass will stay green) Rak shetizrach hashemesh (Just that the sun keeps shining) Uv'orah lituf rakh li vlakh (And with its light will stroke us, you and me) Rak sheyorik hadeshe (Just that the grass will stay green) Rak shetizrach hashemesh (Just that the sun keeps shining) Uv'orah lituf rakh lakh (And with its light will stroke just you) Mishehu yimtza li (Someone let me know) Keshet l'vana (A rainbow white as snow) U'mitokh hakeshet (From inside that rainbow) Tzlil meitar nifla (A wondrous tone will grow)
solemn piano melody
cheers and applause
Angela Broeker
There's a piece called Warrior that we're doing that tells about young women finding their voice as they age. Yes, last one, go. The piece was written in reaction to an incident in Canada where violence had been done-- perpetrated toward a woman. And you can see through the text of the song and what we're bringing to the song in terms of our gesture and movement, you're seeing how the singers are gaining their own personal voice, and how they're using that personal voice in order to make the society of women stronger and safer. And I think the people in our ensemble connected most deeply with that text, and we're most excited about singing that piece.
Treble Choir sings a cappella "Warrior" by Kim Baryluk
Angela Broeker
I was a shy and lonely girl With the heavens in my eyes And as I walked along the lane I heard the echoes of her cries I cannot fight I cannot a warrior be It's not my nature nor my teaching It is the womanhood in me I was a lost and
stomp
Angela Broeker
angry youth There were no tears in my eyes I saw no justice in my world Only the echoes of her cries I cannot fight I cannot a warrior be It's not my nature nor my teaching It is the womanhood in me I am an older woman now And I will heed my own cries And I will a fierce warrior be Til not another woman dies I can
stomp
Angela Broeker
and will fight I can
stomp
Angela Broeker
and will fight I can
stomp
Angela Broeker
and will a warrior be It is my nature and my duty It is the womanhood in me I can
stomp
Angela Broeker
and will fight I can
stomp
Angela Broeker
and will fight I can
stomp
Angela Broeker
and will a warrior be It is my nature and my duty It is the sisterhood in me
cheers and applause
John Oelrich
I think the arts, in general, are a fundamental part about what makes us human. And it makes us human because
laughs
John Oelrich
it allows us to express something. I'm so thrilled to be back here with all of you to make this music. Sometimes it's difficult to put into words how you feel. But you could play it or you could sing it. Here we go. And so, I think that, maybe more than anything, the arts are important because it helps us teach students how to feel and to be vulnerable with each other. Because you can't get up on a stage, either as a soloist or in an ensemble, and not give something of yourself. You give a little piece every time you perform; you give a little piece of yourself. And that takes courage and vulnerability and hard work.
final note slowly fades out
John Oelrich
That's my band.
Band performs "Magnolia Star" by Steve Danyew
upbeat blues piece
composed with unusual time signatures, rhythms
sparkling, energetic tone
John Oelrich
"Magnolia Star" continues
John Oelrich
cheers and applause
Zachary Durlam
I don't want this kind of an experience to just impact the hundred students in that room. I want them to be a light that shines bright leaving here, that then spreads out to the other students that they encounter. Ready?
singing
Zachary Durlam
And I think that's why the Honors project exists. Not just to recognize the elite students and pluck them out and reward them. But rather, to gather those students together, build them up to energize them and invigorate them, and then to send them back where they can really populate and energize and invigorate their own programs at home.
Mixed Choir singing "Balleilakka" in imitation of the Tamil language
Zachary Durlam
Sooriyano chandhirano yaarivano sattunnu sollu Sera paandiya sooranum ivano sollu, sollu sattunnu sollu Sooriyano chandhirano yaarivano sattunnu sollu Sera paandiya sooranum ivano sollu, sollu sattunnu sollu Paaradi, paaradi yaaradi ivano Paaigira siruthayin kaaladi ivano Kooradi kooradi yaaradi ivano Kettathai pattena suttidum sivano Chan, chan, chan, chan, chan, chan, chan Aey, balleilakka, balleilakka sale thukka maduraikka Madrasukka thiruchikka thiruthanikkaa Aey, balleilakka, balleilakka ottu motha makkalukka Anna Vandhaa Tamil Nadu America! Kaaviri aarum kai kuthal arisiyum maranthu poguma? Oh, thaavani pengalum thoothu vidum kangalum tholainthu poguma? Namma kalathu medu (Ah, ah) Kamma karai karisai kaadu (Oo, oo) Semman alli thelikum roa du (Oh, oh, oh) Aey, aey, aey! Balleilakka, balleilakka sale thukka maduraikka Madrasukka thiruchikka thiruthanikkaa Aey, balleilakka, balleilakka ottu motha makkalukka Anna Vandhaa Tamil Nadu America! Kaaviri aarum kai kuthal arisiyum maranthu poguma? Oh, thaavani pengalum thoothu vidum kangalum tholainthu poguma? Namma kalathu medu (Ah, ah) Kamma karai karisai kaadu (Oo, oo) Semman alli thelikum roa du (Oh, oh, oh) Aey, aey Sadugudu, sadugudu, sadugudu, sadugudu Sadugudu, sadugudu, sadugudu, sadugudu Sadugudu, sadugudu aadiya marathadi Padu, padu paduvena porthiya pulevi Thoda, thoda, thoda, thoda, udaikira pani thuli Suda, suda, suda, suda kidaikira idli Thada thada thadavena athirkira rayiladi Kada, kada kadavena kadakkira kaaviri Viru, viru, viruvena madikkira vetrilai Muru, muru, murnuvena murukkiya meesaikal Manathil irukkuthu mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei! Mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei! Sooriyano chandhirano yaarivano sattunnu sollu Sera paandiya sooranum ivano sollu, sollu, sattunnu sollu (Aey, lei, lei!) Sera paandiya sooranum ivano sollu, sollu (Aey, lei, lei!) Aey, balleilakka, balleilakka ottu motha makkalukka Anna Vandhaa Tamil Nadu America! Aey, balleilakka, balleilakka ottu motha makkalukka Anna Vandhaa Tamil Nadu America!
hand drumming djembes at a fast tempo
Zachary Durlam
Sattunnu sollu
drum solo
Zachary Durlam
Sattunnu sollu Chan, chan, chan, chan, chan, chan, chan, chan Ganika, ganika, ganika, ganika, ganika, ganika, ganika, ganika Oh, aey, aey, aey, aey Kaaviri aarum kai kuthal arisiyum maranthu poguma? Aey, balleilakka, balleilakka oh, thaavani pengalum Thoothu vidum kangalum tholainthu poguma? (Oo) Namma kalathu medu (Ah, ah!) Kamma karai karisai kaadu (Oo!) Semman alli thelikum roa du (Oh, aey, aey, aey!) Sadugudu, sadugudu, sadugudu, sadugudu Sadugudu sadugudu sadugudu sadugudu Sadugudu, sadugudu aadiya marathadi Padu, padu Paduvena porthiya pulevi Thoda, thoda, thoda, thoda, udaikira pani thuli Suda, suda, suda, suda kidaikira idli Thada thada thadavena athirkira rayiladi Kada, kada kadavena kadakkira kaaviri Viru, viru, viruvena madikkira vetrilai Muru, muru, murnuvena murukkiya meesaikal Manathil irukkuthu mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei! Mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei Mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei, mei! Aey, balleilakka, balleilakka sale thukka maduraikka Madrasukka thiruchikka thiruthannikkaa Aey, balleilakka, balleilakka ottu motha makkalukka Anna Vandhaa Tamil Nadu America! Aey, balleilakka, balleilakka sale thukka maduraikka Madrasukka thiruchikka thiruthannikkaa Aey, balleilakka, balleilakka ottu motha makkalukka Anna Vandhaa Tamil Nadu America!
cheers and applause
Gary Lewis
The most important part about involvement in the arts is how it deepens us as human beings, how it broadens us as human beings. One, two, same spot. Music expresses the inexpressible, in a way that's even better than most other art forms. And I feel like in our society today, especially, it's important for us to get beyond the science and the technology-- Fabulous!-- And to be more empathic, to be more communicative, to be more collaborative, to be more understanding, to make us more profound human beings. And I really do think that involvement in the arts and music, specifically, helps to do that.
Orchestra performs "Pines of Rome IV" by Ottorino Respighi
starts quietly and builds throughout
Gary Lewis
"Pines of Rome IV" continues
Gary Lewis
"Pines of Rome IV" continues
cheers and applause
Angela Broeker
I think now, in today's society, where students feel isolated, where they feel alone, where they feel other than; that a musical experience-- more than any experience I know-- brings diversity in a room together, and everybody works toward a common goal. Let's do that, yeah. Good idea, good, good, good! It's not a competition. It's a creative endeavor that brings forth and materializes our shared humanity.
Treble Choir performs "Wau Bulan" in Malay
Malaysian folk song in Dikir Barat style
begins slow and solemn
humming
Angela Broeker
Hmmmm Ewah buleh ewah buleh (Wow, the three-cornered moon!) Ewah buleh teraju tigo Ewah ewah ewah buleh Ewah buleh teraju tigo Ewah buleh ewah buleh Ewah buleh teraju tigo Ewah ewah ewah buleh Ewah buleh teraju tigo
percussion, tempo, tone pick up
Angela Broeker
E wah bule ewah buleh Ewah buleh teraju tigo Ewah ewah ewah buleh Ewah buleh teraju tigo Ala ewah ewah buleh Ewah buleh teraju tigo Ala ewah ewah buleh Ewah buleh
clap
Angela Broeker
teraju tigo Ewah bule ewah buleh Ewah buleh teraju tigo Ewah ewah ewah buleh Ewah buleh teraju tigo Ala ewah ewah buleh Ewah buleh teraju tigo Ala ewah ewah buleh Ewah buleh
clap
Angela Broeker
teraju tigo
clapping rhythmically
drum solo
Angela Broeker
Ewah buleh ewah buleh Ewah buleh teraju tigo Ewah ewah ewah buleh Ewah buleh teraju tigo
rhythmic clapping accelerates
choir cheering
Angela Broeker
Ewah wau!
Audience member
Yeah!
energetic cheers and applause
Heather Thorpe
The students are singing music from all over the world. And every kind of music has a different way to perform it, different way to sing it. If this is our big finale, it needs to be our big finale.
Heather
The singers are also doing a lot of dance in a lot of their music. Much of the dance comes from the culture that we're singing about. Sometimes it's very appropriate to add a motion or movement to the music, because that's part of the tradition.
Treble Choir sings "Kwela Kwela" in Zulu
snapping fingers, drumming
Heather
Du du tu du du tu du du Du du tu du du tu du du Du du tu du du tu du du Du du tu du du tu du du Du du tu du du tu du du Du du tu du du tu du du Du du tu du du tu du du Du du tu du du tu du du Kwela kwela Kwela kwela
joyous swing-like rhythm
Heather
Kwela kwela mama Kwela kwela mama
high-pitched trilling
Heather
Kwela kwela Kwela kwela Kwela kwela mama Kwela kwela mama Mosa di o mo pila so O no o meile ka Mosa di o mo pila so O no o meile ka Kgalesela Kgalesela Kgalesela Kgalesela Mosadiomo pila so O no o meile ka Mosa di o mo pila so O no o meile ka Kgalesela Kgalesela Kgalesela Kgalesela Kwela kwela Kwela kwela Kwela kwela Kwela kwela Kwela kwela Kwela kwela Kwela kwela mama Kwela kwela mama Tu du du Tu du du du du du du Tu du du tu du du Tu du du du du du du Kwela kwela Kwela kwela Kwela kwela mama Kwela kwela mama Kwela kwela mama Kwela kwela Kwela kwela Kwela kwela mama Kwela kwela mama Mosadiomo pila so O no o meile ka Mosa di o mo pila so O no o meile ka Kgalesela Kgalesela Kgalesela Kgalesela Mosadiomo pila so O no o meile ka
singing sustained note, trilling
trilling
cheers and applause
Audience
Yeah! The 2019 WSMA High School State Honors Concerts was funded, in part, by A. Paul Jones Charitable Trust, Focus Fund for Young Performers, and Friends of Wisconsin Public Television.
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