All students who attend invited schools have the opportunity to compete in the Huisman Honors Recital Competition. This event is named after longtime educator and arts supporter Richard Huisman. Richard was a teacher, principal and superintendent for the School District of Wabeno Area. As an educator, Mr. Huisman believed that young people should have the opportunity for a well-rounded education, including technology, athletics, and the arts.
The honors recital competition is open to musicians in northern Wisconsin and parts of Upper Michigan who have performed a Class A accompanied solo for the 2023 WSMA Solo and Ensemble Season. Each student entry must perform the music that they prepared for Solo and Ensemble. Students will be evaluated by independent music educators. Eight to twelve students will be selected to perform at the honors recital. Each student chosen will receive a plaque of merit for being chosen to represent their school and community. The award amounts are as follows:
1st Place $2000 Scholarship
2nd Place $1000 Scholarship
3rd Place $500 Scholarship
Students MUST be able to perform Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 7:00pm to enter this competition. The event will be held in The Nancy Volk Auditorium at Wabeno High School, and will be a part of the Wabeno Area Players Fine Arts Series. The competition and recital will be publicized and open to the general public. All students must provide their own personal accompanist for the recital performance.
Procedural Guidelines
The application form, application fee, audition recording, and a copy of your music with accompaniment is due on or before Saturday, April 15th, 2023. The video recording, music, and audition form may be sent via email to wabenoareaplayers@gmail.com or mailed to Wabeno Area Players, P.O. Box 325, Wabeno, WI 54566. All recording must be of good quality. DVD’s are accepted by mail. At the beginning of your recording you must state your name, grade, school and selection you will be performing. An application fee of $20 must be paid by check or money order, made payable to Wabeno Area Players, by the April 15th deadline. The application fee may be sent separately through the mail if other application material is being sent electronically. It must be postmarked by April 15th, and must include the student name and school on the memo line. Payment must be cleared by May 1st, 2023.
Appropriate dress for the recital performance shall include:
Dresses or skirts of adequate length (at least to the knee when seated), OR dress shirt and slacks (ties, vests, bow ties, and/or suits are encouraged but not required). NO JEANS. Dress shoes only; not sneakers, gym, tennis, boat shoes, platform shoes (soles greater than one inch), or flip-flops. Hair must be neat and out of the performer’s face. Apparel must be modest and non-revealing; no side slits, spaghetti straps, tank tops, backless or low-cut tops. Exception: Musical Theatre Solos may be performed in costume.
School music educators will be informed by email by May 1st, 2023, and letter shortly after, if their students are chosen for the recital. Biographical information for each chosen applicant will be needed for the program and event publicity. For further questions regarding the competition and recital procedure, please contact wabenoareaplayers@gmail.com or call (715) 927-7065.