Oconto Falls students join WSMA High School State Honors Music Project

OCONTO FALLS – The Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) High School State Honors Music Project was founded in 1968 as a way to uplift talented musicians from high schools around the state. Taking the stage amongst the next generation of participants will be Oconto Falls High School students Katie Moody and Colin Pumplun.

For students like Moody and Pumplun, their journeys to the stage began far earlier than the start of the school year.

“I have been involved in music for ten years. I started playing at around six years old, playing on the drum set that my dad’s band kept at our house that he helped me get used to. This sparked my love for music and got me interested in the rest of what percussion held for me,” Pumplun explained.

Pumplun will be representing the Oconto Falls band while he plays for the state orchestra.

Moody will bring her six years of choir experience with her to the mixed choir group, sharing her passion for singing, “My favorite part of choir is the connections I’ve made. I’ve met so many of my closest friends through music. It’s such a special experience to get close to people through the long hours spent in rehearsals and a shared love of music.”

In order to join the WSMA music project, both students registered last fall and completed auditions before being accepted to the honors camp earlier this summer.

The WSMA High School Honors Summer Camp is held each June at UW-Eau Claire, during which students meet the conductors, learn the music and begin practicing as a group.

“This intense, four-day experience is a full immersion in creating music alongside fellow student musicians, guided by a nationally recognized conductor and a dedicated team of teachers acting as section coaches. While there is built-in time for rest and social activities, the majority of time is spent in rehearsal or sectionals, intensely preparing the music for the October concerts,” the WSMA website states.

“The summer camp/rehearsal process was very rigorous but entirely worth it,” Moody shared.
Pumplun said, The summer camp was the most amazing experience I’ve ever been a part of. The rehearsals were hours long but had breaks as well as activities to look forward to like the talent show. I made many new friends that I felt more comfortable around more than almost anyone else I know. I learned many new techniques that I was able to take back to my school and help other percussionists implement into their practice.”

“Even though it was exhausting, it was honestly one of the best experiences of my life,” Moody echoed.
Since completing the summer camp, students across the state have continued to practice in preparation for the upcoming band, mixed choir, orchestra, treble choir and jazz ensemble performances. These concerts will be held on Thursday, Oct. 29, in the Mead Witter Foundation Concert Hall at UW-Madison.

Ahead of the approaching performances, the Oconto Falls students shared the impact that participating in the WSMA music project has had on them.

“It feels like an honor to be chosen for my skills and talent and to be able to display at such a high level. I also feel proud to be able to represent my school and community as well as my parents with this opportunity,” Pumplun shared.

“Being part of the WSMA High School State Honors concert is beyond incredible. It’s been such a privilege singing with some of the best musicians in the state and learning from the most fantastic directors. My experience with WSMA has been so special, and unlike any choir I have ever been in,” Moody said.

Both students also encouraged their fellow high school peers to take a chance and try out the band and choir opportunities available to them.

Pumplun explained, “Music has so many opportunities to introduce you to new people, build strong bonds with others and it gives that beautiful feeling of freedom every time you play.”

“Just keep practicing and having confidence in yourself, and you’ll find out that you can do a lot more than you thought you could,” Moody concluded.

For more information on the upcoming WSMA High School State Honors Music Project or to learn more about the organization, visit https://wsmamusic.org/hs-honors/.