Wisconsin School Music Association just selected 15 area garage bands to take the stage and compete in a regional concert extravaganza at Chippewa Falls Senior High School April 24 at 4 p.m. The event, 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.
Arts & Crafts, the classic rock band who last year was a state finalist in Launchpad, plays at 9:50 p.m. Members include Chetek High School students Jack Ritchie, Derek Westholm, Kelly Damroth and Jake Nelson. Other bands, selected from more than 80-plus statewide entries, will compete as follows:
* 4 p.m., Raptor Club, Durand High School (rock);
* 4:25 p.m., Science Brigade, Marshfield High School (rock);
* 4:50 p.m., Silver Squirrel, St. Croix Falls High School (rock);
* 5:15 p.m., BETA, Ashland High School (Rock);
* 5:40 p.m. Innerburst, Eau Claire Memorial High School (rock);
* 6:05 p.m., Shockwire, Manitowoc Lincoln High School (rock/blues);
* 6:30 p.m., Forbidden Airspace, Ashland and Washburn high schools (rock);
* 6:55 p.m., The Brutal Truth, Durand High School (hard rock);
* 7:20 p.m., Super Mega Plus!, Lodi High School (rock/blues);
* 7:45 p.m., 3LK!, Sparta High School, (acoustic comedy);
* 8:10 p.m., Destination 3, Prentice High School (rock/punk);
* 8:35 p.m. TSA - DC Everest High School - Weston (rock);
* 9 p.m., Freedown, Wausau East High School (blues/rock);
* 9:25 p.m., Aphamy, Ashland High School (punk).
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, bands will receive a private verbal critique.
The top three bands in each of the four statewide regional competitions 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 at Smart Studios in Madison, a 2009 Summerfest gig on July 4 and the Les Paul Launchpad Award.
For more information on Launchpad, visit www.LaunchpadWisconsin.org. Also be sure to visit www.wsmamusic.org for more about WSMA.
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