Aspiring Music Majors is a one-day program for students in grades 9-12 who may be interested in pursuing music as a career and/or college major or minor. Students have the opportunity to: visit music representatives from Wisconsin and Midwest universities, colleges and music industries; take in special sessions, performances and exhibits; and get advice from current music majors.
Do you know of an aspiring high school student who is considering music as a major in college?
Encourage students in grades 9-12 to attend the Aspiring Music Majors program held on Friday of the Wisconsin State Music Conference.
Purpose/Goal of Aspiring Music Major Program:
- Provide grades 9-12 students who have an interest in pursuing music as a college music major with the opportunity to participate in the state’s largest music conference.
- Meet some of our state and national leaders and speakers.
- Visit with music representatives from Wisconsin’s universities and colleges.
- Visit the exhibits where you will see the latest in instruments, music and technology.
Event Information
- Who: Students in grades 9-12
Parent(s) or designated adult must accompany each student at no additional charge (WSMA High School State Honors Music Project Jazz Ensemble concert ticket also included) - When: Friday, October 31, 2025
7:30 am – Check-in/Onsite registration available (credit card payment only) at Embassy Suites, Downtown Madison
8:00-3:00 p.m. – Sessions at Embassy Suites, WSMA High School State Honors Jazz Ensemble concert attendance and “Exhibit Hall Experience” at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center - Where: Embassy Suites, Downtown Madison (231 S. Pinckney Street) and Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center (1 John Nolen Dr)
- Cost:
Online through October 30 11:59 p.m. – $20/student (includes $12 lunch voucher)
Onsite October 31 – $25/student (includes $12 lunch voucher)
Onsite Parent or Designated Adult Requirement
All students participating in Aspiring Music Majors must have a parent or designated adult onsite during the Aspiring Music Majors educational event on Friday, October 31, 2025. Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) is unable to provide direct supervision of students due to the nature of the Wisconsin State Music Conference open event structure. Registration requires full name, relationship to student, email address and cell phone number for the adult who will be responsible for the student during the event.
2025 Event Tentative Schedule
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30-8:00 a.m. | Registration | Embassy Suites Downtown Madison; Large conference room |
| 8:00-8:10 a.m. | Event Welcome Brad Schneider, WMEA Immediate Past President | Embassy Suites; Large conference room |
| 8:10-8:50 a.m. | Possibilities and Pathways-Session 1: Presentation by Wisconsin Colleges & Universities | Embassy Suites; Large conference room |
| 8:50-9:20 a.m. | Creative Industries Presentation by Michael Kamphius, Senior Vice President Conn-Selmer Industries | Embassy Suites; Large conference room |
| 9:20-9:25 a.m. | Stretch Break | |
| 9:25-10:05 a.m. | Possibilities and Pathways-Session 2: Presentation by Wisconsin Colleges & Universities | Embassy Suites; Large conference room |
| 10:05-10:15 a.m. | Transition to Panel Rooms | |
| 10:15-11:05 a.m. | Student Session - Life of Collegiate Music Student; Dr. Jenny Hutton, NAfME Collegiate Chair (WMEA) & Wisconsin NAfME Collegiate Student Panel | Embassy Suites; Large conference room |
| 10:15-11:05 a.m. | Parent Sessions - Music Related Career Pathway Supports & Considerations; Brad Schneider, WMEA Immediate Past President, Wisconsin College & University Panel | Embassy Suites; Smaller conference rooms |
| 11:05-11:30 a.m. | Transition to WSMA High School State Honors Jazz Ensemble Performance | Travel to Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center Ballroom |
| 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | WSMA High School State Honors Jazz Ensemble Performance | Monona Terrace Ballroom |
| 12:30-12:45 a.m. | Regroup in Madison Ballroom & Shift to Lower Level Exhibit Hall | Monona Terrace Ballroom |
| 12:45-3:00 p.m. | Exhibit Hall Destination: Music Game & Lunch; Focus: College and University Visits and Sponsored Vendors | Monona Terrace Lower Level Exhibit Hall |
| 2:30-3:00 p.m. | Check out | Monona Terrace, Lower Level Exhibit Hallway (by large windows) |
Thank you to our Aspiring Music Majors donors who make this event possible.
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Questions? Contact conference@wmeamusic.org.
