LAUNCHPAD STATE FINALS COMPETITION COMES TO MADISON!
At least one person from each band must be in a school music program and all members must be enrolled in a Wisconsin high school and/or WSMA member school to qualify. The competing bands include:
2:25 p.m. Second Time Around – Hartland Arrowhead and Slinger High Schools (Alternative Rock)
2:50 p.m. The Sleep Cyclists – Middleton High School (Alternative)
3:15 p.m. Mr. Mayor – Kimberly and Clintonville High Schools (Rock)
3:40 p.m. MU – Milton and Janesville Parker High Schools (Metal)
4:05 p.m. Thief & Rascal – James Madison Memorial-Madison High School (Garage Rock)
4:30 p.m. Country Shine – Fox Valley-Appleton Lutheran High School (Country)
5:20 p.m. The Viewing Party – Platteville High School (Rock)
5:45 p.m. Day 42 – La Crosse Aquinas High School (Rock)
6:10 p.m. Relatively Blue – Delavan-Darien and Elkhorn Area High Schools (Blues)
6:35 p.m. The Daze – Madison West High School (Alternative Rock)
7:00 p.m. WithoutExcuse – Mosinee and Rosholt High Schools and D.C. Everest-Weston Idea Charter School (Pop)
7:25 p.m. Unidentified – Osseo-Fairchild High School (Folk Rock)
7:50 p.m. Autumn Underground – Middleton High School (Rock)
Please Note: Performance times and band listings are subject to change.
This schedule is comprised of three finalist bands from each of four regional competitions, plus a “wildcard” band (Autumn Underground) selected from all Launchpad entries through a worldwide voting system of listeners on Broadjam.com. The bands are each slotted to play three songs, and will be evaluated by music industry professionals on expression and creativity, technique, time, blend, and synergy. In addition to the written evaluations, bands receive a private verbal critique.
“Launchpad finals are a celebration of the most accomplished bands moving through the competition, some new to the program and others returning,” said Tim Wurgler, WSMA program director. “The work the students do is amazing and is the culmination of all they have learned from the regional judges, school music teachers and their own creativity. It will truly be an exciting day of music.”
These 13 bands will automatically qualify to participate in the Summerfest Launchpad Regional Showcases in Milwaukee. The winning band will also receive the prestigious Les Paul Launchpad Award, an additional slot to perform at Summerfest, a professional recording session at Blast House Studios in Madison, and a Yamaha equipment package for their school.
"The 13 finalist bands represent the best of this year's statewide competition that features high school garage bands. Join us on June 8 to witness the remarkable talent and musicianship displayed by these gifted students," said Launchpad producer Dennis Graham.
Launchpad is funded by WSMA, corporate sponsorships and in-kind giving from people who believe in the benefits of music education and all that music has to offer. Sponsors for the Launchpad state finals competition include Madison Media Institute, Broadjam, Tilt Media, the Nicholas Family Foundation, the Yamaha Corporation of America, TVW, the Les Paul Foundation, Theodore W Batterman Family Foundation, UW-Madison Visitor & Information Programs, Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation, Sosonic, Shure, Maximum Ink, Sherwood Press, WJJO FM, 93.1 Hot Jamz, 106.7 FM/1670 AM The ZONE, the Onion, Blast House Studios, Summerfest 2013, Jack LeTourneau Productions, Vans Warped Tour and Tall Guy Productions. The program is produced by Dennis Graham Associates.