The final countdown is on for Launchpad – the statewide music competition for high school students in bands formed outside of school. Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) announced the 12 finalist garage bands in the state that will take the stage and compete in a concert extravaganza at Wisconsin Union Theater (UW-Madison campus) on June 20 at 4 p.m. The event, which is open to the public, celebrates the reach of music education.

The competing bands, finalists from 83 statewide entries, include:
4 p.m. The Brutal Truth - Durand High School (Hard Rock)
4:25 p.m. Back 40 - Sturgeon Bay High School (Acoustic)
4:50 p.m. TSA - Weston DC Everest High School (Rock)
5:15 p.m. Little Saint Anything - Mequon Homestead/Nicolet High Schools (Rock)
5:40 p.m. Sleeping in the Stereo - Madison West HS, Madison St. Maria Goretti MS (Alternative)
6:05 p.m. Scotty and the Snow Machines - Appleton West High School (Alt Rock)
6:30 p.m. Village Idiot - Milton High School, Milton Middle School (Rock)
6:55 p.m. Fforte Adore - Whitefish Bay, Marquette University, Brookfield Central High Schools (Rock)
7:20 p.m. The Flow Banditz and the Organix - Middleton High School (Hip Hop/Funk)
7:45 p.m. The Scallions - Kohler High School (Jazz Fusion/Rock)
8:10 p.m. The Stumes - Lake Geneva Badger High School (Blues/Funk/Rock)
8:35 p.m. Arts & Crafts - Chetek High School (Classic Rock)

““Bands advancing to the state finals competition have made a wonderful accomplishment by taking what they’ve learned in and outside the music classroom and applying it in their own way,” said Kevin Thays, WSMA director of communications. At least one person from each band must be in a school music program and members must be enrolled in a Wisconsin high school and/or WSMA member school to qualify.

This year’s finalist bands will experience a touch of fame with the opportunity to learn from acclaimed Yamaha recording artists in the Launchpad Music Clinics held just hours ahead of the competition. Guitarist Alex Skolnick, who is the lead guitarist of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Testament and the Alex Skolnick Trio, will conduct a guitar clinic beginning at 12 p.m. Drummer John “JR” Robinson, who is known as the most recorded drummer in history and has recorded with the likes of Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, David Lee Roth, Steve Winwood, Madonna and many others, will lead a drum clinic beginning at 1:15 p.m. The public is invited to observe these clinics and can do so by simply purchasing a ticket to the Launchpad finals competition (see ticket info below). Both artists will also be part of the judging panel for the competition. The third judge will be Hanah Jon Taylor, the noted jazz sax and flute player and currently the Recruitment and Counseling Specialist at Madison Media Institute.

Following the clinics, the bands will compete for the state title and grand prize: the Les Paul Launchpad Award, a professional recording session at Smart Studios in Madison and a Summerfest gig on July 4. This year, all 12 bands in the Launchpad state finals competition will get to play at Summerfest, with the winner playing twice. In the finals competition, each group will play three songs (covers or originals in virtually any style). 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 receive a private verbal critique.

Launchpad is funded primarily by supporting sponsors 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 Yamaha, Charter Communications, Madison Media Institute, Nicholas Family Foundation, Knupp & Watson, The Onion, WMSN FOX 47, WJJO FM, WTDY AM, WJQM FM, Maximum Ink, Broadjam, SONY, Sticha Brothers Sound, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Tall Guy Productions, Wisconsin Education Association Council, Summerfest, Shure Microphones, Daisy Rock Guitars, and Smart Studios. Launchpad is a WSMA program produced by Dennis Graham Associates.

"The twelve 2009 Launchpad finalist bands represent the best of this year's statewide competition that features high school garage bands. Join us on June 20 to witness the remarkable talent and musicianship displayed by these gifted students," said Dennis Graham

For tickets to the Launchpad state finals competition in Madison, call 608-262-2201 or go to www.uniontheater.wisc.edu. Tickets are $3 for ages 10 and under, $7 for ages 11-18 and $8 for ages 19 and older, in advance and at the door. For more information on Launchpad, including participation details, video footage of last year’s finals competition, all supporting sponsors, late-breaking news, etc., go to www.launchpadwisconsin.org. Also be sure to visit www.wsmamusic.org for more about WSMA.

Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) is a service organization with more than 1,000 member public and private schools. Each year, more than 220,000 student participants take part in WSMA activities, including District and State Music Festivals, State Honors Music Project, State Marching Band Championships and Concert Festivals. WSMA, also owner and operator of the Wisconsin Center for Music Education, is governed by a board of directors made up of superintendents, principals and other officers from all over our state. WSMA believes music is a basic human need and that all children have the right to experience all that music offers them.