VSA arts of Wisconsin VSA Day


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VSA Day Smile

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• Email VSA
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• 608-241-2131
• For more information on VSA Day, contact VSA's Project Coordinator.

UW Band Director and VSA Board member, Mike Leckrone

Mike Leckrone: "With [VSA], one of the biggest thrills of the year is seeing those students enjoy the experience of performing in front of an audience that is appreciative. That is very satisfying. That sense of accomplishment, there's just a joyous attitude that just makes you feel good."

20th annual VSA Day at Camp Randall Oct. 20, 2007
Camp Randall Stadium, University of Wisconsin-Madison campus
UW vs. Northern Illinois

Bucky joins VSA Beading Marathon! Click here for pictures.

More than 250 VSA Choir and high school marching band members with and without disabilities joined University of Wisconsin (UW) Marching Band Director Mike Leckrone and the UW Marching Band Oct. 20 for the 20th annual VSA Day at Camp Randall. Participants were featured in pre-game and halftime performances at the Badgers' football game against Northern Illinois.

Leckrone has served on the VSA Board of Directors since October 1987. In 1988, inspired by his wife’s experiences teaching children with disabilities, Leckrone identified the need to create an integrated music program and VSA Day was born. He said, “I wanted to create something that was fun and could be done spontaneously with these kids. Participation was the essential ingredient. I wanted something that didn’t have to be ‘perfect.’ Music is a universal language that should be enjoyed by everyone. I wanted fun, but more importantly I wanted to give these kids a chance of a lifetime to have a ball.” Through this program, he has energetically encouraged countless people of all ages and abilities to make music an integral part of their lives.

VSA Choir members from Eau Claire, Menomonie, Oshkosh and Wisconsin Rapids took the field before the game to sign the National Anthem in American Sign Language.

"VSA Day is a day we look forward to all year” says Kathie Wagner, president of VSA arts of Wisconsin. "VSA Choirs and high school marching band members with and without disabilities all over the state prepare and practice for many hours to participate at this event. It is such a thrill for each of them to have the chance to perform in front of the huge UW crowd!" She adds, "Having our participants performing on the field alongside the UW Marching Band demonstrates that people with disabilities can actively participate and express themselves as musicians."

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VSA Day 2007 Marching Band

VSA Day drummer VSA Day band VSA Day triangle player
Photos by Ralph Sandler

Steve Singel has led the VSA Marching Band for 20 years!

Steve Singel and Mike Leckrone
Photo by Ralph Sandler

"The VSA Day Marching Band" features high school band members with and without disabilities from Cassville, DeForest, Oregon, Sun Prairie, Syble Hopp-DePere and Verona. Musicians and band directors around the state put in many hours of practice in the weeks before the game to prepare for their performance before a sell-out crowd of more than 82,000.

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Video screens in Camp Randall Stadium feature the VSA Day Band performance.

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2007 VSA Day sponsors:

Additional support by University of Wisconsin Athletic Department, and Mike Leckrone and the UW Marching Band, with special thanks to Nick Motl, Top Promotions, Whole Foods and the Wisconsin State Journal.