NYSSMA 2023 Festival Information
May 16 & 17, 2023
Chaminade High School
What is NYSSMA?
What is the NYSSMA Solo Festival?
The NYSSMA Solo Festival is an annual music event in which music students perform a piece of prepared music for evaluation by an adjudicator (professional music educator), including scales, sight reading, and performance of a prepared solo selected from the official NYSSMA Manual. The adjudicator writes comments and gives a written rating on a NYSSMA evaluation form. Students receive their evaluation forms and grades from their school music teacher several weeks following the festival.
How do students benefit from participating in the NYSSMA Solo Festival?
Professional music educators offer helpful comments that address aspects of each student’s individual performance. Additionally, NYSSMA is an opportunity for students to perform at their level of ability, alone and outside of regular school concerts. Although this is not a required activity, students will benefit from the additional challenge that the NYSSMA Solo Festival offers. It also allows your child’s music teacher to be able to nominate him or her for possible NMEA All-County participation.
The NYSSMA Solo Festival is an annual music event in which music students perform a piece of prepared music for evaluation by an adjudicator (professional music educator), including scales, sight reading, and performance of a prepared solo selected from the official NYSSMA Manual. The adjudicator writes comments and gives a written rating on a NYSSMA evaluation form. Students receive their evaluation forms and grades from their school music teacher several weeks following the festival.
How do students benefit from participating in the NYSSMA Solo Festival?
Professional music educators offer helpful comments that address aspects of each student’s individual performance. Additionally, NYSSMA is an opportunity for students to perform at their level of ability, alone and outside of regular school concerts. Although this is not a required activity, students will benefit from the additional challenge that the NYSSMA Solo Festival offers. It also allows your child’s music teacher to be able to nominate him or her for possible NMEA All-County participation.
How do I know if NYSSMA is right for my child?
If your child is practicing regularly and is enjoying the challenge of making music then they should try NYSSMA. You can always reach out to Mrs. Bader with questions.
How do I register my child for NYSSMA?
Registration forms go out in January and are due in February of each year. Students must return the registration form/fee to their school’s music teacher. All participation fees for the various NYSSMA Festivals must accompany the application form. There are no fees or applications accepted after the deadline and no refunds are given once the form and fee are submitted for preferred appointment times.
Preparing for the Performance.
Contact Mrs. Bader to ask more about NYSSMA and select a solo.
Obtain a private teacher for your child (optional but recommended for a successful experience).
Purchase two originals of your child's solo. One is for your child to perform from, and the other is for the adjudicator. Due to copyright laws, photocopies are not allowed at NYSSMA festivals.
Prepare three scales in addition to the chosen solo. Scales must be memorized. Percussionists must prepare rudiments.
Obtain a private teacher for your child (optional but recommended for a successful experience).
Purchase two originals of your child's solo. One is for your child to perform from, and the other is for the adjudicator. Due to copyright laws, photocopies are not allowed at NYSSMA festivals.
Prepare three scales in addition to the chosen solo. Scales must be memorized. Percussionists must prepare rudiments.