Typically, the first step is to talk with your music teacher. How do we decide what piece and level to do? The requirements for scales and sight reading increase and encompass greater knowledge and skill as the levels increase. Level 1 is the easiest solo and Level 6 is the most challenging. Usually, students who do not do a NYSSMA are not recommended for All County. Ultimately, your music teacher writes you a recommendation which is then reviewed by an All County selection committee. The performance itself is no longer than 10 minutes for levels I-IV or 15 minutes for levels V and VI.ĭo NYSSMA solos qualify us for All County?Īt SOCSD and in Rockland County, we use your NYSSMA information to help you apply for All-County. That includes time trying to find parking at the NYSSMA site, showing up to the room where the performance will take place, warming up for a few minutes, the performance itself, and then leaving the building to go home. On NYSSMA day, plan to set aside 1-2 hours for the entire experience.
A parent may be in the room for the solo and scales, but not the sight reading. The entire performing experience happens in that room with the student and the adjudicator-the performance is not public. The adjudicator will also ask for sight reading. A student walks into a classroom with a practicing or retired music educator in the room and performs a prepared solo and scales. When a student ‘does a NYSSMA,’ they need to be able to perform by themselves in front of a trained NYSSMA adjudicator (a ‘professional listener’). Usually, there are about 2,000 students that choose to perform at this NYSSMA festival alone, which means an enormous amount of students from the state participate each year.Ĭan you describe a typical NYSSMA Solo Festival Experience? Many times, that festival happens to be in Rockland County. We at SOCSD participate in a festival that is relatively nearby to our school. The NYSSMA Solo Festivals appear throughout the State of New York. When people talk about ‘doing a NYSSMA,’ they are referring to performing at a NYSSMA solo festival.
NYSSMA FESTIVAL PROFESSIONAL
This organization is responsible for sponsoring research studies and professional development involving music education throughout the state, as well as coordinating advocacy efforts, hosting and sponsoring conferences, scholarships, and competitions, and finally, solo and ensemble festivals. FAQs can be found here.NYSSMA stands for the New York State School Music Association. Please return the application form (and check made payable to FOM) to the District Music Office by February 12, 2021.įor more information click here. Students will pre-record their scales or rudiments and upload when completing Task 3.įees: Cash or check payable to NISKAYUNA FRIENDS OF MUSIC (or FOM) *Scales – (Instrumentalists only) The required three scales for each level will be available to teachers and students on the NYSSMA Website and School Music News. Task 2 – student will upload a scanned copy of their solo or ensemble score
NYSSMA FESTIVAL REGISTRATION
Task 1 – student will complete field prompts for general registration Uploaded student performance will include five tasks:
Students who sing or play an instrument have the opportunity to participate in the 2021 New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Solo Festival.