NYSSMA Festivals
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NYSSMA SOLO FESTIVAL 2023
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR NYSSMA PARTICIPANTS BELOW**
Every spring music students have the opportunity to enter the New York State School Music Association's Solo Adjudication Festival, (NYSSMA). The students are evaluated on their performance of a piece which they may select from the approved NYSSMA manual. The pieces are arranged on six levels according to the level of difficulty of the music.
Participation in the NYSSMA Festival is valuable as it provides the student with an opportunity to perform in an audition-like setting, to receive an expert, objective evaluation, and opens doors for the student as far as other Festival participation is concerned.
All County and LISFA: The scores received for are used to determine if students are eligible for the Nassau All-County Festival and the Long Island String Festival during the following year.
All State: Students in grades 10 and 11 may compete for the New York All-State Music Festival during the NYSSMA Festival, but must specifically request this type of audition on the registration form and also secure an accompanist upon registration. Students accepted in All State will have the opportunity to perform in Rochester, NY in early December with other musicians from throughout New York State.
NYSSMA Registration forms are available in January, both on the Herricks website and through your child’s music teacher.
A few things to keep in mind:
- It is not necessary, or even recommended, to progress at a rate of one level a year. The student's real level of ability should determine which piece (or level) is selected, not the level passed the prior year.
- It is recommended that the music student is constantly learning the standard literature for the instrument. Learning one solo a year, strictly for the NYSSMA competition, will not produce a well-developed musician.
- Accept the recommendation of the music teacher or the private instructor with regard to choosing a solo piece.
- Make sure that the selected piece is from the current NYSSMA manual. The manuals are revised every three years and often pieces are deleted and new pieces are added.
THE CURRENT NYSSMA MANUAL IS EDITION 33 (effective July 2022)
The NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Solo Music Festivals
for Herricks students will be held as follows:
Piano Level 1-6 March 14-16 (Adelphi University)
Levels 1-6 Regular and All State March 31, April 1(Herricks High School)
All-State Jazz (& Vocal Jazz) May 19, 20 (Hewlett Middle School)
Classical Guitar April 21, 22 (Holy Trinity High School, Hicksville))
Harp May 5,6 (Syosset High School)
Registration forms are posted below.Completed registration forms and payment must be submitted to your child's school music teacher by January 23, 2023
INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOP ON JANUARY 11 at 7:00pm (virtual event) Do you still have questions? NO PROBLEM! Contact Ms. Arnold or your child's music teacher