NYSSMA: What you need to know

If you haven’t already, you or your teacher will decide whether or not to participate in the NYSSMA festival. NYSSMA stands for New York State Schools Music Association. It is an annual music festival held in the springtime and consists of different components. Here are a few steps to guide you through the process:

1. Instrument/Voice Part: NYSSMA can be for soloists and ensembles. Practically any instrument that you have seen or heard in band, orchestra or chorus, is a legitimate instrument to participate on.

2. Adjudication Levels: NYSSMA is on a level system 1 through 6, level 1 being the easiest. Levels 1 through 4 are graded with a total of 28 points. Levels 5 and 6 are out of 100.

3. Requirements: Each student is required to select a solo piece to perform, located in the NYSSMA manual (ask your teachers). In addition, there is sight reading and, depending on the instrument, scales to perform. Each level has it’s own difficulties as they increase.

4. Grading: The adjudicator (usually a retired or current music educator) will award or take away points for criteria such as tone quality, dynamics, expression, articulation, note accuracy, rhythm, the performance itself (i.e. While you are singing, are you conveying the meaning of the piece correctly?), sight reading, scale playing, and many other things. Consult your teacher for a specific guideline of your instrument.

5. All-County/All-State: For levels 1 through 5, if you do very well, you may be nominated to participate in All-County. This is where they select the best students from each adjudication, and combine them into an ensemble. The techniques learned and experience gained from this is invaluable. Level 6 soloists may be able to participate in All-State, which is state-wide. Furthermore, level 6 All-State students may be selected for All-Eastern or even a National ensemble!

6. START EARLY: Too many students start too late, or give up on their NYSSMA pieces too early. NYSSMA is not for everyone, but it is for many. Stay on track with your piece and work closely with your teacher to develop your piece in a fluent manner. Give yourself a lot of time and practice and you will certainly get a good score. Good luck!

8 Comments

  • Is my child able to participate in the vocal part of NYSSMA if they don’t have a vocal teacher?

    • Hi Arelie-
      You are not required to have a private instructor to participate in NYSSMA, but it is highly recommended.

    • Hi Devana,
      Not necessarily. Level 5 piano requirements depend on what you choose to do. It varies based on number of movements they have to play and/or number of pieces they have to play. The best thing to do would be to check the NYSSMA manual and to be very careful on what is required when selecting a piece.

  • also do scales have to start at middle c for nyssma. And also how many octaves for level 5 piano scales.

    • Hi Devana,
      Scales do not need to start at middle C for NYSSMA.

      Level 5 scale requirements are as follows, student must prepare:
      – 15 major scales from memory
      – four octaves in sixteenth notes
      – ascending and descending
      – hands together in parallel motion
      – metronome quarter note = 92-112
      Student will only preform:
      – 3 of the prepared major scales
      – all three scales will be chosen by the adjudicator

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