NYSSMA Dates for 2024-25 School Year:
April 4th-5th, 2025
Piano, Instrumental, Vocal, All-State
Hosted at Elwood Middle School
May 16th-17th, 2025
Jazz, Drum Set, Classical Guitar
Hosted at Commack High School
Make sure you have 2 original copies of your NYSSMA solo. Ask me before purchasing a 2nd copy of a string solo, as I may have a book you can borrow for the judge. You will not be able to play without original copies!!!
About NYSSMA:
Each spring the New York State School Music Association provides student musicians an opportunity to perform a solo that is judged by a certified NYSSMA judge. Students are then given a score, rating and are provided with written feedback from the judge.
There are 3 components to preparing a NYSSMA solo. They are:
1. Scales (see below for requirements for various instruments and levels)
2. Solo- This must be prepared outside of school time and will require extra practice. There are 6 different levels of difficulty. If your child studies with a private teacher, that teacher will most likely choose the appropriate level and solo. If your child does not study privately, have your child see their school music teacher to choose an appropriate level and solo.
3. Sight Reading- Students will be given a short musical example that will be unfamiliar to them. They will be given time to study it (couple of minutes) and then be asked to perform it.
NYSSMA Scale requirements
VIOLIN & VIOLA:
Levels 1-2: Prepare and perform 3 one octave scales from memory.
Levels 3-4: Prepare 7 scales from memory. 2 of the seven must be in two octaves, the rest in one octave.
Perform 1 of the two octave scales and 2 of the one octave scales.
All three scales are chosen by the judge.
Levels 5-6: Prepare 15 scales from memory. All of the scales must be in two octaves.
Perform 3 scales.
All three scales are chosen by the judge.
CELLO:
Levels 1-2: Prepare and perform 3 one octave scales from memory.
Levels 3-4: Prepare 7 scales from memory. 1 of the seven must be in two octaves, the rest in one octave.
Perform the two octave scale and 2 of the one octave scales.
All three scales are chosen by the judge.
Levels 5-6: Prepare 15 scales from memory. All of the scales must be in two octaves.
Perform 3 scales.
All three scales are chosen by the judge.
BASS:
Levels 1-2: Prepare and perform 3 one octave scales from memory.
Levels 3-4: Prepare 7 scales from memory. 1 of the seven must be in two octaves, the rest in one octave.
Perform the two octave scale and 2 of the one octave scales.
All three scales are chosen by the judge.
Levels 5-6: Prepare 15 scales from memory. E, F, F#/Gb and G must be in two octaves.
Perform 2 of the two octave scales and 1 of the one octave scales.
All three scales are chosen by the judge.