Each year the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) conducts the NYSSMA Solo Festival in locations all across the state. The festival gives students the opportunity to prepare a solo which a certified NYSSMA judge evaluates and grades based on very specific criteria. The solo not only gives participants the opportunity to set goals and strive for higher levels of excellence, but it also means that they may be nominated for honors bands (HMEA, SCMEA, NYSCAME, All-State) the following year.