The pieces are arranged on six levels according to the level of difficulty of the music. The students are evaluated on their performance of a piece which they may select from the approved NYSSMA manual. **IMPORTANT UPDATEs FOR NYSSMA PARTICIPANTS BELOW**Įvery spring music students have the opportunity to enter the New York State School Music Association's Solo Adjudication Festival, (NYSSMA).
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There are about 5,000 members in the organization, with 100,000 students participating in the annual spring festival, and 4,000 people participating in the NYSSMA Winter Conference. The main goal of the NYSSMA organization is to make musical education more prevalent across New York. Palma completed level four cello NYSSMA and explained that he felt that the program was truly beneficial despite having been moved online. “I like NYSSMA this year even though it was online because it gives me motivation to practice and get better at music,” said sophomore Kevin Reyes Palma. Students have displayed their appreciation for NYSSMA because it encourages them to practice and improve, and adds a new goal of perfection. Online NYSSMA seems to be considerably easier than it has been in previous years due to the elimination of sight reading and the ability to record solos and scales multiple times. For jazz musicians, improvisation videos are also required. Then they must upload videos of their scales, or long roll and rudiments for drums, as well as their solo videos. To participate in NYSSMA 2021, students must register and submit the sheet music for their solos. However, the process is simple and the association has even created a video to explain it,” said sophomore Bryson Shaub. Going into it, I was afraid that the submission progress would be long and complicated. “NYSSMA has made the online experience very organized. Solos and scales must be recorded as a video, making it easier because participants have unlimited takes until they play perfectly. However this year, the three necessary scales have been announced to students prior to recording so they can focus on these three scales instead of learning all twelve. The student would not know which three would be chosen so they would prepare all twelve. Normally, level six piano candidates must learn all twelve major scales, and then play three for the adjudicator. For example, sight reading has been completely eliminated this year because NYSSMA cannot be held in person.Īdditionally, students would normally have to learn a certain amount of scales and then perform them for the judge.
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Normally, students would go on their scheduled day to their designated location and play before an adjudicator who would grade them on their ability to perform a solo, play selected scales, and sight-read a sheet of musicĪside from its format, many aspects of the festival have changed.
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There are six different levels, with level one being the easiest and six being the most challenging. Many Schreiber students are participating and hope to earn a good score on their performances in the online NYSSMA solo and small ensemble festival on April 23.