LEVELS 1 – 4

SYOSSET CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SYOSSET, NEW YORK
Level I -IV APPLICATION for participation in the
VIRTUAL NYSSMA SOLO AND ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL
Upload period: February 12-26, 2021

The New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) sponsors a festival each spring in
which students have the opportunity to perform solos and small ensembles (duets, trios, etc.) for
an impartial adjudication. Judges, most of whom are chosen from outside the area, hear each
student play a graded selection from the NYSSMA manual, prescribed scales and a short sight
reading selection (8 measures). Students are then given a written report with comments on their
performance and a grade. Grades range from the relatively rare Outstanding through Excellent,
Good, and Needs Improvement (A+ through D- in Levels V and VI). In the case of a serious
problem with the performance or a serious infraction of the festival rules, a student may not
receive a grade. Levels of difficulty range as follows:

Levels I - very easy - elementary

II - easy - advanced elementary, middle school
III - medium - middle school
IV - medium difficult - advanced middle school, high school
V - difficult - advanced high school
VI - very difficult - only for the most advanced soloists

NYSSMA festival grades provide a standard that is used for acceptance to all-county festivals,
many music camps, and can be included in college applications. The festivals also serve as the
audition sites for the All-State band, chorus and orchestra (grades 10 and 11 only are eligible).

Students participating in the NYSSMA festival (and their parents) should be aware of the
following: (More detailed information on preparation is available through our individual music
teachers.)

1. The Upload Period for this virtual festival will be: February 12-26, 2021.

2. Your music teacher will give you a web address (URL) before the start of the Upload
Period.

3. All solos must be listed in the current NYSSMA Manual. Check this carefully with your
school music teacher. The current manual is Vol. 32. Private teachers do not always have
the current manual. Double check with your child’s music teacher at school to make sure
your solo is listed.

4. You will need to upload a scanned copy of the music as part of the process.

NYSSMA I/IV
LEVELS 1 – 4
5. Check the NYSSMA Manual for specific regulations on scales, sight reading, etc.
Be especially careful of requirements for percussion. Your teacher will review all of this
with you.

6. Vocal soloists must use a pre-recorded or live piano accompaniment.

7. Students will receive their comments and ratings from their teachers approximately three
weeks after the close of the upload period.

Participation fee: Level I – IV solos & ensembles: $16.00

NYSSMA fees cannot be refunded.

PLEASE RETURN CHECKS ONLY MADE OUT TO: STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND.

USE SEPARATE CHECKS FOR EACH STUDENT AND EACH AUDITION.

PLEASE INCLUDE THE STUDENT’S FIRST AND LAST NAME ON THE “MEMO” LINE
OF EACH CHECK.

PLEASE DO NOT STAPLE CHECKS!

FEES ROLLED OVER FROM NYSSMA 2020 MAY BE USED FOR THIS APPLICATION.

NYSSMA I/IV
LEVELS 1 – 4

Levels I – IV
Please return this form to your music teacher by: Friday, January 8, 2021
_________________________________________________________________________

NAME: __________________________SCHOOL:_______________________ GRADE:____

INSTRUMENT OR VOICE:_________________________________________________

NAME OF SOLO:____________________COMPOSER OF SOLO:_________________

LEVEL OF SOLO_________________PAGE NUMBER IN NYSSMA MANUAL______

(This must be specified) (from Volume 31)

I give my child____________________________________ permission to participate

(First and last name)
in this Virtual NYSSMA Solo & Ensemble Festival.

_____ Enclosed is a check (made out to STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND) for $16.00 for the
registration fee.
Include the first and last name of student on the “Memo” line of each check.
_____ Apply rolled over fees from NYSSMA 2020.

___________________________________ _______________________
(Signature of parent or guardian) (Date)

NYSSMA Statement on Virtual Evaluation System

By registering students for the NYSSMA Virtual Evaluation System, you
acknowledge that the student’s image and music performance will be stored
electronically with access provided to a NYSSMA Adjudicator for evaluation
purposes. Additionally, the NYSSMA Zone Representative for your area will
access for purposes of review. No other persons will have access to the files
unless needed for NYSSMA purposes of review and quality control. No
person involved in this process can download or save files that are
uploaded. Files will be saved approximately four months after the
conclusion of the NYSSMA festival season.

NYSSMA I/IV