NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association)

All New York State students are eligible to apply this State Music Test each year.

Why should my child participate in a NYSSMA Adjudication Festival?

 *NYSSMA standards of adjudication are understood and recognized by college and university admissions officers.

*If your child’s application states, “I play first clarinet in my high school band which was last year awarded a Level 6 Gold Recognition at a NYSSMA Festival”, or, “I played a level 6 solo and received an A rating”, specific information about your child’s achievement and abilities are known.

*Success in music performance doesn’t only indicate that your child has talent. It shows a willingness to spend a significant amount of time, energy and effort over a long period of time to reach a high level of performance.

*Success in musical performance is an indicator of good work habits, persistence and tenaciousness.

*Success as a performer has been characterized as 10% talent and 90% HARD WORK AND PRACTICE! Achievement in musical performance demonstrates that the student knows how to work.

A NYSSMA rating validates musical achievement.  Admissions officers understand –

“The arts are clearly an integral part of life at Harvard.  We look for students whose previous participation in the arts shows that they can make a substantial contribution to our community.”  –  William F. Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions, Harvard University  

New York State School Music Association 2020

Schwab, Zone 12 (Queens, NYC) Representative

E-mail: zone12@nyssma.org 

Phone/text: 516-680-7934

Spring 2020 Solo and Majors Ensemble Festivals


PLEASE NOTE:  

Fee schedule for Solo and Major Ensemble Festivals for the 2020 festival season are as follows:


Solo Festival

Solo and Small Ensemble Level 1 – 4:   $16

Piano Solo Level 1 – 4:       $22

Solo and Small Ensemble Level 5 – 6:   $24

Piano Solo Level 5 – 6:                 $30

All-State Solo:                 $30

Major Organization Festival

Level 1 – 3:             $150

Level 4:   $180

Level 5 – 6:             $225

**NEW NYSSMA MANUAL, Edition 32, is in effect (as of 7/31/18).  Please refer to the NYSSMA website for the latest information.  Manuals may be purchased through the NYSSMA website.**


**All Vocal solos MUST have an accompanist.  This may be a pianist or a recorded accompaniment.  If the vocal soloist performs without accompaniment, the soloist will 

be adjudicated with “Comments Only” (no NYSSMA rating).**


**Teachers should register their students at a festival within their school borough.  If you wish to register your students at a festival outside of your school borough, please contact the zone representative.**

**ANY QUESTIONS. . . . PLEASE CONTACT THE ZONE REPRESENTATIVE – Maria Schwab, zone12@nyssma.org; 516-680-7934**



Solo Festivals (by borough):


Bronx: 

Dates: Friday and Saturday March 20 - 21, 2020                                               

Place: Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music at Walton HS Campus                                                

2780 Reservoir Avenue, Bronx NY 10468                                                                       

All-State, Solos, Small ensembles, Vocal Jazz, Instrumental Jazz                                                             

Host: Penelope Smetters-Jacono, psmette@schools.nyc.gov, 917-251-6143                                                                    

Deadline for application: Friday February 7, 2020                                         

Register at: solochair.com


Brooklyn:

Date: Saturday May 9, 2020

Place: James Madison HS

3787 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11229                                                                           

All-State, Solos, Small Ensembles                                                                               

Host: Genevieve Hynes, ghynes@schools.nyc.gov, 718-758-7200                                          

Deadline for application: Friday March 28, 2020

Register at: dacapomusicfestivals.com


Manhattan:

**IN-HOUSE FESTIVAL**                                                                                        

Dates: Saturday April 4, 2020

Place: Fiorello H. LaGuardia HS of Music and the Performing Arts                                         

100 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023                                                                

Solos, Small Ensembles                                                                                                      

Host: Bernice G. Fleischer, bfleisch@schools.nyc.gov, 212-496-0700 ext 2401               

Deadline for application: Friday February 29, 2020                                                 

Register: by host


**PIANO FESTIVAL**                                                                                          

Date: Thursday June 4, 2020

Place: New York University                                                                                                        

35 West 4th Street – Room 777, New York, NY 10012                                                    

Piano solos                                                                                                                       

Host: Maria Schwab, zone12@nyssma.org, 516-680-7934                                                        

Deadline for application: April 23, 2020

Register at: solochair.com

**Send registration fees to: Maria Schwab, 133 Avenue V, Brooklyn, NY 11223


**SOLO/SMALL ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL**                                                               

Dates: Friday and Saturday March 20 - 21, 2020                                               

Place: Talent Unlimited High School

300 East 68th Street, NY, NY 10065

All-State, Solos, Small Ensembles, Vocal Jazz, Instrumental Jazz                                         

Host: Dr. Peter Holsberg, NYSSMA@tuhs.nyc, 212-737-1530 ext. 8012                                                      

Deadline for application: Friday February 7, 2020                                         

Register at: solochair.com


Queens:

Dates: Friday and Saturday May 29 - 30, 2020                                                     

Place: Corona Arts and Sciences Academy

98—11 44th Avenue, Corona, NY 11368

All-State, Solos, Small Ensembles                                                                                            

Host: Stephen Souza, ssouza@schools.nyc.gov,  516-458-5229                                                 

Deadline for application: April 17, 2020                                               

Register at: dacapomusicfestivals.com


Staten Island:

Dates: Friday and Saturday May 15 – 16, 2020

Place: Tottenville High School     

100 Luten Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10312                                                                          

All-State, Solos, Small Ensembles                                                                                    

Host: David LaMorte, dlamor@schools.nyc.gov, 718-668-8800 ext 41302                       

Deadline for application: April 4, 2020

Register: By host (contact via e-mail)





Major Organizations Festivals (by borough):


Bronx:                                                                                          

Date: Tuesday and Wednesday, May 19 – 20, 2020

Place: Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music at Walton HS Campus                                               

 2780 Reservoir Avenue, Bronx NY 10468                                                                   

Host: Penelope Smetters-Jacono, psmette@schools.nyc.gov, 917-251-6143                                                                    

Deadline for application: March 1, 2020

Register at: NYSSMA.org


Brooklyn:                                                                            

Dates: Thursday and Friday May 14 – 15, 2020

Grand Street Campus High School

850 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Host: Jeff W. Ball, jball3@schools.nyc.gov, 718-662-8802

Deadline for application: March 1, 2019

Register at: NYSSMA.org


Dates: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday May 6-7-8, 2020

Place: Marine Park JHS 278                                                                                            

1925 Stuart Street, Brooklyn, NY 11229                                                                           

Host: Candis L. Pohl, cpohl3@schools.nyc.gov, 718-375-3523                                          

Deadline for application: March 1, 2020

Register at: NYSSMA.org



Staten Island:

Dates: Friday and Saturday May 15 - 16, 2020

Place: Tottenville High School                                                                                                

100 Luten Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10312                                                                          

Host: David LaMorte, dlamor@schools.nyc.gov, 718-668-8800 ext 41302                        

Deadline for application: March 1, 2020

Register at: NYSSMA.org