New York State School Music Association

The New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) is the New York affiliate of National Association for Music Education. NYSSMA is a professional organization that evaluates student musicians in New York state from elementary school to high school. Each spring, students register through their school music programs to attend NYSSMA Evaluation Festivals where they are adjudicated.

These festivals take place at local middle and high schools, and state colleges and universities within the fifteen NYSSMA Areas. Usually, county high schools take turns to host the festival every few years.[1]

At each festival, students perform scales, a solo or ensemble piece of their choice from the designated NYSSMA repertoire, and a sight reading piece. The judges score and comment on the students' performances according to defined guidelines set by NYSSMA.

Instruments evaluated include voice, piano, strings, woodwinds/brasses, and percussion. NYSSMA scores and comments are often used by music teachers as diagnostics.

Students who play saxophones, brasses or percussion or sing can choose to be evaluated in NYSSMA Jazz Festival where they have an opportunity to be selected into various jazz ensembles.[2]

Performance groups include All-County, Area All-State (part of New York State),[1][2][3] and All-State.[4]

There are a total of six levels, each with its own level of progressively more challenging repertoire. Each of the judging categories are allotted a set points out of the total. NYSSMA provides sight reading passages of all six levels from a proprietary manual.

References

  1. ^ a b "HIGH SCHOOL MUSICIANS PERFORM AT NYSSMA AREA-ALL STATE FESTIVAL". Warwick Valley Central School District. December 9, 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2026. 11 students, male and female, stand in a row in front of a set of lockers. one has a trombone
  2. ^ a b "Highland High students recognized by NY State School Music Association". Daily Freeman. November 1, 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2026. From left, Highland High School students Jude VanKleeck, Scarlet Lovell, Gisella Shaut, and Ava McNamee. (Photo provided)
  3. ^ "Eight Lakeland Central School District Students Selected for NYSSMA's Area All-State Festival". River Journal. November 4, 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  4. ^ Geise, Tom (November 23, 2025). "Central Valley Academy Hosts All-State Music Festival". WKTV-TV News (Utica). Retrieved 2 March 2026.
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