2021 NYSSMA SOLO FESTIVAL INFORMATION (UPDATED 1/23/21)
Everything You Know, is Now Different...
WHAT FOLLOWS IS FOR INSTRUMENTALISTS ONLY. VOCALISTS/GUITARISTS SHOULD CONTACT MRS. PINCUS
---
It is HIGHLY SUGGESTED that a parent read this thru, along with the student.
Below is the information for this year’s NYSSMA Festivals, which will obviously be virtual.
Let me start by saying that the registration process that NYSSMA created for this year was one of the most difficult registration processes that I had ever seen in my 15 years of teaching. It’s like registering for college, APs, and SATs all at the same time, while waiting on line at the DMV. In fact, the process that was created was so challenging, that NYSSMA recently decided that it was impossible to do the sight reading online. They reversed course, and removed the sight reading requirement. So there is NO sight reading this year.
Solo Length – For the 2021 virtual festival season: All repeats and Da Capos are required for level 1-3 solos and ensembles. All repeats and Da Capos are not required for level 4-6 solos and ensembles.
Piano – For the 2021 virtual festival season, piano solos may be performed on electric pianos that have eighty-eight keys, weighted action, and a pedal.
•All-State Drum Set – For the 2021 virtual festival season, ensemble skills will not be required.
Jazz Drumset- PLEASE SEE MR.A
Instrumental Jazz Student Platform Tasks 5 & 6 Task 5: Levels 1-4 / Levels 5-6/ All State: Sax, Trombone, Trumpet, Bass, Guitar, Piano & Vibes: Perform your improvisation requirements as listed on page 9-3 & 9-4 in the NYSSMA Manual. Ensure that you play the head of the tune, the correct number of improvisation choruses (as listed) and then play the head of the tune out till the end. Levels 5/6 & All State Bass Soloists Only: Play the head of the tune, then play two choruses of a walking bass line, followed by the correct number improvisation choruses as listed on page 9-4 in the NYSSMA Manual, and then play the head of the tune out until the end. All State Brass players only. Perform any scale comfortably that demonstrates the top of your range. The scale and improvisation must be one continuous recording. However, you must pause between the scale and improvisation.
Task 6: Drum Set Only. “Styles & Improvisation”. Levels II – IV: & V-VI (non-all state) Perform all three of the following “Grooves”, listed below with a break in between each one. Perform as one continuous recording. Play 4 measures of time followed by 4 measures of improvisation and end on beat one of the ninth measure. Q = Quarter note H = Half note Level II: Swing – Q = 96 Rock – Q = 112 Cha Cha – Q = 116 Level III: Swing – Q = 96 Funk – Q = 84 Cha Cha – Q = 116 Level IV: Swing – Q = 96 Funk – Q = 84 Bossa Nova Q = 96 Level V: Jazz Waltz Q= 152 Rock – Q = 120 Samba – H = 96 Level VI: Fast Swing Q = 184 Funk – Q = 120 Nanigo – Q = 60 All State Only: Perform all three of the following “Grooves” listed below, with a break in between each one. Perform as one continuous recording. Play 8 measures of time, followed by 16 measures of improvisation and end on beat one of measure 25. Fast Swing w/sticks – Q = 240 Linear Funk – Q = 100 Mambo – H = 112
***
Having said that, be prepared, because there are a lot of steps to follow, and if you do anything wrong, it might result in a score of Zero or Comments Only, with no possibility to resubmit. I know this is a lot to read, but it is ALL IMPORTANT.
Also, this information was correct at the time of uploading. If NYSSMA changes their procedure (yet again), I will update this page accordingly. Please check back often for updates.
Because this is all new for me as well, and I want to be sure that I do my part correctly, some deadlines are earlier than usual. Thank you for your understanding.
Here are the Registration and Upload Dates:
REGISTRATION/ CHECK DEADLINE FOR ALL LEVELS AND FESTIVALS- February 22nd.
Levels 1-6 (Non-All State; regular jazz): Video Upload Period- April 13-20.
Level 6 All State: Registration Deadline- Video Upload Period- April 9-16.
AS Jazz (All -State Only): Video Upload Period- April 30-May 7.
Here is the process:
-To register, fill out the Google Form HERE
This form asks for a lot of information, because I will be going into the NYSSMA site and pre-filling in as much information as I can, so that you don’t have to.
-Bring in a check, made out to BMCHSD for the correct amount:
Levels 1-4: $16.00
Levels 5&6: $24.00
Level 6 All State: $30.00
Piano 1-4 $20 5-6 $30
Be sure that the student's name is on the Memo section of the check.
-As we approach the Upload Period, you will be emailed your own individual link and password to the NYSSMA upload site. During the Upload Period, you will also be required to schedule an Uploading Session Appointment with me, in order for us to plug in your solo information, upload your videos and sheet music PDF together.
Here’s what you need for your Uploading Session Appointment:
For those who are fully remote:
Please make arrangements to have a check brought in before the deadline (you can drop it off at the Main Office). Make sure that the student's name is on the envelope.
You will unfortunately need to do the uploading yourself. Please familiarize yourself with the process ahead of time, so that once you are sent your login info, you can submit your files. As some of you are not my current students, you will need to tell me that you are remote when I contact you to schedule your Uploading Session.
Other important information:
All All-State solos must include accompaniment.
The placement of the recording equipment for instrumentalist should allow the recording to provide the adjudicator with an unobstructed view of your posture.
The ONLY video formats that can be submitted are: .mp4, .mov, and WebM files. It is acceptable for any student who is using an iOS device (iPhone/iPad) to submit their videos using Apple’s video format for iOS devices. The maximum file size is 250MB.
Approximately three to four weeks after the upload period closes - the student and the teacher will have access to completed evaluations on the platform.
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.
ONLINE VIDEO DEMO: CLICK HERE
All musicians are eligible to participate in the NYSSMA festival. (Students wishing to audition for All-State must be in tenth or eleventh grade and must be a member in good standing of their High School performing group.) Students are given the opportunity to perform a prepared piece before an adjudicator and receive a written evaluation and grade. For all students, these marks weigh heavily on their acceptance into All-County and All-State organizations for the following school year.
Music should be chosen from the current NYSSMA manual (July 2018 - Edition 32), which is in every school’s music office. All students must register through a school music teacher and may play or sing their selection for the music teacher prior to the festival adjudication if they would like their music teacher’s evaluation.
Everything You Know, is Now Different...
WHAT FOLLOWS IS FOR INSTRUMENTALISTS ONLY. VOCALISTS/GUITARISTS SHOULD CONTACT MRS. PINCUS
---
It is HIGHLY SUGGESTED that a parent read this thru, along with the student.
Below is the information for this year’s NYSSMA Festivals, which will obviously be virtual.
Let me start by saying that the registration process that NYSSMA created for this year was one of the most difficult registration processes that I had ever seen in my 15 years of teaching. It’s like registering for college, APs, and SATs all at the same time, while waiting on line at the DMV. In fact, the process that was created was so challenging, that NYSSMA recently decided that it was impossible to do the sight reading online. They reversed course, and removed the sight reading requirement. So there is NO sight reading this year.
Solo Length – For the 2021 virtual festival season: All repeats and Da Capos are required for level 1-3 solos and ensembles. All repeats and Da Capos are not required for level 4-6 solos and ensembles.
Piano – For the 2021 virtual festival season, piano solos may be performed on electric pianos that have eighty-eight keys, weighted action, and a pedal.
•All-State Drum Set – For the 2021 virtual festival season, ensemble skills will not be required.
Jazz Drumset- PLEASE SEE MR.A
Instrumental Jazz Student Platform Tasks 5 & 6 Task 5: Levels 1-4 / Levels 5-6/ All State: Sax, Trombone, Trumpet, Bass, Guitar, Piano & Vibes: Perform your improvisation requirements as listed on page 9-3 & 9-4 in the NYSSMA Manual. Ensure that you play the head of the tune, the correct number of improvisation choruses (as listed) and then play the head of the tune out till the end. Levels 5/6 & All State Bass Soloists Only: Play the head of the tune, then play two choruses of a walking bass line, followed by the correct number improvisation choruses as listed on page 9-4 in the NYSSMA Manual, and then play the head of the tune out until the end. All State Brass players only. Perform any scale comfortably that demonstrates the top of your range. The scale and improvisation must be one continuous recording. However, you must pause between the scale and improvisation.
Task 6: Drum Set Only. “Styles & Improvisation”. Levels II – IV: & V-VI (non-all state) Perform all three of the following “Grooves”, listed below with a break in between each one. Perform as one continuous recording. Play 4 measures of time followed by 4 measures of improvisation and end on beat one of the ninth measure. Q = Quarter note H = Half note Level II: Swing – Q = 96 Rock – Q = 112 Cha Cha – Q = 116 Level III: Swing – Q = 96 Funk – Q = 84 Cha Cha – Q = 116 Level IV: Swing – Q = 96 Funk – Q = 84 Bossa Nova Q = 96 Level V: Jazz Waltz Q= 152 Rock – Q = 120 Samba – H = 96 Level VI: Fast Swing Q = 184 Funk – Q = 120 Nanigo – Q = 60 All State Only: Perform all three of the following “Grooves” listed below, with a break in between each one. Perform as one continuous recording. Play 8 measures of time, followed by 16 measures of improvisation and end on beat one of measure 25. Fast Swing w/sticks – Q = 240 Linear Funk – Q = 100 Mambo – H = 112
***
Having said that, be prepared, because there are a lot of steps to follow, and if you do anything wrong, it might result in a score of Zero or Comments Only, with no possibility to resubmit. I know this is a lot to read, but it is ALL IMPORTANT.
Also, this information was correct at the time of uploading. If NYSSMA changes their procedure (yet again), I will update this page accordingly. Please check back often for updates.
Because this is all new for me as well, and I want to be sure that I do my part correctly, some deadlines are earlier than usual. Thank you for your understanding.
Here are the Registration and Upload Dates:
REGISTRATION/ CHECK DEADLINE FOR ALL LEVELS AND FESTIVALS- February 22nd.
Levels 1-6 (Non-All State; regular jazz): Video Upload Period- April 13-20.
Level 6 All State: Registration Deadline- Video Upload Period- April 9-16.
AS Jazz (All -State Only): Video Upload Period- April 30-May 7.
Here is the process:
-To register, fill out the Google Form HERE
This form asks for a lot of information, because I will be going into the NYSSMA site and pre-filling in as much information as I can, so that you don’t have to.
-Bring in a check, made out to BMCHSD for the correct amount:
Levels 1-4: $16.00
Levels 5&6: $24.00
Level 6 All State: $30.00
Piano 1-4 $20 5-6 $30
Be sure that the student's name is on the Memo section of the check.
-As we approach the Upload Period, you will be emailed your own individual link and password to the NYSSMA upload site. During the Upload Period, you will also be required to schedule an Uploading Session Appointment with me, in order for us to plug in your solo information, upload your videos and sheet music PDF together.
Here’s what you need for your Uploading Session Appointment:
- A PDF of the scanned original music to upload to the NYSSMA site. Copyright rules still apply, and you are expected to have an original of your music, which you need to scan beforehand and have as a PDF. (If you don't have a scanner- we have one in the band room- please bring a thumb drive)
- Your video of your solo performance. See below for the technical requirements of the video.
- As mentioned earlier, Sight Reading has been eliminated until we return to in-person NYSSMA Festivals.
- SCALES/RUDIMENTS: Please download this PDF to see what scale video you must upload
For those who are fully remote:
Please make arrangements to have a check brought in before the deadline (you can drop it off at the Main Office). Make sure that the student's name is on the envelope.
You will unfortunately need to do the uploading yourself. Please familiarize yourself with the process ahead of time, so that once you are sent your login info, you can submit your files. As some of you are not my current students, you will need to tell me that you are remote when I contact you to schedule your Uploading Session.
Other important information:
All All-State solos must include accompaniment.
The placement of the recording equipment for instrumentalist should allow the recording to provide the adjudicator with an unobstructed view of your posture.
The ONLY video formats that can be submitted are: .mp4, .mov, and WebM files. It is acceptable for any student who is using an iOS device (iPhone/iPad) to submit their videos using Apple’s video format for iOS devices. The maximum file size is 250MB.
Approximately three to four weeks after the upload period closes - the student and the teacher will have access to completed evaluations on the platform.
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.
ONLINE VIDEO DEMO: CLICK HERE
All musicians are eligible to participate in the NYSSMA festival. (Students wishing to audition for All-State must be in tenth or eleventh grade and must be a member in good standing of their High School performing group.) Students are given the opportunity to perform a prepared piece before an adjudicator and receive a written evaluation and grade. For all students, these marks weigh heavily on their acceptance into All-County and All-State organizations for the following school year.
Music should be chosen from the current NYSSMA manual (July 2018 - Edition 32), which is in every school’s music office. All students must register through a school music teacher and may play or sing their selection for the music teacher prior to the festival adjudication if they would like their music teacher’s evaluation.