• NYSSMA 2023 Information

    What Is NYSSMA?

    NYSSMA stands for the New York State School Music Association. This organization is responsible for sponsoring research studies and professional development involving music education throughout the state, as well as coordinating advocacy efforts, hosting and sponsoring conferences, scholarships, and competitions, and finally, solo and ensemble festivals. You can find more information on the "About Us" section of the NYSSMA web page, linked here. 

    When people talk about ‘doing NYSSMA,’ they are usually referring to performing at a NYSSMA festival. Other opportunities are provided as well. See below for more details.

     

    What is a NYSSMA Festival?

    The NYSSMA Festivals appear throughout the State of New York. We at SMS participate in festivals here in Westchester. Usually, there are about a few thousand students that choose to perform at each NYSSMA festival, which means an enormous amount of students from the state participate each year.

    How do I register?

    Your child's music teacher will let you know when registration is open.

    More experiences offered to students!

    NYSSMA Piano Showcase: The showcase features select student pianists each year in Rochester, NY at the annual NYSSMA conference, which includes the All-State festival and a professional conference for NY's music educators. For a student to be considered, they must perform a level 6 NYSSMA solo at a solo festival, earn a score of 100, and have performed from memory. In addition, the adjudicator and school music teacher make a recommendation to NYSSMA on behalf of the student to qualify them for participation. 

     

    NYSSMA Student Composers

    NYSSMA Student Electronic Music Composers

    Student Songwriters

    2025 NYSSMA Dates

    NYSSMA Piano Festival:
    March 28-29, 2025
    Location: Byram Hills HS

    NYSSMA Strings Festival:
    April 4-5, 2025
    Strings I-IV, plus all levels of harp, and classical guitar
    Location: Valhalla HS

    NYSSMA Up-County/Jazz Solo Festival:
    May 9-10, 2025
    Including instrumental and vocal jazz
    Location: John Jay MS in Katonah-Lewisboro

    NYSSMA Down-County Solo Festival:
    May 16-17, 2025
    Location: White Plains HS