
The “process” continues with the adjudicator ranking every recommended student by score first, with the 100’s ahead of the 99’s etc. Every student who earns a score of 98-100 must be recommended. At the conclusion of the festival, the All-State adjudicators create a rank ordered proficiency list of all students being recommended. All-State adjudicators are responsible for evaluating every All-State solo of the same instrument or voice part. The All-State selection “process” begins with the solo being evaluated by a NYSSMA Certified All-State adjudicator at one of these designated sites. These zones represent geographic areas within the state and also take into account the student populations within these zones. Typically, over 40 All-State audition sites are scheduled in schools throughout the state. Typically, over 6,500 sophomores and juniors from across the state of New York prepare for All-State evaluations in the hope of being selected. New York State is divided into 15 regional zones by NYSSMA.

The All-State experience begins with a music educator, his or her student and an accompanist spending countless hours preparing a NYSSMA Level VI solo which must be selected from repertoire lists in the current manual. This article outlines the “process” used by our organization in selecting students for participation in the NYSSMA All-State performance groups. How does NYSSMA select these students? This seems like a simple question however the answer is complex. Rehearsals take place in Rochester, NY from Thursday through the Sunday concert during the conference.Įach year in late August approximately 600 students are notified that they are selected to participate in the NYSSMA Conference All-State music groups.

The 5 groups are directed by renowned guest conductors and perform on one of three concerts in the Eastman (Rochester) Theater and Innovations Theater during the annual NYSSMA Winter Conference in late November or early December each year. The All-State bands, chorus, orchestra and jazz ensembles are honors groups comprised of the top students from school music departments across the state.

NYSSMA CONFERENCE ALL-STATE: “THE PROCESS”
