HMEA stands for Hampton Music Educator's Association.  It hosts a festival for 6th-8th Grade that includes chorus, band, world drumming and orchestra.  The rehearsals are held in January. Please see the HMEA website for more information.  Please use these practice tracks for chorus. 

 

NYSSMA, New York State School Music Association, hosts numerous solo and ensemble festivals throughout the year.  You can find out more about the organization  here. 

 

• What is a NYSSMA festival? 
• NYSSMA sponsors approximately 145 solo & small ensemble and major ensemble festivals in New York State each spring.  At solo and small ensemble festivals, students are given a performance evaluation that involves playing a graded solo from the NYSSMA Manual, playing scales and sight reading.
• How do I register my child? 
• All NYSSMA registration is done through the student’s school music program.  Information regarding scheduling & fees will be sent home at a later date.
• Is this a competition? 
• NYSSMA festivals (other than for All-State) are evaluations, not competitions. Students may compete with themselves from year to year, but NYSSMA does not view festivals as competitive. 
• What music can be played? 
• Students who desire a rating must choose a graded solo from the NYSSMA Manual.  (Quogue Elementary has the current manual)
• Who are the adjudicators? 
• NYSSMA adjudicators are professional teacher/musicians who have received instruction on the NYSSMA adjudication system. 
• Why do NYSSMA?
• Practicing for NYSSMA will strengthen your music skills.  If you earn a high rating you will be recommended for local music festivals SCMEA (5-6) and/or HMEA (6-8) the following school year.

 

Please follow these guidelines for NYSSMA:

PRACTICE!  Although you will be taught the piece in lessons/Chamber Choir, every student is expected to practice regularly in preparation for the festival.  It is the STUDENT'S responsiblity to learn the music thoroughly.  You may consider taking private lessons to further prepare yourself for NYSSMA.

Dress to impress

Purchase one original copy of music. 

Practice Practice Practice!!!  

It is crucial that students are practicing their solos, sight-reading, and scales (for instrumentalists) regularly. Please ask your child to perform for you. The more prepared you are, the less stressful and more rewarding the experience will be.

 

NYSSMA Requirements: Each instrumental solo has specific requirements.

Please observe: Brass, Woodwind and Mallet Percussion

1. Scales (1 octave) from memory

Level I & II - 3 Scales

Level III & IV - 7 Scales 

2. Performance of solo from current manual

3. Sight-reading

 

Voice

1. Performance of solo from current manual

2. Sight-reading

 

Piano

1. Scales from memory

Level I - 3 Scales, 1 octave, hands separately or together

Level II - 3 Scales, 2 octave, hands separately or together

Level III & IV - 7 Scales, 3 octaves in various rhythms, hands together 

2. Performance of solo from current manual

3. Sight-reading

 

Percussion (Snare Drum ) 1. Required rudiments (see manual or your music teacher for a rudiment sheet) 2. Long roll (as per level requirement) 3. Performance of solo from current manual 4. Sight-reading

 

 

Traditionally 4th Graders play Level I, 5th Grade Level I/II, and 6th Grade II/III.  You must receive an Outstanding rating on Level II to move on to Level III.

 

I need the following information to register you for NYSSMA:

Student’s Name, School Grade, Voice/Instrument Music Level, Title of NYSSMA Solo, Composer, Page in Manual

 

Practice Tracks:

Please visit this school's website for the accompaniment to "My Favorite Things" "Rainbow Connection" "Over the Rainbow" and "In My Own Little Corner."  NYSSMA accomp.

 

Please visit this school's website for the accompaniment to "Edelweiss" "Do Re Mi" and "My Favorite Things."   Sound of Music accomp.

 

Vocal Solos

Level 1: "Edelweiss"

http://www.jwpepper.com/The-Sound-of-Music/4909297.item#.VMEAC1rdIa

Level 1: "Do Re Mi"

http://www.jwpepper.com/Do-Re-Mi/9570076.item

Level II: Option 1: "My Favorite Things" 

 http://www.jwpepper.com/The-Sound-of-Music/4909297.item#.VMEAC1rdIas

https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0045647

https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/my-favorite-things-digital-sheet-music/19429215

Level II:  "That's an Irish Lullaby"  

Easy Songs for the Beginning Mezzo Soprano/Alto

 http://www.jwpepper.com/Easy-Songs-for-Beginning-Singers/5907415.item#.VMD_FFrdIa

Level II:  "Where is Love?"

Kid's Broadway Songbook

http://www.jwpepper.com/Kids%27-Broadway-Songbook/5209747.item#.VtRmfum9-lk

Level III: "Look to the Rainbow" 

https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0051775

Clarinet Level 2: Chanson Moderne: Hovey

http://www.jwpepper.com/Chanson-Moderne/4585071.item#.VMZhVlrdIas

Alto Sax Level 2: Hunter's Chorus 

http://www.jwpepper.com/Hunter%27s-Chorus/4587499.item#.VRsce3rdIas

Alto Sax Level 2: The Swan

http://www.jwpepper.com/Swan-Alto-Saxophone-Solo/4587689.item#.VMFOLFrdIas

Alto Saxophone Level 3: "Album Leaf" Edward Grieg 

Solos for the Alto Saxophone Player Larry Teal

http://www.jwpepper.com/Solos-for-the-Alto-Saxophone-Player/432187.item#.VMEA61rdIas

Trumpet Level 1:

Little March from Standard of Excellence Festival Solos Book 2 by Bruce Pearson 

http://www.jwpepper.com/Festival-Solos/5990650.item#.VMEBAlrdIas

Trumpet Level 2:  

Standard of Excellence Festival Solos Book 2 by Bruce Pearson 

http://www.jwpepper.com/Festival-Solos/5990650.item#.VMEBAlrdIas

French Horn Level 3:  Ave Maria Gounod, arr. Eric Hauser http://www.jwpepper.com/Ave-Maria-Horn-Solo/4594693.item#.VLgVxlrdIas

Percussion Level 3: Winning Snare Drum Solos for the Beginner: T Brown

http://www.jwpepper.com/Winning-Snare-Drum-Solos/5897095.item#.VLgcZlrdIas