All State Selection
“THE PROCESS”
The All-State bands, chorus, orchestra, and jazz ensembles are honors groups comprised of the top students from school music departments across the state. 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. Rehearsals take place in Rochester, NY from Thursday through the Sunday concert during the conference.
Each year in late August approximately 600 students are notified that they are selected to participate in the NYSSMA Conference All-State music groups. How does NYSSMA select these students? This seems like a simple question however the answer is complex. This article outlines the “process” used by our organization in selecting students for participation in the NYSSMA All-State performance groups.
Up County Festival
May 9-10, 2025
John Jay Middle School
January 17, 2025
Greetings Music Colleagues,
The Katonah-Lewisboro School District is eager to be hosting this year’s Up-County NYSSMA Festival. The festival will be held May 9th & 10th at John Jay Middle School. This festival will be hosting Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Voice and All-State. This festival will NOT include Piano, Strings I-IV, Guitar, Harp or Jazz. Below please find pertinent details regarding the festival:
Up-County Festival Details:
• Location: John Jay Middle School – 40 North Salem Road, Rt 121 Cross River, NY 10518
• Registration Opens: Monday, February 10, 2025
• Registration Closes: Friday, March 28, 2025
• Register On: Da Capo – https://www.dacapomusicfestivals.com/
• Contact: Jennifer Fraczek & Carly Spaeth-Walsh at NYSSMA@klschools.org
• Fees: Levels 1-4: $20 Levels 5-6: $30 All-State: $36
Important Notes:
• If registering with an accompanist (for Voice and/or All-State), please make sure your accompanist is listed in Da Capo
• For All-State auditions, remember to complete the All-State form: https://www.nyssma2.org/allstate_form1.cfm
• Schools must send a single check or purchase order to cover all student fees
• All checks should be made payable to NYSSMA
• All checks should be sent to:
Jennifer Fraczek – NYSSMA Host
John Jay Middle School
40 North Salem Road, Rt. 121
Cross River, NY 10518
We look forward to seeing our aspiring musicians this Spring!
Sincerely,
Jen Fraczek & Carly Spaeth-Walsh
Up-County Festival Hosts
NYSSMA@klschools.org
Down County Festival
May 16-17, 2025
White Plains High School
January 24, 2025
Greetings Music Colleagues,
The White Plains City School District will be hosting this year’s Down-County NYSSMA Festival. The festival will be held May 16th & 17 th at White Plains High School. This festival will be hosting Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Voice, Strings V-VI, Instrumental & Vocal Jazz, and All-State. This festival will NOT include Piano, Strings I-IV, Harp, or Classical Guitar. Below please find pertinent details regarding the festival:
Down-County Festival Details:
• Location: White Plains High School – 550 North Street, White Plains, NY 10605
• Registration Opens: Monday, February 24, 2025
• Registration Closes: Friday, April 4, 2025
• Register On: Da Capo – https://www.dacapomusicfestivals.com/
• Contact: Gary West at garywest@wpcsd.k12.ny.us
• Fees: Levels 1-4: $20 Levels 5-6: $30 All-State: $36
Important Notes:
• If registering with an accompanist (for Voice and/or All-State), please make sure your accompanist is listed in Da Capo. Do NOT write ‘recording’; only fill in a name if it is a live pianist.
• For All-State auditions, remember to complete the All-State form by April 4: https://www.nyssma2.org/allstate_form1.cfm
• Schools must send a single check or purchase order to cover all student fees
• All checks should be made payable to NYSSMA
• All checks should be sent to:
Gary West – NYSSMA Host
White Plains High School
550 North Street
White Plains, NY 10605
We look forward to seeing our aspiring musicians this Spring!
Sincerely,
Gary West
Down-County Festival Host
garywest@wpcsd.k12.ny.us
