What is NYSSMA?
NYSSMA stands for New York State School Music Association.
Why is NYSSMA important?
New York State sponsors a solo & ensemble contest and evaluation festival every year. Which gives students the opportunity to perform in front of a judge to be graded on several different aspects of music and performance. This affords the opportunity for the student to not only see what areas may need improvement, it also gets them in the habit of being judged for future auditions for things like college.
One result of doing well at a NYSSMA solo is the opportunity for being selected for  placement in advanced performance groups like; All-District, All-County and All-State.
NYSSMA is not only for instrumental students, but for voice as well. For Classical as well as jazz.