
The student is only given the first note. And just so you know, sight-singing involves singing a short piece of novel music without any music being played.
#NYSSMA CONFERENCE 2018 PROFESSIONAL#
When we work with a NYSSMA student at Professional Voice Care Center, we use our systematic approach to development of excellent sight-singing skills. That’s why private instruction may be helpful, especially if your child is having any difficulty with his/her singing voice.

Even if there are NYSSMA lessons in your child’s school, there may not be ample individual attention given to singing technique. School music teachers are often over-burdened with concert schedules, small group instruction, directing the school musical, and handling other special programs and assemblies as they come up. Now it’s true that many of our fine Long Island school choral directors have NYSSMA preparation classes, but some schools are unable to offer this service. We always require our voice students to get final approval from their school chorus teacher). They will know more about any recent changes in NYSSMA rules and regulations and song choices, even sooner than a private teacher might. (DISCLAIMER: The best place to go for answers to specific questions regarding NYSSMA requirements is your child’s school music teacher or department chairperson. (All vocalists except All-State Level 6 are permitted to have their solo transposed as needed). This wonderful resource even allows you to order the music transposed to a different key at no additional cost. Illegal photocopies are not permitted at the NYSSMA evaluation, but you can order legal sheet music online through sites such as. It’s very frustrating to wait too long and find out that the music is out of stock. (2 copies of the music are advisable but not always needed check the NYSSMA Parents & Students page link above for more info). (Professional Voice Care Center maintains a list of accompanists).Īt the risk of overstating the obvious, you also need to obtain the sheet music or music book for your child’s NYSSMA evaluation, in the correct key and the required arrangement or version, well in advance. Good accompanists get booked up fast! Your school or Facebook can be a source of accompanists, as well as a piano teacher you may already know. A word to the wise: arrange for an accompanist well in advance of your child’s NYSSMA date. And if you use recorded or electronic accompaniment, you are responsible for bringing your own equipment to play it on).
#NYSSMA CONFERENCE 2018 HOW TO#
This page will give you information about the nature of the performance evaluation, how to register your child (this can only be done through the music program in your child’s school, either by his/her music teacher or the head of the school’s music department), what Conference All-State is, whether your child needs an accompanist (singers only need an accompanist for All-State Level 6 all other singing levels may use recorded or electronic accompaniment, but accompanists are highly recommended for vocalists. Planning ahead is the best defense against last-minute catastrophes.

Our goal is to take the stress out of this process, while preparing the student for success. ?Īs you may know, NYSSMA can be a wonderful scholarly musical experience, but it can also be a source of stress for students and parents alike. How does NYSSMA actually work? What do I need to do? And what’s All-State? Now what?” No worries: now is NOT the time to panic. And all I ever hear him/her sing around the house is rock or pop music. In fact, I’m not even sure if he/she can read music well enough.
You look at the forms and immediately get that helpless feeling of “Uh-oh what do I do now? My child has never even taken singing lessons. Your child has come home from school and announced that he/she would like to participate in the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Festival voice evaluations for this coming spring.
