AREA ALL-STATE (Grades Ten through Twelve)
Because the All-County high school music ensembles are sponsored by NYSSMA (a state-affiliated group) rather than WCSMA (a Westchester County organization), they are called “Area All-State” rather than “All-County” ensembles. The Area All-State band, orchestra, and chorus are open to students in grades ten through twelve. Students are selected for these groups on the basis of their NYSSMA auditions from the preceding school year. Notification of acceptance is received in September of the school year in which the students will participate in the Area All-State festival. Students who are selected for the Area All-State band, orchestra, or chorus will attend two after-school rehearsals and a Saturday rehearsal followed by a concert. Students must participate in all rehearsals in order to be eligible to perform in the concert. The school provides transportation for the after-school rehearsals, but not for the evening performance.
ALL-STATE (Grades 11 & 12 - Grade 10 Audition)
All-State music ensembles are open only to high school juniors and seniors. Students are selected for the All-State band, orchestra, and chorus on the basis of their NYSSMA audition from the previous year. The audition must be declared an “All-State” audition prior to the NYSSMA festival. Students who wish to be considered for All-State must submit a recommendation form from their school music teacher, and a permission slip signed by their parents and the high school principal. Students who audition for All-State must perform a level six solo with piano accompaniment (unless the composition was written to be performed without accompaniment). In addition, they must sight-read, and instrumentalists must play all major scales (one octave).
Only students who receive 99% or 100% on the audition are considered for All-State. In some years, not even a score of 100% has guaranteed selection for All-State! Notification of acceptance is received in September of the year in which the student will participate in All-State. The All-State groups perform in Rochester, at the Eastman School of Music. The school provides a faculty chaperone for the All-State Festival, but does not pay student fees. The festival takes place during the week following Thanksgiving. Students who participate in All-State miss three days of schoolwork. Only exceptional musicians and strong scholars are encouraged to apply for All-State.
WEBSITES
The WCSMA and NYSSMA websites have additional information that may be useful to parents. The websites are found at the following addresses: www.wcsma.org and www.nyssma.org.