Solo and Ensemble

Solo and Ensemble Festival

February 13, 2027

Application Deadline: TBD

Location: TBD

Solo and Ensemble Chairperson – Brendan McWalter

 

Solo and Ensemble REGISTRATION Form 

 

The festival is a unique opportunity for students of all ages and ability levels to perform for an adjudicator without the stress of an audition.  Students have the option of performing for a rating or in a non-competitive setting for feedback only.

If a specific performance time is needed, or you have any questions, please email Brendan McWalter.  Requested accommodations will be met to the best of our ability.

SOLO & ENSEMBLE

RULES & REGULATIONS

The following lists of the general Rules & Regulations for the festival.  

  1. Students performing for a rating must select music from the NYSSMA Manual, Wisconsin, Texas, New England, or Virginia music lists. If a grade level discrepancy exists, the NYSSMA manual will take precedence. Information on how to order a NYSSMA Manual can be found at https://https://www.nyssmamanual.org/ Students wishing to perform for “comments only” may select any piece of music. 
  2. Providing music for adjudicators is optional, but suggested for ensembles. All performers must be reading from originals. PHOTOCOPIES ARE NOT ALLOWED.
  3. Memorization is not required.
  4. There is a time limit.  All instrumental performances are blocked in 12-minute intervals and vocal in 10-minute intervals.  This time frame includes the selected piece(s), scales (when required) and the time for adjudicators to write comments.  Students should plan on a maximum of 6 minutes for their actual performance, realizing the adjudicator will make suitable cuts in the music.
  5. Students will be assigned a warm-up time 10-12 minutes prior to their performance time.
  6. Students participating for a rating will receive a letter grade of A, B, C, or D without the use of pluses or minuses.  Grades will be recorded by level followed by grade (ex: II-B).
  7. Ensembles are limited to sixteen members.  Ensembles of five or less must perform without a conductor.
  8. Scales are required for any student performing an instrumental solo for a rating.  Each student will play 3 major scales from memory ascending and descending at a moderate tempo.  Percussionists will be asked to play specific rudiments.  For a complete list of required scales and rudiments, consult the NYSSMA manual, or contact the chairperson.
  9. One check per school, made payable to NHMEA should accompany all applications.  No refunds will be given for withdrawal from the festival. Performers must be paid in full by the time of the festival.
  10. Students performing for a rating will receive a certificate of participation.  Music directors have the option of ordering medals for those students who receive a rating of “A” or “B”.
  11. All performances are open to the public, and where space available, students are encouraged to listen to other performances.
  12. All performers must be accompanied by a chaperone for the whole time they are in attendance at this festival. Chaperones may not leave the festival site while the student(s) they are responsible for are in attendance. No exceptions. Please refer to the NHMEA Director Attendance Policy.
  13. Performers must meet the requirements in the Student Eligibility Policy.
  14. Refer to the NHMEA ADA & Disability Accommodations Policy if an accommodation is needed for this event.
  15. Improper behavior on the day of the event may be cause for disqualification and/or removal from the event.  This would include, but is not limited to un-sportsmanlike conduct, destruction or theft of property, and smoking in the buildings by participants. 
  16. Scale and rudiment requirements Solo and Ensemble