Farmingdale High School is pleased to have 11 students including seven ensemble students and four alternates selected for All State and All National performing groups.
The New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) sponsors an annual festival where students play a prepared piece and receive a rating. NYSSMA levels range from 1 to 6, with level six being the most difficult. Many students start this evaluation process in fifth or sixth grade. For each NYSSMA level the music is more demanding and students are judged on every aspect of performance including tone quality, technique, musicianship, interpretation, musicality, dynamics and sight-reading ability. When students reach tenth grade, they become eligible to compete for the All-State and All-National audition if they have achieved outstanding proficiency on Level Six music literature. The competition is very rigorous because students from across every county of New York State compete against each other.
Only the most talented and accomplished performers are chosen. These students play a piece for an adjudicator who issues a score and evaluation sheet. Then privately the judges make a recommendation to the state and national committees.
Students also need recommendations from their ensemble director, music administrator and high school principal. Receiving the nomination to All State and All National is an extremely high honor but being accepted only marks the beginning of much preparation. Students receive their music in October and must have it completely learned for the October All National conference or the December NYSSMA conference. They arrive at each conference and have intense rehearsals for three days with the All State and All National concerts culminating their experience. Farmingdale High School is mot proud of its All State and All National sutdents as well as its alternates.
—Submitted by Farmingdale Fine Arts Director Rita Padden
