NYSSMA - Piano and Solo

NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) 

Every year there are NYSSMA festivals held across the state for piano, majors (large ensemble), and solo or small ensemble. Pieces are selected from the NYSSMA Manual (ed. 2018) and performed in front of a NYSSMA adjudicator for a score or comments only  Participation in the NYSSMA Solo and Small Ensemble Festival can help students earn an invitation to perform in honor ensembles including All-County, Area All-State, All-State, NYSBDA Honor Band and more. This year we are offering students the opportunity to participate in the following two festivals:

NYSSMA Piano Festival: March 13 - 14, 2026 SUNY Schenectady Community College
(Click on the Piano NYSSMA tab above for more information)

NYSSMA Solo and Small Ensemble Festival: May 8 - 9, 2026 Mechanicville MS-HS

NYSSMA Piano Festival

The NYSSMA Piano Festival is open to all students who study piano. Students prepare and perform a solo out of the NYSSMA Manual, scales and a sight reading example in front of a NYSSMA Adjudicator.

How to Participate:

1. Registration will be open from December 1 - January 17, 2026
    
2. You must register with your student's school district - contact Mr. Brian Retersdorf at bretersdorf@bscsd.org
    
3. Complete the Ballston Spa NYSSMA Piano Solo Festival Form.  To complete the form, you will need the following information:
   solo level (1 - 6), title of the solo, name of the composer, name of the arranger (if there is one), and piano teacher's name and contact information. You will also indicate which payment method you will be using at the end of the form.
   
   * NEW Payment Options, registration time frame and updated registrations fees:
4. NEW! Payment can be done either online through Ludus or by check. 
   The online payment option can also be found in the Ballston Spa NYSSMA Piano Festival Form found in step 3. There is a 5% fee plus service fee making the total online payment for levels 1 - 4 =$28.05 and levels 5 - 6 =$38.55.
   
   Checks are to be made out to BSHS with your student's name and NYSSMA in the memo. Levels 1 - 4 is $26.00 and 5 - 6 is $36.00. Checks can be delivered to Mr. Retersdorf at the High School or mailed to:
   
   Ballston Spa High School
   Brian Retersdorf - Music
   220 Ballston Ave
   Ballston Spa, NY 12020
    
5. Mr. Retersdorf will confirm receipt of the payment and festival form via email. He will then register your student for the festival. Your child cannot be registered unless the payment has been received.
    

For questions about the NYSSMA Piano Festival please contact Mr. Retersdorf at bretersdorf@bscsd.org
Click here to join our Piano Festival Mailing List where you will receive registration reminders, information about the NYSSMA Piano Festival, location, host site information and more.