NYSSMA Solo & Ensemble Catalog

Contests Catalog

Solo & Ensemble Repertoire for New York State's NYSSMA Adjudication & Festivals

Grades 1 through 6 - Click or tap a colored box to see a list of selections for that instrument and level.

Please note this system represents most but not all of the NYSSMA Manual. Please refer to your NYSSMA Manual when selecting music to confirm details. Click Here to order a NYSSMA Manual. Contents subject to change without notice.

Vocal Solos

Click or tap a colored box to see a list of selections for that Grade.

Page listings current as of year ranges shown on each page. This site is not a replacement for your printed NYSSMA Manual. Please consult your NYSSMA Manual for specific requirements for each work. Need a NYSSMA Manual? Click Here to order your copy today.

Grades 1 through 6 - Click or tap a colored box to see a list of selections for that instrument and level.

Please note this system represents most but not all of the NYSSMA Manual. Please refer to your Manual when selecting music to confirm details. Contents subject to change without notice.

New York Grade Levels:
•  Grade 1 & 2 - Elementary
•  Grade 3 & 4 - Intermediate
•  Grade 5 & 6 - Advanced


Frequently Asked Questions regarding NYSSMA:



What is NYSSMA?

NYSSMA (pronounced NISS-muh), is an acronym for "New York State School Music Association." NYSSMA maintains a large, comprehensive listing of solos, chamber ensembles and large ensembles (band, jazz band, orchestra, chorus) graded on a six level scale, with 6 being the highest. (See our Grading page for a rough guide to what the levels mean). Solo festivals are held throughout New York State in the second semester. The purpose of the festivals is to provide evaluations of performances by independant judges. The solo festivals are also used to determine eligibility for the various All State ensembles. Okay


What piece should I play?

That is up to you and your music teacher. Choose a piece you will enjoy learning and that best fits your ability level. NYSSMA Evaluation Festival solos are split into six levels of difficulty, with the 6th level being the most difficult (see our Grading page for a rough guide to what the levels mean). If you are also planning to audition for an All-State ensemble, you must play a Level 6 piece, along with all other requirements for the audition. Any solo that is played at the Conference needs to be listed in the NYSSMA Manual and performed as listed. Okay


What is the NYSSMA Manual?

The NYSSMA Manual is essentially a large list of acceptable pieces of music that can be played at a NYSSMA Festival. The listing of solos is updated every three to four years, with some titles added and others dropped. Therefore, it is important that your instructor check the Manual to be sure that your piece still qualifies as a NYSSMA Solo. In addition, it contains the bylaws of the organization, rules for Festival performance, and criteria for sight reading. The Manual is comprehensive and highly regarded, and as such is used by many other states and organizations besides New York. NYSSMA Manuals are available for sale at Hickeys should you wish to purchase one. Please see our Music Education Textbook page to place an order. Okay


Do I need to buy my own NYSSMA Manual?

No. Your school teacher and/or private instructor should have a current Manual that they can refer to. It is not required for parents and students to have their own copy. But, if you want to order one, you can do so by clicking here. Okay


What editions are acceptable?

According to NYSSMA Regulations, the publishers/editions listed in the Manual are recommendations because of high quality editing. However, any standard edition by a reputable publisher is acceptable and will be permitted (see footnote 1) so long as the piece has not been shortened, simplified, rearranged or the key changed. There is a good deal of confusion on this point as many people, including some teachers, are unaware of this provision for alternate editions. Always check with your instructor before ordering your piece in case they have a preference or recommendation. Okay


What information do I need when ordering my piece?

At the very least, please be able to provide Composer, Title and Instrument. Additionally, it is helpful if you also know opus number and key, Arranger/Editor, Publisher and number of copies needed. It is best if you write this information down exactly as it appears in the Manual. Okay


Can I use photocopies at the performance?

No, unless there are very specific extenuating circumstances. According to NYSSMA Regulations and U.S. Copyright Law, all participants are prohibited from using illegally copied music (i.e. photocopies) unless your instructor presents a letter to the proper NYSSMA Zone Representative from the publisher granting permission. Please note that letters from teachers or music stores claiming that the music is on order or otherwise unavailable are not acceptable to NYSSMA judges (see footnote 2). Okay


How many copies of my piece do I need?

All soloists are required to have at least one complete legal copy with them at the performance (see footnote 3). This is true even if you are performing from memory, as a copy will still be needed by the adjudicators. If you are performing a work that calls for piano accompaniment, but you are playing without piano, you can give the piano part to the adjudicators. If you do not provide a legal copy for the adjudicator, they will be forced to look at the music over your shoulder during the performance (which may contribute to a shaky performance). If you are reading off of the solo part and you have an accompanist, it is highly recommended that you have a separate legal copy for the adjudicator. Okay


Do I need to have a pianist to play the piano part?

Yes & No. You are not required to have the piano part performed unless you are also auditioning for All State. NYSSMA rules allow performances of works published with piano to be performed without a piano accompaniment. However, if you are also auditioning for All State, the piano part must be performed either by a live pianist or via a good recording*. If you are not auditioning for All State, then the piano part is optional. If you do choose to include the piano part, you must bring your own piano player, as NYSSMA does not provide pianists. It is important that you inform NYSSMA well in advance of your intention to use a piano player so that an instrument is made available. This is done when you fill out the sign-up form.

 * excludes original unaccompanied works—those that were written for solo instrument alone without any piano part. Okay


Can I bring a recording of the piano part instead?

Yes. NYSSMA rules allow the use of recorded piano tracks so long as the soloist brings with them all the needed sound equipment. NYSSMA does not provide any playback equipment or playback recordings. Okay


When should I purchase my solo?

As early as possible—as soon as you know you will be performing a certain work, you should order it. If it is not in stock, we will have to order it from the publisher. If the work turns out to be permanently out of print or will not be delivered in time for your performance, you will then have plenty of time to choose another work and practice it. However, if you wait until it is too late, you may be unable to participate in the Festival. Whatever you decide, don't wait until the performance is immenant—there are dozens of perfectly legitimate reasons why orders can be delayed late in the season. Okay


Where should I purchase my music?

This one is easy! Since you're here visiting our website, www.hickeys.com, we invite you to place your order with us too. Unlike many music stores, we routinely stock hundreds of NYSSMA and other solos. And, we are well rehearsed in obtaining those we do not have in stock. We do not report a solo as being "out of print" just because it's hard to get. Rather, we'll use all of our skills and tools to locate your music and get it to you as fast as we can. Use the links above to choose your instrument's or ensemble's grade page and pick your music. Okay


I don't see the piece I want to play listed on your website. Can I still get it?

That depends. We list a large portion of the works in the NYSSMA Manual here, but not all. Some are not listed because they are difficult to obtain quickly, or are simply unavailable (out of print, etc.). You can order any solo or ensemble work you see in the NYSSMA Manual by calling us or using our Custom Order page instead. Okay


How do I order NYSSMA solos from your website?

Use the links at the top of this page. NYSSMA solos are also integrated into our general listings as well. However, none are identified as NYSSMA solos in the general listings. In some cases, the grade shown on our general listing will be different than the NYSSMA pages above. Only the links above will isolate NYSSMA solos for you. Please Note: it is NOT required that you use the exact edition specified in the NYSSMA Manual. Instead, NYSSMA Regulations state that you may use any standard edition of a work so long as the edition is not diminished (simplified). We can be of assistance in these cases. (See "What Editions Are Acceptable" above for more info.) Okay


My Question is Not Shown—Please Help!

If you have a question not listed here, please feel free to e-mail us at info@hickeys.com. Please allow a few days for us to respond to your question, as we receive and respond to hundreds of messages daily. If you need an immediate answer, please call us during our regular business hours (shown below) and we'll do what we can to help. Okay

1. per NYSSMA Manual; Rules & Regulations/General: C:1:a. Okay
2. per NYSSMA Manual; Rules & Regulations/General: F:1. Okay
3. per NYSSMA Manual; Rules & Regulations/General: F:2. Okay

Policies Subject to Change Without Notice

Woodwind Instrumentation Codes

Following many of the titles in our Wind Ensemble catalog, you will see a set of numbers enclosed in square brackets, as in this example:

Description Price
Rimsky-Korsakov
Quintet in Bb [1011-1 w/piano]
Item: 26746		 $28.75

The bracketed numbers tell you the precise instrumentation of the ensemble. The first number stands for Flute, the second for Oboe, the third for Clarinet, the fourth for Bassoon, and the fifth (separated from the woodwinds by a dash) is for Horn. Any additional instruments (Piano in this example) are indicated by "w/" (meaning "with") or by using a plus sign.

Flute   Oboe   Clarinet   Bassoon   —   Horn

This woodwind quartet is for 1 Flute, no Oboe, 1 Clarinet, 1 Bassoon, 1 Horn and Piano.

Sometimes there are instruments in the ensemble other than those shown above. These are linked to their respective principal instruments with either a "d" if the same player doubles the instrument, or a "+" if an extra player is required. Whenever this occurs, we will separate the first four digits with commas for clarity. Thus a double reed quartet of 2 oboes, english horn and bassoon will look like this:

0,2+1,0,1-0

Note the "2+1" portion means "2 oboes plus english horn"

Titles with no bracketed numbers are assumed to use "Standard Instrumentation." The following is considered to be Standard Instrumentation:

Brass Instrumentation Codes

Following many of the titles in our Brass Ensemble catalog, you will see a set of five numbers enclosed in square brackets, as in this example:

Description Price
Copland
Fanfare for the Common Man [343.01 w/tympani]
Item: 02158		 $14.95

The bracketed numbers tell you how many of each instrument are in the ensemble. The first number stands for Trumpet, the second for Horn, the third for Trombone, the fourth (separated from the first three by a dot) for Euphonium and the fifth for Tuba. Any additional instruments (Tympani in this example) are indicated by a "w/" (meaning "with") or by using a plus sign.

Trumpet     Horn     Trombone   .   Euphonium     Tuba

Thus, the Copland Fanfare shown above is for 3 Trumpets, 4 Horns, 3 Trombones, no Euphonium, 1 Tuba and Tympani. There is no separate number for Bass Trombone, but it can generally be assumed that if there are multiple Trombone parts, the lowest part can/should be performed on Bass Trombone.

Titles listed in our catalog without bracketed numbers are assumed to use "Standard Instrumentation." The following is considered to be Standard Instrumentation:

People often ask us about "PJBE" or "Philip Jones" instrumentation. This is a special instrumentation adopted and perfected by the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. It consists of the forces 414.01, and often includes Percussion and/or Tympani. In addition, there are often doublings in the Trumpet section - Piccolo and Flugelhorn being the most common. While this instrumentation has come to be common, it is still not "Standard" as many Brass Dectets use very different forces, most often with more Horns than PJBE.

String Instrumentation Codes

Following many of the titles in our String Ensemble catalog, you will see a set of four numbers enclosed in square brackets, as in this example:

Description Price
Atwell
Vance's Dance [0220]
Item: 32599		 $8.95

These numbers tell you how many of each instrument are in the ensemble. The first number stands for Violin, the second for Viola, the third for Cello, and the fourth for Double Bass. Thus, this string quartet is for 2 Violas and 2 Cellos, rather than the usual 2110. Titles with no bracketed numbers are assumed to use "Standard Instrumentation." The following is considered to be Standard Instrumentation:

Orchestra & Band Instrumentation Codes

Following some titles in our Orchestra & Band catalogs, you will see a numeric code enclosed in square brackets, as in these examples:

  Order Qty Description Price
Beethoven
Symphony No 1 in C, op 21
[2,2,2,2-2,2,0,0, tymp, 44322] 		$150.00
Jones
Wind Band Overture
[2+1,1,3+ac+bc,2,SATB-2+2,4,3+1,1, tymp, percussion, double bass] 		$85.00
MacKenzie
Hines Pond Fantasy (DePaolo)
[2d1+1,1,2+1,1-2,2(+2),3,0, perc, tymp, 44322, Eb clarinet, SAATB saxes, trombone solo] 		$75.00

The bracketed numbers tell you the precise instrumentation of the ensemble. The system used above is standard in the orchestra music field. The first set of numbers (before the dash) represent the Woodwinds. The set of numbers after the dash represent the Brass. Percussion is abbreviated following the brass. Strings are represented with a series of five digits representing the quantity of each part (first violin, second violin, viola, cello, bass). Other Required and Solo parts follow the strings:

Woodwinds—Brass,   Percussion,   Strings,   Other

Principal auxilary instruments (piccolo, english horn, bass clarinet, contrabassoon, wagner tuba, cornet & euphonium) are linked to their respective instruments with either a "d" if the same player doubles the auxiliary instrument, or a "+" if an extra player is required. Instruments shown in parenthesis are optional and may be omitted.

Example 1 - Beethoven:

[2,2,2,2-2,2,0,0, tymp, 44322]

The Beethoven example is typical of much Classical and early Romantic fare. In this case, the winds are all doubled (2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets and 2 bassoons), and there are two each horns and trumpets. There is no low brass. There is tympani. Strings are a standard 44322 configuration (4 first violin, 4 second violin, 3 viola, 2 cello, 2 bass). Sometimes strings are simply listed as "str," which means 44322 strings.

Example 2 - Jones: (concert band/wind ensemble example)

[2+1,1,3+ac+bc,2,SAATB-2+2,4,3+1,1, tymp, percussion, double bass]

The second example is common for a concert band or wind ensemble piece. This ficticious work is for 2 flutes (plus piccolo), 1 oboe, 3 clarinets plus alto and bass clarinets, 2 bassoons, 5 saxes (soprano, 2 altos, tenor & bari), 2 trumpets (plus 2 cornets), 3 trombones, euphonium, tuba, tympani, percussion and double bass. Note the inclusion of the saxes after bassoon for this band work. Note also that the separate euphonium part is attached to trombone with a plus sign. For orchestral music, saxes are at the end (see Saxophones below. It is highly typical of band sets to have multiple copies of parts, especially flute, clarinet, sax, trumpet, trombone & percussion. Multiples, if any, are not shown in this system. The numbers represent only distinct parts, not the number of copies of a part.

Example 3 - MacKenzie: (a fictional work, by the way).

[2d1+1,1,2+1,1-2,2(+2),3,0, perc, tymp, 66432, Eb clarinet, SAATB saxes, trombone solo]

In the third example, we have a rather extreme use of the system. It is an orchestral work for piccolo, 2 flutes (1 of whom doubles on piccolo), 1 oboe, 2 clarinets plus an additional bass clarinet, 1 bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets (plus an optional 2 cornets), 3 trombones, no tuba, percussion, tympani, 6 first violins, 6 second violins, 4 violas, 3 cellos, 2 double basses, Eb clarinet (as an additional chair, not doubled), 5 saxes (soprano, 2 alto, tenor & baritone) & a trombone soloist.

Note: This system lists Horn before Trumpet. This is standard orchestral nomenclature. Unless otherwise noted, we will use this system for both orchestra and band works (in most band scores, Trumpet precedes Horn, and sometimes Oboe & Bassoon follow Clarinet). Also, it should be noted that Euphonium can be doubled by either Trombone or Tuba. Typically, orchestra scores have the tuba linked to euphonium, but it does happen where Trombone is the principal instead.

Saxophones, when included in orchestral music (they rarely are) will be shown in the "other instrument" location after strings and before the soloist, if any. However for band music, they are commonly present and therefore will be indicated after bassoon as something similar to "SAATB" where S=soprano, A=alto, T=tenor and B=baritone. Letters that are duplicated (as in A in this example) indicate multiple parts.

And finally, here is one more way to visualize the above code sequence: