Director of Adjudicators
Director of Adjudicators
David Minelli
dminelli@swr.k12.ny.us
Becoming a Certified NYSSMA Adjudicator
Each year, NYSSMA sanctioned evaluation festivals hear almost 100,000 student performances from across New York State. Musicians from primary grades through high school prepare an approved solo from the NYSSMA manual, prepare specific scales and are asked to sight read music at these evaluation. Adjudicators write constructive comments and score students in specific areas of their performance. Many county music organizations use the scores of these evaluations in determining the students accepted into their area all-state music festivals. In addition, more than 5,000 sophomore and juniors perform at these festivals for a chance to be chosen for the highly selective Conference All-State ensembles at which NYSSMA bring in nationally recognized conductors, culminating in an exciting concert in the Eastman Theater at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester. As you can see, there is tremendous personal satisfaction in being able to provide encouragement and guidance for these young musicians as an adjudicator.
NYSSMA is always interested in teachers who would like to play an important role in these festivals by becoming certified adjudicators. Through NYSSMA festival training sites, expert coordinators instruct, observe and certify adjudicators in all applied music areas. Those experienced adjudicators may also receive All-State adjudication certification and a second area certification. Once the Assignor of Adjudicators receives a festival date availability form from the judge, NYSSMA certified adjudicators are then assigned to judge at festivals within a driving distance from their homes. Festivals usually run from Friday afternoon until 10:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., although mid-week festivals are sometimes scheduled. Judges are paid at an hourly rate, and also reimbursed for their travel, meals and hotel room. Adjudicators are eligible for a year-end bonus, depending on how many festivals they adjudicate in the calendar year.
Judging certification areas
Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, Strings, Piano, Voice, Jazz 1
All-State Vocal Jazz, All-State Brass, All-State Woodwind, All-State Percussion, All-State Strings, All-State Voice, All-State Jazz
1Requires a primary area certification
Requirements for regular certification in your primary area (instrument/voice)
1. A bachelors degree in music
2. Two complete years teaching music
3. Membership in MENC/NYSSMA
Requirements for regular jazz certification
All requirements above, plus having certification in your primary instrument
Requirements for second certification
All requirements above, plus having certification in your primary instrument
Requirements for All-State Certification
1. NYSSMA certification
2. Three festival seasons experience
3. Adjudicating at a minimum of 6 evaluation festivals in their certification area
4. No unresolved adjudicator evaluations
Application for Training
In the December/January/February School Music News, an announcement of training festival sites and dates will be found. You will find the application on this web site. Training sites are usually held in March and April in different parts of the state. Applications are completed and sent to the Director of Adjudicators. Once you are approved and attend the seminar, you will be notified if you pass the training and will send in your available dates for judging. The Assignor of Adjudicators is responsible for making all judging assignments.
Training:
Regular certification training generally runs from Friday from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Second certification training is on Friday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
All-State certification is on Friday from 3 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Becoming a Certified NYSSMA Major Organization Adjudicator
It is NYSSMA's goal to train and certify knowledgeable and articulate adjudicators who can provide clear and perceptive taped and/or written evaluations of bands, orchestras and choirs entering Major Organization Evaluation Festivals.
Requirements:
1. A minimum of eight (8) years of successful teaching/conducting experience in the desired area of certification.
2. Membership in MENC/NYSSMA
3. Presently a NYSSMA certified solo adjudicator
Note: Previous major organization adjudication experience i.e., commercial festivals or college-university conducting could waive the solo certification requirement.Application:
Notices for Major Organization certification seminars are published in the fall and spring issues of the SMN. The application is completed and sent to the Director of Adjudicators for consideration.
Training:
Major Organization adjudicator training takes place at the NYS Summer Music Conference in August and at the NYSSMA Winter Conference in November/December. The training is a six to eight hour workshop with skilled adjudicators who use video taped performances of ensembles for instructional use. Once you have taken the training and have passed the course, you will be assigned to fieldwork as an adjudicator at a Major Organization Festival. Upon satisfactory completion of your field work, you will receive your certification certificate.
David B. Minelli,
Director of Adjudicators
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