Zone 1 Representative
Patrick Towey
Kenmore West High School
33 Highland Parkway
Buffalo, NY 14223
zone1@nyssma.org 716-472-1989
**Please reach out to school music teachers before emailing the Zone Rep**
TEACHERS…
Please fill out this form to be included on Zone 1 communications
Presidents of Affiliate Counties
| Cattaraugus | Chautauqua | Erie | Niagara |
| Lauren Kirchner lkirchner@portvillecsd.org CCMTA Homepage | Marc Lentsch ccmtapresident@gmail.com CCMTA Facebook Page | Todd Macon tmacon@ecmea.org ECMEA Homepage | Amanda Burdick aburdick@lew-port.com NCMEA Homepage |
2026-2027 School Participation Fees
| School Enrollment | School Participation Fee |
| 1-250 | $250 |
| 251-500 | $500 |
| 501-1000 | $750 |
| 1001-1500 | $1,000 |
| 1501-2500 | $1,250 |
| 2501-5000 | $1,500 |
| 5001-10000 | $1,750 |
| 10,000+ | $2,000 |
2026-2027 Solo Festival Calendar
Solo/Ensemble Fee Schedule
Solo & Ensemble – Levels 1-4 – $20
Solo & Ensemble – Levels 5-6 – $30
All State – $36
Piano – Levels 1-4 – $26
Piano – Levels 5-6 – $36
| Event | Date | Location | Chairperson |
| Area All-State Application Deadline | September 18, 2026 | ——– | ———– |
| JH Area All-State | November 6-7, 2026 | Akron Central School | Brendon Bardo |
| SH Area All-State | November 20-21, 2026 | SUNY Fredonia | Kevin Duncan |
| Solo Festival (ASE, no jazz, no piano) | April 17, 2027 | Lewiston-Porter MS | Amanda Burdick |
| Solo Festival (ASE, AS IJ and VJ, Piano) | April 23-24, 2027 | Kenmore East HS | Jill Neuhaus |
| Solo Festival (ASE, Piano, no jazz) | May 7-8, 2027 | Salamanca HS | Lauren Kirchner |
| Solo Festival (ASE, Piano, no jazz) | May 21-22, 2027 | Jefferson MS (Jamestown) | Gina Wakefield |
| Solo Festival (No All State SE, ) | June 4-5, 2027 | Orchard Park MS | Brad Carson |
| Piano ONLY Solo Festival | June 5, 2027 | West Seneca CSD | Charlene Brooks |
2027 Major Organization Festivals
Major Organization Fee Schedule
Majors—Level 1-3 (30 min.) $210
Majors—Level 4 (35 min.) $245
Majors—Level 5-6 (45 min.) $315
| Event | Date | Location | Chairperson |
| Instrumental Majors | April 21-22, 2027 | Springville-Griffith Institute | Joe Gervase |
| Instrumental Majors | May 26, 2027 | Fredonia HS | Andrew Bennett |
| Instrumental Majors | June 2-3, 2027 | North Tonawanda HS | Sarah Roberts |
| Instrumental Majors | TBD | Frederick Law Olmstead | Thomas Mudd |
| Choral Majors | Lockport HS | Robert Pacillo | |
| Choral Majors | TBD | Lancaster HS | Allison Costanzo-Metcalfe |
2026 Student Showcase Applications
| Showcase | Application Deadline | Chairperson | Application Link |
| Piano Showcase (grades 4-11) | July 11th | piano@nyssma.org | CVENT |
(grades K-12) | comp@nyssma.org | $36- one piece $72- two pieces | |
comp@nyssma.org | $36- one song $72- two songs | ||
(grades K-12) | comp@nyssma.org | $36- one piece $72- two pieces | |
(grades 10 and 11 ONLY) | williamsl@oacsd.org | $36 application fee |
NYSSMA Manual
This year’s manual is digital. For any questions or concerns, reach out to Andy Kittleson at manual@nyssma.org.
Need Help Using the Digital NYSSMA Manual? Click HERE for assistance.
Read the rule and regulations and note any new changes for the year are highlighted.