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 | Brandon Burgess bburgess@ntschools.org 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 |
Upcoming Fees Outlook 2027-2030
2026 Conference All-State Notification Deadlines
8/26- School Administration letters will be mailed out
8/27- Students letters will be mailed out
9/4- Chairs will send info to students (electronically)
9/18- Registration/commitment/medical forms due
10/1- All-State Fees Due
10/14- Music sent to Students
2026 Area All-State Festivals
2026 Student Participation Fee: $30
| Event | Date | Location | Chairperson |
| Area All-State Application Window | August 17- 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 |
AAS Application Q&A and ‘Office Hour’ – Wednesday, September 9- 7:30pm
2026 Nomination Directions
2026 Senior High Repertoire and Conductors
2027 Solo Festivals
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 |
| 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 | May 19, 2027 | Lockport HS | Robert Pacillo |
| Choral Majors | TBD | Lancaster HS | Allison Costanzo-Metcalfe |
2026-2027 NYSSMA Manual
There is a NEW online NYSSMA Manual through DaCapo! CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE MANUAL. Bookmark this page!
Here is a helpful video for NYSSMA Manual Login and Activation.
Need Help Registering for, Accessing and Using the Digital NYSSMA Manual? HERE IS A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE! Please read everything CAREFULLY!
Once you are logged in be sure to read through the Quick Start Guide in the Manual.
Read the Rule and Regulations and note any new changes for the year are highlighted.