Amityville orchestras earn top ratings at NYSSMA Festival
The Amityville School District is proud to announce that its secondary-level orchestras earned top honors at this year’s New York State School Music Association Major Organization Assessment Festival.
The Edmund W. Miles Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade Orchestra received a Gold rating for its Level 2 performance, while the Amityville Memorial High School Orchestra earned a Gold with Distinction rating for its Level 4 performance. At the festival, ensembles may receive a Certificate of Participation, Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Gold with Distinction rating. Participation levels range from Level 1, the least difficult, through Level 6, the most challenging.
According to NYSSMA assessment guidelines, a Gold rating is awarded to organizations that demonstrate “an outstanding level of technical and artistic skill” across evaluated categories including tone, intonation, balance, technique, accuracy, rhythm and interpretation, with only minimal weaknesses noted. A Gold with Distinction rating is awarded to ensembles that meet the Gold rating standard while achieving an exceptional level of performance across all three musical selections.
These achievements reflect the talent, commitment and perseverance of Amityville’s student musicians, as well as the strength of its music program. The district congratulates all participating student musicians and their teacher, Ms. Bianca Ferrante, for their dedication, hard work and outstanding accomplishments.
