Who it's for: Students in grades 3–12
When: Spring
What it is: Students perform a solo or small ensemble for a certified NYSSMA judge and receive a score and written feedback.
Special Note: Three Village hosts its own NYSSMA festival each year, making it especially convenient for our families.
Who it's for: Advanced string players (grades 5–12)
When: Winter
What it is: Selected students join an honors orchestra and work with a guest conductor for a weekend of rehearsals, ending in a concert.
Who it's for: Students in grades 5–10 (band, chorus, orchestra)
When: Spring
What it is: Students are nominated by their teachers, based on day-to-day performance and NYSSMA scores, to participate in All-County honor groups. These groups rehearse for several days and perform in a public concert.
Additional Opportunities: SCMEA also hosts "Day-of" Festivals like Day of Percussion, Day of Jazz, and PEAK Festival—fun, educational one-day events that celebrate specific musical areas.
Who it's for: Advanced high school students (grades 11–12)
When: Fall
What it is: NYSCAME selects top student musicians in Suffolk County to perform in elite All-County ensembles. Selection is based on NYSSMA scores and teacher recommendation.
Who it's for: Top student musicians across New York State (grades 11-12)
When: December (Winter Conference in Rochester, NY)
What it is: The most advanced performers are selected for state-wide honor ensembles. Students rehearse with top conductors and perform in a prestigious concert. Selection is based on All-State audition scores and teacher recommendation.
Who it's for: Selected students from 11 Eastern states (usually after All-State)
When: Spring
What it is: This honors ensemble brings together the most outstanding student musicians from the eastern U.S. for a regional conference and performance.
Below are some of the prestigious performing ensembles of which many of our Three Village musicians are a part, outside of their school music ensembles. We have provided links for you to explore each of these organizations and learn more about the opportunities they offer, various audition requirements, and more. Students and parents are also encouraged to speak with their school music teachers to determine which of these might be the right fit
Nassau‑Suffolk Performing Arts
Website: nassausuffolk.org
Founded in 1994, this non‑profit offers advanced concert band, jazz band, and vocal jazz ensembles, giving talented Long Island student musicians additional rehearsals and performance opportunities outside school programs
Long Island Youth Orchestra (LIYO)
Website: liyo.org
Established in 1962, LIYO brings together highly dedicated young players to rehearse and perform challenging orchestral repertoire—including annual summer tours—beyond what they typically encounter in school ensembles.
Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York (MYO)
Website: myo.org
Founded in 1993 and now serving over 800 students across seven orchestras and eight choirs, MYO provides high‑level choral and orchestral experiences with distinguished artists, plus opportunities like Carnegie Hall concerts and international tours
Brookhaven Art & Music (BAM)
Website: brookhavenartandmusic.org
Serving Suffolk County, BAM offers youth orchestras, chamber ensembles, a newly expanded band and wind ensemble, plus summer music camps—with NYS‑certified instructors and performance events that support broad musical growth
Gemini Youth Orchestras
Website: https://gyo.org/
Gemini Youth Orchestras provides a tiered orchestral program for student musicians from elementary through pre‑college levels, featuring entry‑level string groups up to a fully instrumented symphony and wind ensemble. Audition-based placement, NYSSMA‑level progression, professional conductors and coaches