Nightingale’s Chamber Chorus returned from its NYSSMA performance with a rare and meaningful honor: a Gold Rating with Distinction, one of the highest recognitions an ensemble can receive through the New York State School Music Association’s adjudication process.

At NYSSMA Major Organization Evaluation Festivals, school bands, choruses, and orchestras perform for trained adjudicators, receiving feedback designed to support continued musical growth. For Chamber Chorus, the experience reflected months of focused preparation, collaboration, and artistic development.

To earn a Gold rating, an ensemble must “demonstrate an outstanding level of technical and artistic skill in every category for every song performed.” Adjudicators may also award Gold with Distinction to ensembles that not only qualify for Gold, but achieve a standard of performance deemed exceptional in every piece. It is a rare recognition—and one that speaks to the maturity, discipline, and artistry of this group of singers.

“Chamber Chorus has three class meetings in the 10-day cycle, which is simply not enough time to learn and memorize a challenging three-song program at the highest level,” said Director of Performing Arts and Director of Choral Programs Michael Goede. “This Gold with Distinction is a direct result of the students’ choice to go above and beyond, including sacrificing their own time for intensive Saturday rehearsals. Mastering a complex, multilingual program in Latin, English, and French required a level of intellectual and emotional maturity that was palpable on stage. Their performance wasn’t just a display of musical nuance; it was a demonstration of the profound growth and confidence that come when students take full ownership of their craft and push past every obstacle.”

After months of preparation, students felt that same sense of shared purpose when they arrived at NYSSMA. “Once we entered the room and stood on the risers, I looked around and felt a strong sense of unity among all of us,” said Violet S. ’27. “No matter the outcome, we were proud of all the effort we had put in, and shared one goal: to show all of our hard work and do the best we could.”

On performance day, Chamber Chorus sang with grace, energy, connection, and confidence, offering some of its strongest work of the year. The students brought sophistication and nuance to their program, then left the performance space with smiles, hugs, gratitude, and the group’s traditional post-performance selfie.

For the students, the recognition was meaningful not only because of the rating, but because of what it represented. “Receiving Gold with Distinction was not only a reflection of our musical ability, but also the commitment, teamwork, and trust we built as a choir,” Violet S. ’27 said.

The achievement reflects not only the talent of the students, but also the depth of support behind them. Over the course of four months, members of the performing arts department helped guide and prepare the singers, while faculty and staff across the school supported them through rehearsals, scheduling conflicts, and the many small adjustments that made the experience possible.

The community will have a chance to hear the program Chamber Chorus performed at NYSSMA, along with many other Upper School musical offerings, at the Upper School Spring Concert on Thursday, May 14, at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium.