Being selected to an All-State ensemble is considered the highest honor a high school musician can receive. Each high school is allowed to send 30 students to audition. Each audition center has a limited number of spots for each instrument. Auditions will occur on Saturday, October 26 at Indianola High School. This is an ACT Test Date, and we will not have any flexibility in your scheduling. If you are auditioning for All-State AND taking the ACTs, please choose an alternate date.

You can find all of the audition information below or at the IHSMA website: http://ihsma.org/all_state_audition_info2013.shtml#band or below:

The instrumentation of the All-State Band is as follows:

All brass and woodwind entries are required to audition in the following manner:

• Play a solo of choice (need not be memorized) unaccompanied. The length of the segment you choose should be approximately 1 minute in length; maximum of 1:20.
• Play the etudes listed below.
• Play any of the MAJOR scales memorized in two or more octaves where possible,ascending and descending. MAJOR scales must be performed in 16th notes at a metronome speed of quarter note = 88. A Metronome will be used to establish tempo. Major scales must be performed all tongued ascending and all slurred descending OR all slurred ascending and all tongued descending. NO OTHER ARTICULATION VARIATION WILL BE ACCEPTABLE!! Either of the following rhythm patterns is acceptable: 
• Play a chromatic scale over the complete range of the instrument, ascending and descending. Chromatic scales must be performed in 16th notes at a MINIMUM tempo of quarter note = 88. No specific articulation pattern is required.
• To insure instrumentation for piccolo, the following will apply: All 1st Flutes in band and orchestra will be required to audition on piccolo as well as flute on Thursday at ISU as a part of the chair placement procedure. Failure to comply with this requirement will automatically place those students at the bottom of the 1st Flute section.
• To insure instrumentation for English Horn parts, the following will apply: All Oboes have been given first and second oboe parts for the All-State band or orchestra. All players will have the possibility to be the first chair oboe player in the All-State Band or orchestra. First and second oboe part assignments will be designated after the chair placement auditions in Ames. To be considered for the first oboe part students must audition on English Horn. The English Horn chair may be rotated through the festival.
• To insure instrumentation for Eb Clarinet parts, the following will apply: All 1st Clarinets in band will be required to audition on Eb Clarinet as well as Bb Clarinet (if parts exist) on Thursday at ISU as a part of the chair placement procedure. Failure to comply with this requirement will automatically place those students at the bottom of the 1st Clarinet section.

2013 IOWA ALL-STATE BAND AUDITION ETUDES

• Flute: Selected Studies for Flute by Voxman: Pub. By Rubank, p. 8 & p.56
• Oboe: Selected Studies for Oboe by Voxman: Pub. by Rubank, p. 12 & p. 34
• Clarinet Bb: Selected Studies for Clarinet by Voxman: Pub. by Rubank, p. 28 & p. 40
• Clarinet (Alto, Bass, & Contra): Advanced Studies from the Works of J. Weissenborn: arr. Rhoads, Pub. by Southern, #16 (p. 12) & #17 (p. 13)
• Bassoon: Method for Bassoon by J. Weissenborn,#21 (p.129), & #30 (p. 136)
• (NEW BOOK as of 2011) – Catalogue #CU96
• Saxophone: Selected Studies for Saxophone by Voxman: Pub. by Rubank, p. 12 & p. 38
• Trumpet: Selected Studies for Trumpet by Voxman: Pub. by Rubank, p. 27 & p. 46
• (Trumpet players selected for the All-State Orchestra are expected to perform on a trumpet, not a cornet.)
• French Horn: Preparatory Melodies to Solo Work by Pottag: Pub. by Belwin, #32 (p. 12), #41 (p. 16) & #72 (p. 29)
• Trombone & Euphonium: Selected Studies for Trombone by Voxman: Pub. by Rubank p. 7 & p. 50
• All Euphoniums, both treble and bass clef, must play the trombone etudes. These may be rewritten into treble clef, if desired. The Concert Key (Sounding Pitch) must be maintained.
• Bass Trombone: 24 Studies for Bass Trombone-Grigoriev/Ostrander: Pub. By International Music: #4 (p. 5) & #19 (p.21) NOTE: In order to audition for this position, players must use an instrument with the minimum equipment of an “F” attachment and a .525 or larger bore size. Equipment not meeting this standard is not acceptable and the student will not be allowed to audition!
• Tuba: 70 Studies for BB Tuba by Blazhevich, Vol. No. 1: Pub. by Robert King: #18 (p.17) & #25 (p. 24) (If selected for participation, All-State Tuba Players are expected to use/borrow an upright tuba as opposed to a bell-front tuba or sousaphone.)
• Percussionists: The All-State percussion audition will consist of the following:
  • Solo or etude of choice performance on the percussion instrument (snare drum, timpani, or keyboard percussion) which represents the performance medium of greatest skill, talent, and confidence. THE SOLO/ETUDE IS NOT TO EXCEED ONE MINUTE, THIRTY SECONDS IN LENGTH.
  • Basic Technique Snare Drum:
    • Play a multiple bounce (orchestral) roll at the performers maximum controlled speed from soft to loud to soft.
    • Play a double stroke (rudimental) roll from slow to fast to slow at a constant volume.
    • Demonstrate proper grip and stroke.
    • Demonstrate correct tone to include tuning of batter and snare heads, proper snare strainer tension, proper playing area, and choice of sticks.
  • Keyboard Percussion:
    • Play any of the major scales, ascending and descending, two octaves (memorized) in 16th notes at a set metronome tempo of quarter note = 88. Either of the following patterns is acceptable: 
    • Play a chromatic scale (memorized) the full range of the instrument, ascending and descending, in 4 – 16th notes at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 88.
    • Demonstrate proper grip and stroke.
    • Demonstrate correct tone to include proper playing area and choice of mallets.
  • Timpani: [Tuning gauges are not to be used.]
    • Perform a glissando roll ascending and descending through the full range of the drum chosen.
    • Tune to a required pitch chosen by auditor.
    • Demonstrate proper grip and stroke.
    • Demonstrate correct tone to include proper playing area and choice of mallets.
  • Crash Cymbals:
    • Perform crashes at various volume levels.
    • Demonstrate proper angle/position/grip.
  • Tambourine:
    • Perform shake and thumb rolls.
    • Demonstrate correct tone to include proper angle, grip, and stroke
  • Required etudes for snare drum, timpani, and keyboard percussion:
    • Snare: Portraits in Rhythm by Cirone: Pub. by Belwin, #35 (p.38)
    • Timpani: Fundamental Method for Timpani by Peters: Pub. By Alfred, #10 (p.138) and # 35 (p. 159)
    • [2 Timpani (pitch changes)]. (TUNING GAUGES ARE NOT TO BE USED!)
    • Mallet: Masterpieces for Marimba by McMillan: Pub. by Warner Bros. (p.14-15) Play B to the end.
  • NEW IN 2010:
    • Crash Cymbals (for Recall round only): Iowa Percussive Arts Society Etude #3, available on the IHSMA website.
    • Tambourine (for Recall round only): Iowa Percussive Arts Society Etude #2, available on the IHSMA website.