The all-state band is comprised of students from all over the state who perform together one weekend in March in Athens. The students are chosen through a series of auditions. Only the top students in the state get to perform in this great group.
There are two different auditions, the first is a district round and the second is the final state-level audition. Students must pass with a minimum score on the district level to proceed to the state level.
Minimum scores are as follows:
Flute, Soprano Clarinet, Alto Sax: 85
Trumpet, oboe, tenor and bari sax: 80
Percussion: 85 on two instruments, 70 on third (mallets, timp, snare)
All others: 70
District level: Saturday, December 6, 2014 Pickens Middle School,
Final level: Saturday, January 10, 2015 in Perry, GA
Parents are responsible for transportation to all auditions.
February 26-February 28, 2015; Athens
District Band is comprised of the top students from the district auditions. Not all students who make district band will proceed to the final round. District band will be held on February 6-7, 2015 at Pinecrest Academy here in Forsyth. Students will rehearse Friday and Saturday and parents are invited to attend the concert on Saturday afternoon. This event will have a fee although details at this time are unknown. This money is not due until after the December audition.

All scales and etudes can be found on the following website: www.gmea.org
Go to “Band Division” (left side) and then click on “All-State Band” then click on “All-
State Band Middle School scales and etudes”. They are also stapled to this sheet.
 scales memorized exactly as they are on the page, including correct order and articulations.
 the lyrical etude, does not have to be memorized.
 Chromatic scale memorized . Ranges are as follows: o Flute: low C to high F o Soprano Clarinet: low E to high D o Bass Clarinet: low E to high A o All Saxes: low C to high D o F horn: low F to high F o Trumpet/ Baritone TC: low F# to high G o Trombone/ Baritone BC: low E to high F o Tuba: low E to high F

One sight-reading exercise
Snare Drum: Rudiments to be played in an open-close-open rudimental presentation fashion:
Middle School - Long Roll (Double stroke), Flam Accent, Drag, and student ’ s choice.
Keyboard Percussion: Chromatic scale, full range of instrument; major scales and arpeggios as noted below by grade level:
 Middle School Scale Requirements: concert F, Bb, Eb, and Ab major, 2 octaves each, memorized, using the same rhythm pattern and tempo as required of middle school woodwind and brass scales/arpeggios.
Timpani: Tune Timpani to Sight-reading Pitches
Single Stroke Roll, slow to fast to slow (either drum)
Forte-Piano Roll with crescendo (either drum)
Sight-read a piece

Dear Parents and students:
Auditioning for all-state requires extensive individual practice outside of the regular band class. Private lessons are HIGHLY recommended . Smartmusic is a great tool to practice with at home www.makemusic.com
. Students need to commit to at least 20 minutes of practice every day to have a chance of success on this audition. Students will perform by themselves in front of 2 judges who are behind a screen. They will be judged on accuracy, speed, smoothness and tone quality.
The student is responsible for learning the correct material and performing it for me a minimum of 3 times before the audition. Only students who are fully prepared will be allowed to audition.
I will open the band room on Monday mornings for all-state practice only beginning at 8:00AM.
Please check your calendar now to confirm the availability of the dates for your family. The one-time audition fee of $20 is non-refundable. Students who wish to audition on two instruments (does not include percussion) must pay $20 per instrument.
Please sign and return the form below by
Please make all checks payable to OMS.
Student Name__________________________________
Instrument(s)___________________________________
I have read and understand all of the requirements and responsibilities for the all-state audition.
Total amount enclosed________________
___cash
___check (ck#________)
_________________________
Student signature
____________________________
Parent signature