Audition Information
General Information
Each student needs to complete this Student Participation Contract before their audiiton will be considered.
Auditions are due before 5:00pm on Friday November 13, 2027
Directors will submit student auditions and pay the $35 audition fee.
Audition Guidelines
Audio ONLY audition recordings (mp3 files only) must be submitted by the director in AuditionHub.org
All required audition material must be included in one file in the following order: Scales, Orchestral Excerpts, Solo Selection (Solo selection is for strings and piano only). Solo selection should be between 2 and 2.5 minutes in length.
There should not be any speaking on the recording. Do NOT announce the student name.
String players may refer to the standard literature lists for solo ideas. Pianists may choose whichever solo they would like. It should showcase technique and musicality. Piano solos are not rated based on difficulty. String solos are rated based on difficulty. Please see our policies page for more information on string solos. It is NEVER a good idea to play a solo that is too hard to earn the points associated with it. Playing a solo that is at your level well gives you the best chance of making All State Orchestra.
Audition recordings must be recorded without accompaniment. Any section recorded with accompaniment will be given 0 points for that section.
Audition recordings must be recorded without an audible metronome. Any section recorded with a metronome will be given 0 points for that section.
Recordings must also be completely unedited with no added “overdubs,” reverb, or pitch correction. You may splice together separate recordings of each scale, excerpt, and solo, but please do not edit the individual elements. This type of editing will be considered a dishonest audition and may forfeit eligibility.
Mp3 files must be compressed at a bitrate of no more than 256 kbps. Files larger than 20MB will not be accepted. Consider that the quality of the audition recording may reasonably affect the perception of the adjudicators.
Students can submit auditions on multiple instruments for no additional fee (ex. a separate audition for flue and piccolo are required.)
Video submissions will not be accepted.
Students will be adjudicated based on the rubric linked on the Auditon Information page. Completed rubrics with feedback will be emailed to the director after the event.
Audition Integrity
All audition recordings must be submitted exactly as performed. Any form of audio editing is strictly prohibited, including but not limed to splicing, cutting, looping, pitch correction, tempo adjustment, doise reduction, added effects, or any other digital alteration. Submission of an edited recording will result in automatic disqualification form the current All-State Orchestra audition process. Additionally, students caught submitting dishonest recordings may be deemed ineligible to audition in the future.
Commitment and Scheduling Expectations
Participation in All-State Orchestra is an honor and a serious commitment. Students who are selected must be present for ALL rehearsals, sectionals, and performances associated with the multi-day event. Students will
Clear their schedule for the entire ASO event weekend
Avoid conflicts with other rehearsals, performances, travel, auditions, and related activities
Attend all required sessions fully prepared and on time
Represent their school and ensemble with professionalism and responsibility
The success of All-State Orchestra depends on the full participation and preparedness of every selected student.
Withdrawal Policy and Consequences
Any student who withdraws after January 1st (except in cases of documented emergency or serious illness, as determined by the director and All-State Board) may be deemed ineligible to participate in future All-State ensembles.
Additionally, in the event of a withdraw after January 1, you and/or your school will be responsible for paying the participation fee of the alternate called upon to fill your place.
Students who are accepted, but choose not to participate must include a clear statement on any musical or academic resume indicating that they were selected for All-State Orchestra but did not participate.
These policies exist to protect the integrity of the ensemble and the opportunites of all students.
Audition Material
Piano
TBD | Please include a 3-4 minute solo of choice
Harp
Harp Audition | No solo is required for harp
Wind, Brass, & Percussion Information
The Audition material is the same as for All State Band. The List of Excerpts can be found here.
Colorado All State Orchestra accepts the standard orchestral instrumentation for both orchestras every year. We may double the standard wind section to help students save chops and perform at their best on the concert. That instrumentation is as follows:
Piccolo and Flute
Oboe
Bb Clarinet (may be asked to double on A)
Bassoon
French Horn
Bb Trumpet
Tenor and Bass Trombone
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion
When a conductor picks pieces that call for specialty instruments, we will accept additional auditions on those instruments. (scroll down for this year’s list!) Examples of those specialty instruments are as follows:
Alto Flute
Eb and A Clarinets
Bass Clarinet
English Horn
Contra Bassoon
Saxophone
Trumpet in C or D
Euphonium
Specialty Percussion Instruments
When specialty instruments are called, the audition material for those instruments is typically the same material as their non-specialty counterpart. For example, when we call for A clarinets, we usually ask students to perform the same material as the Bb Clarinets. If the audition material is different because of range or instrument appropriateness, then we will specify. We encourage students to audition on multiple instruments, and only charge one audition fee per student. If a student is selected for more than one instrument, that student will have to choose which one they want to participate on.
The specialty instrument audition list for 2027 is:
Piccolo
Bass Trombone
English Horn
Contrabassoon
Piano
Celesta
Harp
Students are responsible to provide their own instruments for the All State Weekend. Students are encouraged to work with their directors and private instructors to secure the needed instrument if transposed parts are not available.