MMEA All-State Program
Audition Policies & Information

Audition Components
~ Choral
~ Brass and Woodwinds
~ Percussion
~ Strings
~ Jazz - All Instruments

Audition Dates and Sites
Application Forms and Instructions
Materials for Your Students


Audition Components

~ Choral Audition Components
Each vocal student will perform an audition consisting of a solo, sight-reading, voice range check and tonal memory.

Solo An art song of the type and quality which would be suitable for recital or contest performance. The song must be sung from memory. The art song chosen should aid the singer in demonstrating fundamentally good singing technique, proper choral tone, musicianship, as well as showcase the range of the section being auditioned for. A solo that is stylistic in a popular or operatic style should be avoided. Judges are looking for a healthy, free tone that will blend with other singers. Performers should provide their own piano accompanist (no taped accompaniments or electronic pianos).

Two original copies of the solo are required. One must be provided to the judge, and the other to the accompanist. Any student who auditions with anything other than originals will be disqualified from All-State selection, unless written proof is provided to MMEA that the selection is out-of-print or on order (piano scores are permitted).

Sight-reading Each student will be given a reasonable amount of time to study the exercise before beginning. The judge will give the starting note for each exercise. The judge will not set the tempo or assist the student with rhythm, pitch, dynamics or style. These are all part of the sight-reading evaluation.

Voice range check

~ Brass and Woodwind Audition Components
Each brass and woodwind student will perform an audition consisting of a published etude, scales and sight-reading.

Etude The MMEA All-State Etudes are available for download. Etudes are rotated from year to year, and students and directors should ensure they have the correct set. Students should provide their own copy from which to play. Judges will have their own copy. The etude does not need to be memorized.

Scales Prepared scales at the tempo indicated. The scales are available for download.

Sight-reading Each student will be given a reasonable amount of time to study the exercises before beginning. The judge will not set the tempo or assist the student with rhythm, pitch, articulation, dynamics or style. These are all part of the sight-reading evaluation.

~ Percussion Audition Components
Each percussion student will perform an audition consisting of published etudes and sight-reading.

Etude The MMEA All-State Etudes are available for download. Etudes are rotated from year to year, and students and directors should ensure they have the correct set. Students will be expected to play all three etudes - snare drum, timpani and xylophone

~ String Audition Components
Each string student will perform an audition consisting of a solo, a prepared orchestral excerpt, scales and sight-reading. Detailed information about each component is listed below.

Solo To demonstrate the skills requisite for successful performance of All-State repertoire, the solo is to be selected from standard graded repertoire lists with the minimum level being the easiest acceptable level. Students are encouraged to perform their solo at their highest level of skill mastery only.

This solo will be performed without accompaniment. The solo does not need to be memorized. Students playing with the music must bring two original copies of the solo - one for the student and one for the judge. Students playing from memory must bring one original copy for the judge. A piano score is acceptable for the judge.

Any student who auditions with anything other than original copies will be disqualified from All-State selection, unless written proof is provided to MMEA that the selection is out-of-print or on order (piano scores are permitted).

The following pieces are a guide to the minimum and expected levels; any piece of similar level is appropriate. Due to time constraints at the audition, a maximum of 2 minutes of the solo will be heard. Students should consult their teacher to present the portion of the solo that best demonstrates their accomplishments.

For VIOLIN, the minimum level is a concerto by Haydn, Bach or Accolay, or a piece from Suzuki Book Seven. Successful applicants often play the Bruch Concerto, de Beriot Concerto, or de Beriot Scene de Ballet.

For VIOLA, the minimum solo level is Telemann Concerto mvt 2, JC Bach Concerto mvt 1, Vivaldi d minor Concerto (transcribed from violin a minor) or a piece from Suzuki Book Five. Successful applicants often play the Bloch Suite Hebraique mvt 1, Bloch Meditation, or Schumann Fairy Tales.

For CELLO, the minimum solo level is Saint Saens Allegro Appassionato, Faure Elegie, Sammartini Sonata in G, Breval Concerto in D, or a piece from Suzuki Book Eight. Successful applicants often play the Haydn C Major Concerto or Boccherini-Gruetzmacher Concerto.

For BASS, the minimum solo level is Vivaldi Sonatas, Marcello Sonatas, Capuzzi Concerto, and Progressive Repertoire for the Double Bass Volume 3 Book 5 by George Vance. Successful applicants often play the Concerto by Dragonetti, Vanhal or Dittersdorf, Eccles Sonata, Bach Gamba Sonatas or Solo Bach, and Progressive Repertoire for the Double Bass Volume 3 Book 6 by George Vance.

Excerpt Students will prepare the orchestral excerpt for the year. Excerpts will be selected from the standard literature by the MMEA Board and will be available for download. Students will be judged on appropriate tempo, tone, articulation and style in addition to basic accuracy and technique. Students are strongly encouraged to listen repeatedly to a recording of the complete work.

Scales Students will prepare scales at the tempo indicated. The scales are available for download. Scales played at the audition will be a subset of the published list and will be announced on the MMEA website in February.

~ Jazz - Audition Components
Each brass and woodwind will perform the jazz etude, prepared scales, sight-reading and improvisation.

Jazz Etude The MMEA All-State Etudes are available for download. Etudes are rotated from year to year, and students and directors should ensure they have the correct set. Students should provide their own copy from which to play. Judges will have their own copy. The etude does not need to be memorized, and is performed without accompaniment.

Performers should bring their own instruments and amps. Bass players are reminded to bring both acoustic and electric bass for their audition. Vibes or Auxiliary Percussionists need to bring their own congas, bongos or timbales (any one of these pairs). Acoustic piano will be provided.

It is recommended that bass players play the Latin portion of the etude on acoustic bass and the funk hip-hop on electric bass. The vibes or auxiliary percussion etude requires bongos, congas or timbales in the Latin section.

Scales Prepared scales at the tempo indicated. The scales are available for download. Note that the jazz scales are not the same as those for the brass-wind auditions. Scales are not prepared for drum set auditions. Scales are prepared for auxiliary percussion (vibes).

Sight-reading in swing style

Improvisation A compact disk background will be provided from Jamey Abersold's Volume 1 "How to Play Jazz and Improvise". Students can choose either "Bb Blues" or "F Blues."

Students auditioning on drum set will improvise without the CD background and will play a one-minute solo including swing, funk, rock, and Latin with the emphasis on swing. The transitions between each style should be seamless and should be done so by an appropriate fill

Auditions Dates and Sites

Each year, MMEA holds auditions at 18 - 20 sites throughout Minnesota. High schools and colleges generously support our auditions and the chance for students to experience a live audition. The auditions are generally in mid-March.

You can download the 2008 Audition Schedule here.

Application Forms & Instructions

For the 2008 All-State audition, complete applications (student application, director ranking and payment) must be received at the MMEA office by Friday, January 11th for the early deadline ($20 for each audition) or by Friday, February 1st for the final deadline ($35 for each audition).

Registering online will hold an audition slot for your student. Registering early and online makes it more likely that your students will be able to audition at their preferred site. Complete paper applications received by the MMEA office will be treated in the same manner as on-line registrations. Once a site is full, students and directors will be required to select another site and date.

On-line registration for 2008 auditions is live. Click on the links below for online registration pages.
~ Choral on-line registration
~ Winds/Brass/Percussion on-line registration
~ Strings on-line registration
~ Jazz on-line registration

Audition Application - Each student should complete the audition application form. Indicate the specific instrument or voice in the space provided. If a student is auditioning for more than one ensemble or on more than one instrument, a separate application form, fee and ranking sheet is needed for each audition. Two signatures are required on the audition application, the student and student's parent or guardian. Please do not staple checks to the application form.

Director's Ranking Form - Rank students on the director's ranking form. Use a separate ranking form for each of the four audition types (Choral, Jazz Ensemble, Strings, Winds and Percussion). Rankings will be confidential.

Directors are not required to rank their students, but this information is helpful in the selection process. It may be used when two students tie for a position, or when a school is above the maximum number of students to participate.

Audition Fee Payment - Scholarship funds are not available for student audition fees. Payment must be received by the deadline dates listed above and must be paid in full. Make checks payable to MMEA.

For the 2008 auditions, absolutely no applications will be accepted after February 1, 2008. Send all materials to: MMEA Auditions, 6860 Shingle Creek Parkway, Suite 103, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430.

Materials for Your Students

Tips for a Successful Choral Audition
Tips for a Successful Instrumental Audition
Audition Statistics (2007 students auditioned and accepted for each instrument and voice type)

More about All-State
About All-State
Who is Eligible to Participate?
Auditions - Components, Scheduling, and Forms (current page)
How Students are Selected for the All-State Ensembles
Now You've Been Selected - What is the All-State Commitment?
History of All-State
Current Information - Letters and Links