The Beginner's Guide

(or old dog's refresher)

to All State Auditions

The Maine All-State Music Festival is an auditioned event which occurs each year in the spring. Students are auditioned individually in the fall, and the highest scoring students are selected to come together to form "all-star" teams in band, orchestra, and chorus, rehearse for three days, then put on the most spectacular concert high school students will ever experience.

1. By the first day of school, you should know:
   1. The list of audition pieces for this year.
   2. Where to obtain those pieces.
   3. At which site(s) you will be auditioning.
   4. The date(s) you will be auditioning.
   5. The registration deadlines for the sites.
   6. The audition fee and approximate festival fee.
   7. The date of the festival.
   8. Any conflict in dates on your whole school master calendar with either auditions or the festival.
   9. The names and contact information of the people in charge of all aspects of the auditions and the festival.
2. As soon as possible, you should:
   1. Identify those students who are enthusiastic, quality team players.
   2. Inform the person in charge of transportation of all the dates.
   3. Put all the dates on your whole school master calendar.
   4. Put all the dates on your personal calendar.
   5. Obtain any audition pieces you believe you will need.
3. Once you have identified candidates you should:
   1. Provide them with the audition piece as soon as possible.
   2. Find out what else will be required of the student at the audition.
      1. (scales, sight-reading, techniques, etc.)
   3. Work out a reasonable practice schedule.
      1. (it is strongly urged that you include mock auditions at your school)
4. Just before the registration deadline you should:
   1. Narrow down your candidates to those you feel have prepared well.
   2. Obtain permission slips (and audition fees) from your students.
   3. Make Purchase Order arrangements for the audition fees if applicable.
   4. Fill out and submit the scheduling form(s) ahead of the deadline.
   5. Notify transportation how many students will be going.
   6. Notify your central office.
5. After you receive your audition schedule you should:
   1. Arrange a reasonable transportation schedule.
   2. Arrange for chaperones for all students.
   3. Notify students, parents, transportation, and central office.
   4. Follow up on any Purchase Order requests for audition fees.
6. On the audition day, you should:
   1. Ensure your fees have already been paid for your entire school system or you have the check in hand.
   2. Arrive at the audition site early.
   3. Leave your students on the bus, and come by yourself to registration.
   4. Pick up any additional info you need, then off-load your students to the warm-up areas.
   5. Make yourself available in the warm-up areas at all times.
   6. Keep your students as calm and organized as possible.
7. When your students are accepted, you should: (8/13/02)
   1. Collect and return Acceptance Forms ASAP
   2. Read all materials carefully.
   3. Copy all materials for students and parents.
   4. Collect permission slips and fees as soon as possible.
   5. Notify transportation and central office.

All festival requirements are dependent upon the location, schedule, and other specifics at that time. The best you can do is to read all information as carefully and thoroughly as possible, and if there is still something you are not sure about, contact your district representative for help.