All-State Band and Choir

BY EMILY VAUGHAN

All-State is when band/choir students audition for a spot in the prestigious All-State orchestra or choir where they perform with the most talented music students in the entire state. The road to achieving this honor is filled with frustration and dedication, but what exactly does it entail? Ms. Tipple, the Western Dubuque Choir teacher, elaborated on what the choir students needed to do to compete:

 

Emily Vaughan: What do choir students need to do to compete?

 

Tipple: They have to learn seven songs, two in Latin and one in Creole (Haitian) at the Wartburg Camp in August, and they perform the songs [for judges] on Oct. 20. When they are actually there, however, the students find out what section they audition on. It usually varies whether the vocalists audition solo, in pairs, or in an ensemble.

 

EV: Who judges the auditions?

 

T: State-Association approved judges (who undergo certification tests), but the judges are music teachers or professors.

 

EV: Who are they [the choir students] competing against?

 

T: All the kids in the center area, like in Dubuque or Cedar Rapids.

 

EV: How many of your students have made it into All-State?

T: At least two every year or so.

 

EV: How do you pick students to audition?

 

T: I usually suggest it to a group of students I think would be interested, and then it’s their choice whether or not they want to audition.

 

The All-State Orchestra and Band auditions are held on Oct. 7 and is a very different process from the All-State Choir auditions. Mr. Omarzu explained the procedures for band students’ auditions:

 

Emily Vaughn: What do band students need to do to enter?

Omarzu: Play all their scales, play the required etudes, and play a solo of their [the student’s] choice.

 

EV: Who are the judges?

 

O: We never know but usually Iowa band directors.

 

EV: Who are they [the band students] competing against?

 

O: There are six districts, and we are the Northeast District, so they’re competing against students from Cedar Rapids all the way to 1-80.

 

EV: How many of your students have made it into All-State?

 

O: A dozen.